Produce and Pesticides

Buy Organic
According to Environmetal Working Group, here are 10 produce items that are highest in pesticides:

Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes


Buy Conventional, If You Choose
Here are 10 produce items that are lowest in pesticides:

Avocado
Sweet corn (frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Asparagus
Kiwi
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Eggplant

You can download a wallet-size list here:

Environmental Working Group Pesticides in Produce Shopper's Guide

Ignorance is Bliss, Part 2

Do you want to know where your food comes from? Really?

I finally got around to watching Food, Inc. If you want to know where your food comes from, watch it.

This documentary is not gory, does not shame, is not about weight loss or removing meat from your diet. In my view, the movie is about the relationship between our food system, government and what is on our plates.

Just like the option of reading nutrition labels in the grocery store or about reading the nutrition information for your favorite restaurants, this movie is one way to educate yourself about how your food purchases effect your health, the environment, worker's rights and the economy.

If you want to make more informed decisions for yourself, check it out.

Meatless Mondays-Where Style, Nutrition and Go-Green Collide

I read and subscribe to several online newsletters and blogs. I am an information junkie. Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of information shared about Meatless Mondays. I saw a posting on GOOP (Gwyneth Paltrow's website) and on CrazySexyLife (an online community about healthy living) and even on Oprah (no explanation necessary).

Support Meatless Mondays

Here are a few reasons to support Meatless Mondays:

Reduce Pollution-The livestock industry is responsible for 13.5-18% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Alleviate World Hunger-Some 800 million people now suffer from hunger or malnutrition while the majority of corn and soya grown (which could be feeding people) goes to feed cattle, pigs and chickens.

Better Health-Studies have shown that people who consume over 30% of their protein intake from animals (meat and dairy) have a much higher risk of cancer. Read The China Study.

Animal Rights-56 BILLION animals are raised and slaughtered for food each year.

My motivation in sharing this information is not just about animal rights, it is about sharing information on how the livestock industry negatively influences pollution, world hunger and your health. Make an educated decision for yourself.