“You can’t pick your relatives ” but you can pick your fruits and vegetables. The organic food industry is growing and food manufacturers are becoming more sensitive to the needs of the consumer. We can now buy gluten-free Rice Krispies BUT the rice isn’t organic and there still remains unwanted ingredients. However, it is relatively better and especially for those suffering celiac disease.
Organic food is also relatively better; it’s food the way it was intended to be and was what our great grandparents were able to do in their backyards or near their farmhouses. We could just run into their gardens, yank out a carrot (brush off most of the dirt) and eat it without concern over what was sprayed on it over the previous weeks.
Demand for organic food is growing and whenever possible consumers should opt for this choice. If more people chose organic food the price can eventually come down and even if it’s never quite the same low price as the non-organic equivalent, it’s better in the long run, for our health. Remember that other famous expression, “you are what you eat”. Our bodies depend on what we put into it to accomplish all the amazing things it does on a day-to-day basis. Be kind to it.
In their June 2011 issue, VITAJOURNAL, has compiled a list of items which tend to be high in chemicals and pesticides if not farmed organically. They have also indicated those non-organic foods that are relatively low in contamination. The following “Dirty Dozen” when purchased non-organic, tend to have higher concentrations of chemicals and additives, sometimes up to 47 different varieties!
Celery, Domestic Blueberries, Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Potatoes, Strawberries, Sweet Bell Peppers, Imported Grapes, Apples, Spinach(Kale,Collard Greens), Lettuce
You will be safer buying the following fruits and vegetables, even if they are grown non-organically. These are referred to as the “Clean Fifteen”.
Onions, Sweet Peas, Cantaloupes, Avocados, Asparagus, Watermelon, Sweet Corn, Kiwi Fruit, Grapefruit, Pineapples, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes, Mangos, Eggplants, Sweet Onions
To assist you in your consideration of which produce should be bought organic, and which conventional, consider the following:
- How thick is the outer, protective layer of skin? Ex: mushrooms are like a sponge, so they may be better bought organically, whereas you discard the peel of a banana, so they can be bought conventionally.
- How difficult is it to wash, or do I generally wash this item? You should wash all produce, this reduces, but does not completely eliminate contaminants.
Tasty Raw Kale Salad & Raspberries from Vitajournal June 2011
- 1 bunch of kale, washed and de-stemmed
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, split into two
- 2 tsp sea salt
- Juice from one lemon
- 1 container organic raspberries
- half cup raw goat cheese
- half cup toasted or raw pine nuts
- ¼ cup raw apple cider vinegar
Directions: Take half of the olive oil and the two tsp. of sea salt and mix together in a small bowl. Use that mixture to massage the leaves of the kale. This will soften it so that it tastes much better. Chop kale, add raspberries, pine nuts, and cheese. Toss with the remaining olive oil, vinegar, and lemon and serve!
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