The Environmental Working Group has released its 2010 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides lists of fruits and vegetables.
Dirty Dozen - buy organic
1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes
Clean Fifteen - lowest in pesticides
1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon
Showing posts with label organic shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic shopping. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
What to buy organic ...
The Environmental Working Group has composed 2 lists to help you decide which produce is worth the extra money to purchase organic - The Dirty Dozen - the 12 foods with the most pesticide residue & The Clean Fifteen - the 15 foods with the lowest levels of pesticide residue. If you can't afford to buy everything organic, be sure at least to purchase organics for the foods that appear on the Dirty Dozen List.
The Dirty Dozen:
1. peaches
2. apples
3. bell peppers
4. celery
5. nectarines
6. strawberries
7. cherries
8. kale
9. lettuce
10. imported grapes
11. carrots
12. pears
The Clean Fifteen:
1. onions
2. avocados
3. corn
4. pineapples
5. mangoes
6. asparagus
7. sweet peas
8. kiwi
9. cabbages
10. eggplants
11. papayas
12. watermelons
13. broccoli
14. tomatoes
15. sweet potatoes
The Dirty Dozen:
1. peaches
2. apples
3. bell peppers
4. celery
5. nectarines
6. strawberries
7. cherries
8. kale
9. lettuce
10. imported grapes
11. carrots
12. pears
The Clean Fifteen:
1. onions
2. avocados
3. corn
4. pineapples
5. mangoes
6. asparagus
7. sweet peas
8. kiwi
9. cabbages
10. eggplants
11. papayas
12. watermelons
13. broccoli
14. tomatoes
15. sweet potatoes
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Pretty Clean Thirteen
As food budgets continue to feel the pinch of the tough economy it is getting harder for some to purchase organic produce. There are many fruits and veggies with a low pesticide use due to their natural defenses against pests or they are grown in climates where pests are not as much of a problem. Here is a list of the pretty clean thirteen - foods you can save on by buying conventional:
1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapples
5. Mangoes
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet peas
8. Kiwi fruit
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
11. Broccoli
12. Eggplant
13. Papayas
1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapples
5. Mangoes
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet peas
8. Kiwi fruit
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
11. Broccoli
12. Eggplant
13. Papayas
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
What to eat organic
Eating organic will reduce your exposure to pesticides, but can be expensive. In these tough economic times, buying organic foods can strain some families' budgets. What can you do? By purchasing organics for the 12 foods with the highest levels of pesticides, you can reduce your exposure to over 90% of the most commonly used pesticides. What to buy organic -
1. Apples
2. Bell peppers
3. Celery
4. Cherries
5. Grapes
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Pears
9. Potatoes
10. Red raspberries
11. Spinach
12. Strawberries
1. Apples
2. Bell peppers
3. Celery
4. Cherries
5. Grapes
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Pears
9. Potatoes
10. Red raspberries
11. Spinach
12. Strawberries
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
What to buy organic
As food prices continue to climb, you may be wondering which organic products are worth splurging on. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit association that tracks pesticide residue levels has a list to help you on your next shopping trip.
1. Fruits: Buy organic when buying apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, blueberries, imported grapes and other fruits without a peel. Save money, and opt for conventional bananas, oranges, lemon and other fruits with thick peels.
2. Vegetables: Buy organic when you're buying spinach, lettuce and leafy greens, bell peppers, potatoes, and carrots. Buy conventional broccoli, asparagus, frozen corn, sweet peas, avocados, and onions as these tend to have lower levels of pesticide residue.
3. Milk & Dairy: Buy organic milk and other dairy products. Organic milk comes from cows that are given pesticide-free organic feed or graze on pesticide-free land.
4. Meat & Poultry: If you can afford it, splurge on organic meat. Buying organic poultry may not be worth it, because the USDA requires that chickens must have access to the outdoors, but doesn't control how much access is necessary for each bird.
5. Seafood. Never spend extra for organic seafood, as there are no standards for organic seafood.
6. Grains: Save some money by buying conventional grains, breads, pastas, chips and similar products. The real benefits of organic products come from fresh foods, since grains are processed they lose much of their organic value anyway.
