Avocados Are the Winners Again But There's One Fruit You Should Not Eat!...The Dirty Dozen & The Clean Fifteen, 2014

Yes, avocados, consistently, have the least amount of pesticide residue on them but beware of conventional apples! To find out the status of the rest of he fruits and vegetables, take a look at this years list: The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen, 2014

Organic produce can still be more expensive, even though some stores actually have certain items labeled with the same, or even lower prices than their conventional varieties. This is wonderful news and it's due to the higher and higher demand for organic foods, which allows for the cost to come down. Better yet, if you visit your local farmers market, chances are, you'll be able to pick up all of your favorites for a lot less and, most likely, they will be organic, or at least pesticide-free! Still, for those days when you can't find organic varieties or they are just too expensive for your budget, here's how to make a decision as to when to spend the extra dollar and when it's less of a worry to go with the conventional version because the have less pesticides on them.

….the lists are out and the fruits and vegetable on them are very similar to those on the lists from previous years so, if you've been shopping with them in mind, you will not need to get used to a lot of different items.

The Dirty Dozen*, Plus...

1.  Apples

2.  Strawberries   

3.  Grapes    

4.  Celery 

5.  Peaches

6.  Spinach     

7.  Sweet Bell Peppers

8.  Nectarines (imported)

9.  Cucumbers      

10. Cherry Tomatoes

11.  Snap Peas (imported)           

12. Potatoes 

13. Hot Peppers  

14. Blueberries (domestic)

15. Lettuce  

16. Kale & Collard Greens

 ...and The Clean 15

 1.  Avocados           

 2.  Sweet Corn**

 3.  Pineapples

 4.  Cabbage 

 5.  Sweet Peas (frozen)

 6.  Onions

 7.  Asparagus 

 8.  Mangoes 

 9.  Papayas             

10. Kiwi

11. Eggplant           

12. Grapefruit             

13. Cantaloupe 

14. Cauliflower    

15. Sweet Potatoes         

*NOTE: Forty-eight produce items were examined by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for pesticide residue. The "Dirty Dozen" is simply the top 12 of that list, meaning, highest in pesticide residue and the "Clean Fifteen" are those starting at the bottom of the list, with the least amount of chemicals left on them.

**If you live in the U.S. almost all corn (~ 85 %) you will find is Genetically Modified (GMO). Unless it's certified organic, you won't know whether what you're buying has or hasn't had its DNA "tempered with". Therefore, even though they're on the "clean" list, I don't recommend conventional corn....due to a lack of regulations. 

There are a lot of people working really hard on changing this and make it into a law to label GMO produce. Please take your time and do some research and consider signing petitions for the sake of your and the planet's health. There are a number of them to sign at:

http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/take-action#

Produce list reference: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list/

Proposition 37: Label GMO Foods!

Let's just say I have never been a huge fan of politics and that is an understatement. From what I've seen most politicians, if not all, never tell you the truth, or at least not the entire truth. Well, that's why I never think politics is even worth my time. BUT this is something completely different!

The elections are just around the corner and unless you already had your chance to cast your vote early you'll be given the choice to mark little boxes (?) next to propositions, yep, not just who you'd like to be the next president of the United States. And if you're registered to vote in California you'll see Proposition 37 on the list. THAT is the one you want to say YES on. WHY?

Would you eat anything without knowing whether it's been in contact, or has any ingredients from genetically modified (GMO) foods? Chances are, since you're reading an article on this site, that you're aware of at least some of the reasons why it's not a good idea to consume GMO foods but if you still need to be convinced here are a few points that I've collected:

What Does Genetically Modified Mean?
Genetically modified plants have had foreign genes forced into their DNA. These genes come form species like bacteria and viruses and are inserted into plants to help them survive deadly doses of weed killers.

Why Is It Only A Problem Now?
It's not that it was safe before but, as it usually happens, political appointees who were under orders from the White House to promote GMOs did their best to hide the truth from the public. Twenty years ago the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claimed that it had no information showing the dangers of GM foods and that they were safe to consume. Interestingly, Michael Taylor, the former attorney (and later VP) for Monsanto, the largest biotech company, was the FDA official in charge.

