The Environmental Working Group, an american non profit organization, has just come up with a list of the Dirty Dozen as well as the Clean 15. A list of the most heavily sprayed fruits and vegetables as well as the cleanest conventionally grown fruits and vegetables out there.
I like these types of lists A LOT. They make my life easier. I do the best I can but at the end of the day, I don't have a ton of money so these lists guide me on how to best spend my money.
The Dirty Dozen:
1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Imported Grapes
The Clean 15:
1. Onions
2. Avocado (Lucky for me, I eat about 6 a week)
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangoes
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus (which is in season here in Ontario, lucky for us all)
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potatoes
15. Honeydew Melon
more info here: http://foodnews.org/
Sometimes I hit a moment of weakness though. Like last week I was at the fruit market in Kensington and the first batch of ontario strawberries were in and I'm not gonna lie, I bought some. I wanted so badly to taste sweet summer. Laura and I grew up on a strawberry farm and strawberries make me feel a little nostalgic so I threw caution to the wind and I did it. They were okay, by far not the best I've tasted but they'll tie me over until my first CSA share starts next week.
Here are some washes that apparently reduce pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables for those times when you have a moment of weakness like myself.
- Soak produce in a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar for five minutes
- Spray vegetables with a combination of 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp baking soda and 1 cup water
- Diluted dish detergent followed by a rinse of water
Happy Eating!
amelia