1. Fruits: Buy organic when buying apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, blueberries, imported grapes and other fruits without a peel. Save money, and opt for conventional bananas, oranges, lemon and other fruits with thick peels.
2. Vegetables: Buy organic when you're buying spinach, lettuce and leafy greens, bell peppers, potatoes, and carrots. Buy conventional broccoli, asparagus, frozen corn, sweet peas, avocados, and onions as these tend to have lower levels of pesticide residue.
3. Milk & Dairy: Buy organic milk and other dairy products. Organic milk comes from cows that are given pesticide-free organic feed or graze on pesticide-free land.
4. Meat & Poultry: If you can afford it, splurge on organic meat. Buying organic poultry may not be worth it, because the USDA requires that chickens must have access to the outdoors, but doesn't control how much access is necessary for each bird.
5. Seafood. Never spend extra for organic seafood, as there are no standards for organic seafood.
6. Grains: Save some money by buying conventional grains, breads, pastas, chips and similar products. The real benefits of organic products come from fresh foods, since grains are processed they lose much of their organic value anyway.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What Does Organic Mean?
You know that you should be buying more organic foods, but why? What does organic really mean?
Organic produce is grown without any herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Organic meat and dairy animals receive no antibiotics or hormones and are raised on organic feed. Organic products cannot be genetically engineered or irradiated. Farming with organic practices improves soil quality, conserves water, increases biodiversity, and reduces chemicals in our earth, water, and air. Organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed.
The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) strictly enforces the use organic labels, so be sure to look for the USDA Organic symbol on organic products you purchase. Here's some guidelines on organic food labels:
100% Organic - all ingredients are produced organically
USDA Certified Organic - products contain 95% or more organic ingredients
Made with Organic Ingredients - made with 70-95% organic ingredients
Organic produce is grown without any herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Organic meat and dairy animals receive no antibiotics or hormones and are raised on organic feed. Organic products cannot be genetically engineered or irradiated. Farming with organic practices improves soil quality, conserves water, increases biodiversity, and reduces chemicals in our earth, water, and air. Organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed.
The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) strictly enforces the use organic labels, so be sure to look for the USDA Organic symbol on organic products you purchase. Here's some guidelines on organic food labels:
100% Organic - all ingredients are produced organically
USDA Certified Organic - products contain 95% or more organic ingredients
Made with Organic Ingredients - made with 70-95% organic ingredients
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Eat Green & Save Some Green
With the price of fuel and food skyrocketing it's time to find ways to make every dollar count. Sometimes it's hard to eat well on a budget as organic items can be expensive. I have gathered some tricks and tips to help you stretch your food dollars while still keeping the environment and your health in mind:
1. Eat locally. Shop your local farmer's market for fresh, in season produce. The markets are always cheaper than grocery stores, you can find unique varieties not found on supermarket shelves, you reduce packaging on your food, you help support farmers in your community, and you will enjoy the freshest most flavorful fruits and veggies money can buy.
2. Cook from scratch. Preparing most items from basic staples, will save you money and will reduce the amount of packaging that your family disposes. By making items like, pancakes, tortillas, bread, treats, etc. you can also eliminate excessive preservatives, fats, and chemical in your family's diet.
3. Plan your meals. Reading sales circulars and buying sales items helps you save money while still making your family's favorite meals.
4. Buy and cook in bulk and then remember to eat the leftovers. By cutting down on the amount of meals you have to cook from scratch you save time and electricity. Bringing leftovers in your brown bag lunch will save money when compared to eating lunch out.
5. Don’t buy too much food. Buying food that goes bad before you'll use it doesn't save money and impacts the planet with extra waste. Plan your meals carefully and use what ingredients are fresh in the fridge. Shop your pantry for items that you already have on hand and plan meals around these items.
6. Quit eating meat. Buying meat can really break the bank and is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing meat with plant-based protein sources, such as beans and lentils you can save money and lighten your footprint. If you can't give up meat completely, decreasing your meat-based meals will help the planet and your pocketbook.
7. Use coupons. Now that organic foods are growing in popularity, so are coupons for these foods. Check your Sunday newspaper for coupons, check your local store for coupon books like Mambo Sprouts, or check the websites of your favorite companies for coupon offers. When using coupons, don't just buy an item because you have a coupon, if your family won't eat the food you've wasted money not saved money.