Health Risks and Consequences of Genetically Engineered Foods
GMO foods have been linked to toxic and allergic reactions, thousands of sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in laboratory tests performed on animals.

Farmers use a much larger amount of herbicides on GM crops, in other words, GM foods have a much higher amount of herbicide residue.

GM soy cause allergic reactions

BT (made by Monsanto) corn and cotton are linked to allergic reactions

BT cotton is forced on farmers in India and with devastating results. Watch the movie "Bitter Seeds"

GMOs might cause liver problems. It does in laboratory tests. Rats and mice have suffered due to altered liver cells caused by GMO feed.

GMOs also affect the reproductive systems of laboratory animals. How they affect the human body is unpredictable.

The French team has released shocking images of tumours in mice caused by exclusively eating GM corn. However, the research has been criticised as being of 'no value' by other scientists

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2205509/Cancer-row-GM-foods-French-study-claims-did-THIS-rats--cause-organ-damage-early-death-humans.html#ixzz2BJh7CZLp 

BT crops are linked to sterility, disease, and death. Thousands of farm animals in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. have fallen victims to GM foods and Filipinos in several villages got sick when nearby BT corn was pollinating.

DISTURBING: There are no human clinical trials of GM foods. The only published human feeding experiment revealed that the genetic material inserted into GM soy transfers into bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function.

More Relevant Facts
Over 60 countries require labeling of GE foods.
Labeling didn't increase the cost of food in those countries.
About 68% of GM crops are herbicide tolerant. - what do you think that may do to your health?
About 19% of GM crops produce their own pesticide secreted by the inserted genes in every cell. When this pesticide is eaten by a worm its stomach breaks open, killing the worm. - How do you think this might affect your body?
Good news: thousands of California Farmers and all major natural and sustainable food businesses and leading labor groups are saying YES on Proposition 37 : )

Foods That Are Most Likely Genetically Engineered In The U.S.
Soybeans
Corn
Cottonseed
Canola
Sugar beets
Hawaiian papaya
Zucchini
Yellow crookneck squash
GE salmon  is on its way to people's dinner plates too!

Source: Some of the above information I've been aware of for a while and the rest I acquired from a Responsible Technology Flyer.

For more information, go to: www.ResponsibleTechnology.org

Please share this with family and friends for your own health's sake, for the planet, for all of its creatures and to help stop the poison from spreading! 
If you know of additional information that should be included here, feel free to share in a comment below and I'll be happy to add it to the above.

The Dirty Dozen & The Clean Fifteen, 2012

This year's list is out. Certain produce items are "ok" to buy conventional if you need to. You might be trying to save money and pay the extra bucks for some fruits and vegetables but not others, or you might just simply not able to find some of your favorite items among your favorite vendor's layout or in the organic section of the store. "The Dirty Dozen" list has those to insist on being organic and "The Clean Fifteen" list has the ones you may want to choose and decide whether it's something you'd like to save on or whether you should sweat it if you can't find it organic.  

The Dirty Dozen, etc...

1.  Apples

2.  Celery

3.  Sweet Bell Peppers

4.  Peaches

5.  Strawberries 

6.  Nectarines (imported)

7.  Grapes (imported)

8.  Spinach

9.  Lettuce 

10. Cucumber 

11. Blueberries (domestic)

12. Potatoes .....Kale & Collard Greens*

 

 ...and The Clean 15

 1.  Onions 

 2.  Sweet Corn**

 3.  Pineapples

 4.  Avocado

 5.  Cabbage 

 6.  Sweet Peas (frozen)

 7.  Asparagus 

 8.  Mangoes 

 9.  Eggplant 

10. Kiwi

11. Cantaloupe (domestic)

12. Sweet Potatoes

13. Grapefruit

14. Watermelon

15. Mushrooms  ......Winter Squash, etc... 

*NOTE: Forty-five produce items are examined by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for pesticide residue. The dirty dozen is simply the top 12 of that list, meaning, highest in pesticide residue and the Clean Fifteen are those starting at the bottom of the list, and so on, with the least amount of chemicals left on them.

