In this current economical 💩 storm, living a fully organic lifestyle is not always possible. I’d love to reach that stage, but our family isn’t there. Since we’re not able to do so, we follow the dirty dozen list posted by the EWG when able!
Screenshot these photos to save for shopping later!
Conventional fruits and veggies are sprayed with chemicals, ranging from:
- Algicides (algae)
- Antimicrobials (bacteria and viruses)
- Biocides (microorganisms)
- Miticides (mites)
- Fungicides (fungi)
- Insecticides (insects)
- Nematicides (nematodes)
- Rodenticides (mice and rodents)
When spraying these chemicals farmers tend to need PPE, if there’s risk of inhalation, a respirator is used. Without these sprays, it's estimated they’d lose even more crops, driving up costs for food higher.
But at what cost to us and our health?
Chemicals used are to help the food stay fresher longer, yet some pesticides have been found to be hormone disruptors, causing reproductive issues, putting one at risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney, lung, liver issues, even cancer!
To further reduce your exposure:
Always wash fruits and veggies under running water.
Use baking soda to clean your fruits and vegetables. Add 1 tsp of baking soda to 2 cups of water and soak for 15 min's. Rinse with water afterwards.
Soak in vinegar and water for 20 min's. Use 1-part vinegar to 4-parts water.
Discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables like cabbage
Clean the fiber-rich edible peels of foods like apples and carrots with a scrub brush
Scrub the inedible rinds of produce (like melon) to reduce residues that can enter the food when it’s cut
Different crops require different pesticides, so eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables minimizes your risks associated with specific pesticides and provides a wider range of nutritional benefits
“4 fruit and vegetable wash products were found to be no more effective at removing 8 of 9 pesticide residues from produce than either a 1% solution of dishwashing liquid or rinsing under tap water alone for 3 commodities studied.” (1)
One Study found by soaking produce in a vinegar and water solution for 20 min's reduced pesticides by 65-80% (2)
Check out local farmers, farmers markets, local food co-ops, or even try growing your own! I'm a plant killa... so only the peppers, cucumbers, and green beans survived last year.
Remember to meet yourself where you are right now budget wise.
The goal is little swaps over time as you're able. Our goal for our family is simple: reduce exposure over time where we can, the all or nothing mentality is detrimental.