8. Grow your own food. My family is getting ready to prepare a bed for planting in the fall and we are researching which fruits and veggies will grow best in our area. We have been composting for a year and have some great materials to feed our soil with. Organic seeds are inexpensive and can be found at most garden stores or online.
1. Eat locally. Shop your local farmer's market for fresh, in season produce. The markets are always cheaper than grocery stores, you can find unique varieties not found on supermarket shelves, you reduce packaging on your food, you help support farmers in your community, and you will enjoy the freshest most flavorful fruits and veggies money can buy.
2. Cook from scratch. Preparing most items from basic staples, will save you money and will reduce the amount of packaging that your family disposes. By making items like, pancakes, tortillas, bread, treats, etc. you can also eliminate excessive preservatives, fats, and chemical in your family's diet.
3. Plan your meals. Reading sales circulars and buying sales items helps you save money while still making your family's favorite meals.
4. Buy and cook in bulk and then remember to eat the leftovers. By cutting down on the amount of meals you have to cook from scratch you save time and electricity. Bringing leftovers in your brown bag lunch will save money when compared to eating lunch out.
5. Don’t buy too much food. Buying food that goes bad before you'll use it doesn't save money and impacts the planet with extra waste. Plan your meals carefully and use what ingredients are fresh in the fridge. Shop your pantry for items that you already have on hand and plan meals around these items.
6. Quit eating meat. Buying meat can really break the bank and is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing meat with plant-based protein sources, such as beans and lentils you can save money and lighten your footprint. If you can't give up meat completely, decreasing your meat-based meals will help the planet and your pocketbook.
7. Use coupons. Now that organic foods are growing in popularity, so are coupons for these foods. Check your Sunday newspaper for coupons, check your local store for coupon books like Mambo Sprouts, or check the websites of your favorite companies for coupon offers. When using coupons, don't just buy an item because you have a coupon, if your family won't eat the food you've wasted money not saved money.
8. Grow your own food. My family is getting ready to prepare a bed for planting in the fall and we are researching which fruits and veggies will grow best in our area. We have been composting for a year and have some great materials to feed our soil with. Organic seeds are inexpensive and can be found at most garden stores or online.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Organic Fruits and Veggies
Due to the contamination of fruits and vegetables with pesticides, I highly recommend buying organic. If you are unable to buy all organic, concentrate on the fruits and veggies with the highest levels of pesticides. The following fruits and vegetables consistently have the highest amount of pesticides and you should opt for purchasing organic varieties:
1. Apples
2. Bell peppers
3. Celery
4. Cherries
5. Grapes
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Pears
9. Potatoes
10. Red raspberries
11. Spinach
12. Strawberries
1. Apples
2. Bell peppers
3. Celery
4. Cherries
5. Grapes
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Pears
9. Potatoes
10. Red raspberries
11. Spinach
12. Strawberries
Monday, March 31, 2008
Food Lingo
It can be hard to make informed food choices at the store amid all the "healthy" labels - organic, sustainable, fair trade, natural, free range, hormone free, etc. So what do they all really mean?
Organic- you are guaranteed that products labeled "USDA organic" are at least 95 percent free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and sewage sludge and that they haven’t been genetically modified or irradiated. No hormones or antibiotics are allowed; animals must be fed organically-grown feed and have access to the outdoors.
Sustainable- are crops that are raised in ways that don’t harm the environment, are humane to animals, and support farm workers and farming communities. Not all sustainable foods are organic — most come from small family farms which may not have the resources to get organic certification which is expensive and time-consuming.
Fair Trade - certifies that farmers in developing countries have received a fair price for products like coffee and chocolate which are grown in a sustainable way.
GMO - a genetically modified organism, is one whose genetic material has been deliberately altered. Genes are combined from different organisms and the resulting organism is said to be “genetically modified,” or “genetically engineered." The long term effects of these products are unknown.
Natural - “natural” is not regulated at all, however USDA guidelines state that: “A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color that is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled ‘natural.’ The label must explain the use of the term (such as no added colorings or artificial ingredients; minimally processed).” Thus, natural products should have no artificial preservatives, chemical additives artificial sweeteners, no hydrogenated oils, no GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and no synthetics. They cannot be irradiated. This term certainly does not necessarily mean it is a healthy product, be sure to read the ingredients label - high fructose corn syrup is considered "natural" as it is made from corn.