**If you live in the U.S. almost all corn (~ 85 %) you will find is Genetically Modified (GMO). Unless it's certified organic, you won't know whether what you're buying has or hasn't had its DNA "messed with". Therefore, even though they're on the "clean" list I don't recommend conventional corn....due to a lack of regulations. 

There are a lot of people working really hard on changing this and make it into a law to label GMO produce. Please take your time and do some research and consider signing the petition for the sake of your and the planet's health.
You may sign at:

http://www.cornucopia.org/2012/08/this-might-be-our-only-chance-for-gmo-labeling-we-can-win-this-one/

Produce list reference: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list/

Yay, No More Plastic Bags!

I get most of my grocery shopping done in Santa Monica at the farmers market and the Co-op. Both of these places have signs up to warn about the new law (Santa Monica Plastic Bag Ban) going into effect on September 1, 2011. Yaaaay, I couldn’t be happier about this! My eyes even welled up when I saw it. To me, it’s a dream come true! I have a friend who will also really appreciate this; you know who you are! : ) What this means is, starting next month, plastic bags are prohibited, paper ones will cost you 10¢ and all retailers (at least so I heard) will stop bagging your new shirt or book or whatever you’re buying…

 “Single-use bags, both paper and plastic, represent a huge threat to the environment. This threat is not only related to the sheer volume of them ending up in landfill, but also to the resources needed to produce, transport and (occasionally) recycle them, and the emissions resulting from these processes. Single-use plastic bags are also well known for their interference in ecosystems and the part they play in flood events, where they clog pipes and drains.”

Plastic (and Paper) Bag Facts
- Approx. 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. That’s more than 1,200 bags per US resident, per year.
- Approx. 100 billion of the 380 billion are plastic shopping bags.
- An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags.
- Only 1 to 2% of plastic bags in the USA end up getting recycled.
- Thousands of marine animals and more than 1 million birds die each year as a result of plastic pollution.
- The United Nations Environment Program estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter floating in every square mile of ocean.
- Plastic bags are often mistakenly ingested by animals, clogging their intestines, which results in death by starvation. Other animals or birds become entangled in plastic bags and drown or can’t fly as a result.
- Even when they photo-degrade in landfill, the plastic from single-use bags never goes away, and toxic particles can enter the food chain when they are ingested by unsuspecting animals.
- Greenpeace says that at least 267 marine species are known to have suffered from getting entangled in or ingesting marine debris. Nearly 90% of that debris is plastic.
- Americans consume more than 10 billion paper bags per year. Approximately 14 million trees are cut down every year for paper bag production.
- Most of the pulp used for paper shopping bags is virgin pulp, as it is considered stronger.
- Paper production requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of water as well as toxic chemicals like sulphurous acid, which can lead to acid rain and water pollution.

What Can I Do to Make a Difference?
I grew up in Europe and whenever we went shopping we took woven baskets and other bags to fill up at the store or market. Whoever didn’t have a bag had to pay a good chunk of change for one! Genius, isn’t it? : )
Well, here are some simple things you can do:
- If you drive, always have a bunch of bags in your trunk. That way even if you didn’t plan on stopping by the grocery store on your way home you will have bags handy.
- Go shopping with your existing bags
- Buy a reusable bag to take with you at all times. You can buy ones that pack into a ball the size of a small apple
- If where you live bags will still be given out and you feel you must take advantage of it then use them for your trash (or reuse them for anything else) instead of buying plastic trash liners.
- For buying produce, either do not use bags, or again, bring your own, or reuse the ones you got before. You may also buy little produce baggies made of natural fibers, such as hemp! What else could you ask for!
On rare occasions, when I already have my bags full or forgot one, I stuff as much of the groceries I buy into my purse as I can and carry the rest in my hands. It really is possible to make a difference! Bag single use bags!

Reference: http://www.envirosax.com/plastic_bag_facts