When To Buy Organic Produce

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One of the trickiest things of a healthier lifestyle is making good food choices. Eating more "whole" foods, leaner meats, more fruits, veggies and grains. A natural thought is to lean towards the organic choices - but it can wreak havoc on your wallet!
It tends to cost a little more to buy the organic version of an item than buying the "non - organic" version.

What does "Organic" mean?

“Organic” is a designation used by the USDA National Organic Program to certify food that is produced without synthetic chemicals or fertilizers, genetic engineering, radiation or sewage sludge. (I know - EWW!)

It helps to know WHEN to buy Organic items and when you really don't need to.

Not everyone knows about the "dirty dozen" items that are usually high in pesticides - the items you want to avoid as they tend to increase your chances of certain kinds of cancers and other diseases. It's ironic as you eat more fresh produce to PREVENT that from happening and the stuff they use to help grow it defeats that purpose! These are the items you want to eat the organic versions of -- as some of them can have up to 47 different pesticides on them, some as many as 65!

•celery
•peaches
•strawberries
•apples
•domestic blueberries
•nectarines
•sweet bell peppers
•spinach, kale and collard greens
•cherries
•potatoes
•imported grapes
•lettuce

All the produce on “The Clean 15” bore little to no traces of pesticides, and is safe to consume in non-organic form. This list includes:

•onions
•avocados
•sweet corn
•pineapples
•mango
•sweet peas
•asparagus
•kiwi fruit
•cabbage
•eggplant
•cantaloupe
•watermelon
•grapefruit
•sweet potatoes
•sweet onions

What is the difference in the lists?
Some items have a protection defense because of the outer layer of skin. Not the same for strawberries and berries...you simply can't wash those items and remove all the pesticides. You can reduce the amount that is on there to lower your exposure.

I hope this helps you figure out where to focus your precious grocery budget when you are considering what to buy...we are lucky in Wisconsin with so many great CSA farms! Locally grown, fresh, Organic produce that can cover most items on the Dirty Dozen list while you directly support your local economy. What a win-win situation!

We have had fun picking cherries off our tree, strawberries at the Jen-Ehr farm, apples at Zickert's orchard, and enjoying greens from our own garden....making family memories as we went along. It is easier than you think to do.

Blessings -
Dannelle

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