Locally Grown - refers to crops produced no more than 150 miles from where they’re purchased. The emphasis is on seasonal, fresh produce, meats and dairy products however these crops may have been raised with pesticides.
Antibiotic-Free - an unregulated term which foods are labeled "no antibiotics administered" or "raised without antibiotics," which means animals were raised entirely without these substances. Concerns have been raised that antibiotic use in cattle causes antibiotic resistant bacteria to develop, threatening human health.
Hormone-Free - there are no regulations on this term, however all pork and chicken are raised hormone free as these substances are banned from use when raising pigs and chickens. Controversy surrounds the artificial hormone rBGH which increases milk production, it is banned in most countries due to concerns over its effects on humans and animals.
Free Range - chickens aren’t confined to cages and are granted access to the outdoors, however the USDA only requires limited outdoor time and conditions can still be crowded and dirty. There is no regulation for this term.
Grass-Fed - cattle raised largely on grass and hay are referred to as "grass-fed", however there are no government regulations or inspections required to use this term.
Organic- you are guaranteed that products labeled "USDA organic" are at least 95 percent free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and sewage sludge and that they haven’t been genetically modified or irradiated. No hormones or antibiotics are allowed; animals must be fed organically-grown feed and have access to the outdoors.
Sustainable- are crops that are raised in ways that don’t harm the environment, are humane to animals, and support farm workers and farming communities. Not all sustainable foods are organic — most come from small family farms which may not have the resources to get organic certification which is expensive and time-consuming.
Fair Trade - certifies that farmers in developing countries have received a fair price for products like coffee and chocolate which are grown in a sustainable way.
GMO - a genetically modified organism, is one whose genetic material has been deliberately altered. Genes are combined from different organisms and the resulting organism is said to be “genetically modified,” or “genetically engineered." The long term effects of these products are unknown.
Natural - “natural” is not regulated at all, however USDA guidelines state that: “A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color that is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled ‘natural.’ The label must explain the use of the term (such as no added colorings or artificial ingredients; minimally processed).” Thus, natural products should have no artificial preservatives, chemical additives artificial sweeteners, no hydrogenated oils, no GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and no synthetics. They cannot be irradiated. This term certainly does not necessarily mean it is a healthy product, be sure to read the ingredients label - high fructose corn syrup is considered "natural" as it is made from corn.
Locally Grown - refers to crops produced no more than 150 miles from where they’re purchased. The emphasis is on seasonal, fresh produce, meats and dairy products however these crops may have been raised with pesticides.
Antibiotic-Free - an unregulated term which foods are labeled "no antibiotics administered" or "raised without antibiotics," which means animals were raised entirely without these substances. Concerns have been raised that antibiotic use in cattle causes antibiotic resistant bacteria to develop, threatening human health.
Hormone-Free - there are no regulations on this term, however all pork and chicken are raised hormone free as these substances are banned from use when raising pigs and chickens. Controversy surrounds the artificial hormone rBGH which increases milk production, it is banned in most countries due to concerns over its effects on humans and animals.
Free Range - chickens aren’t confined to cages and are granted access to the outdoors, however the USDA only requires limited outdoor time and conditions can still be crowded and dirty. There is no regulation for this term.
Grass-Fed - cattle raised largely on grass and hay are referred to as "grass-fed", however there are no government regulations or inspections required to use this term.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Produce Stickers
With all the scary news about pesticides and genetically modified food on supermarket shelves, how can you be sure you are buying what's safest for your family? It's simple - check the stickers on the fruit & veggies you buy. The product code stickers found on produce help cashiers determine the price for your produce, but they are even more beneficial for you as a shopper if you understand what they mean.
Four-digit number - conventionally grown.
Five-digit number beginning with 9 - organic.
Five-digit number beginning with 8 - genetically modified.
Be a smart shopper - check those stickers!! :)
Four-digit number - conventionally grown.
Five-digit number beginning with 9 - organic.
Five-digit number beginning with 8 - genetically modified.
Be a smart shopper - check those stickers!! :)
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