2011 Dirty Dozen List

If you are about to bite into a non-organic apple or strawberry STOP! A new list of the top non-organic highly toxic fruits and vegetables is out. A few things have changed. I take this very seriously and do my best to not eat them! They can be avoided with discipline and some may be easily grown in your backyard (contact me to learn how and what)! I find it easier to make positive choices at the grocery
store but harder when at someone else's home or restaurant. Last week I was at a bed and breakfast and felt bad for not eating the fruit plate the innkeeper prepared as part of our breakfast but knew it was to be avoided. We found a coop and bought organic fruit later that day. Odd I know, but I have chosen to do my best at eating foods that are healing and nourishing not wearing on my system. Keep in mind a huge local food movement is underway and lots of food grown locally may not be certified organic but are grown with integrity and without pesticides. Talk to your farmers and make friends. The picture of strawberries were some I picked from my garden last night as you could imagine they were juicy and sweet. These were easily grown without pesticides, I planted them last year and have a total of about 40 plants.

Dirty Dozen 2011 - AVOID if Non-Organic or if you don't know the source/farmers practices. Knowing your famers is key and fun!

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes 
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale and Collard Greens 

Clean 15 - Lower levels of pesticides. EATing non-organic is ok.

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas
7. Mangos
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms