Organically Speaking
Lots of people are trying to go organic these days. Wikipedia states that “Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.”
Organic livestock is antibiotic and hormone free, feeds on organic feed and is given access to pasture. Organic food has only been certified as organic since 2003, and several sources report that the sales of these foods have doubled in this time.
Let’s face it though, organic is expensive. If you make the choice to invest in organic and happen to be on a budget (as if any of us live without one!) there is a list of the so called “Dirty Dozen” in produce. These are the items which have the highest in pesticide residue.
1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Apples
4. Strawberries
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Cherries
10. Kale/Collard Greens
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes
There is also a list of the clean 15, which are considered lowest in pesticides. These might be the products with which you opt to forgo the organic premiums.
1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantalope
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon
I can never remember these lists myself, so I keep a list on my iPhone. It helps to have it handy. With the recent warm weather we’ve had, I’m already looking forward to be able to start buying local produce and growing some of my own.
Here in New Hartford, we’re weeks away from having fresh produce available every Friday at our very own farmers market. Locally grown food is freshest, and we are fortunate to have them in our community. Remember to show them your support!
Yaaaay summer!
Krista Maloney
newhartfordbeacon.com 
Corn being on the “Clean 15” is a bit misleading. It may be low in pesticides, but 95% of all corn grown in the US is genetically modified.
People have been genetically modifying vegetables since before they created hybrids. When people picked certain vegetable plants for seeds because of some superior attribute, they were engaging in genetic modification. Are you talking about some other sinister modification?
Check this out for the difference between heirloom, hybrid, and gmo:
http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetable1/f/Heirlooms.htm
And just one of the problems with gmo: sterility
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/jeffrey-smith/genetically-modified-soy_b_544575.html
The lists rate the items typically high & lower in pesticide use. Your point about GMO is valid. As other countries start to ban GMO due to unknown effects upon future generations, it is certainly something that we should keep in mind. If GMO is a concern to you, definately alter your copy of the list. As the United States is one of the highest producers of GMO corn, and as the accounts of issues of GMO contamination in organic crops continue to increase, our organic corn supply will likely shrink. Thank you for your insight.
That’s a pretty scary article. Cloning pesticides into corn? Sounds yummy.
So good to hear that I’m not the only one! I really enjoy your blog and just wneatd to let you know that we all struggle. I have some serious health issues that mandate eating a very “clean” diet, but sometimes I am too sick to keep up with it! (Which just leads to nowhere good.) Praise God that you have the ability to see/admit the problem, make an action plan, and have a little “give” in your health! 🙂 When I get really, really behind, it helps to focus on what I *can* do to work toward the goal of better eating, cleaner kitchen, etc. I notice that when I do a lot of smaller things, they pave the way for the bigger stuff. Good luck Lady!!