Smart People are Saying...

EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Dirty Dozen

Buy these organic

1

Apples

2

Celery

3

Strawberries

4

Peaches

5

Spinach

6

Nectarines
– imported

7

Grapes – imported

8

Sweet bell peppers

9

Potatoes

10

Blueberries
– domestic

11

Lettuce

12

Kale/collard greens

Clean 15

Lowest in Pesticide

1

Onions

2

Sweet Corn

3

Pineapples

4

Avocado

5

Asparagus

6

Sweet peas

7

Mangoes

8

Eggplant

9

Cantaloupe
- domestic

10

Kiwi

11

Cabbage

12

Watermelon

13

Sweet potatoes

14

Grapefruit

15

Mushrooms

From Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010

http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010.asp

Food Inc is a documentary that highlights the industry our appetites have become.  I recommend this movie as a means to put your feet in the water and decide if you're going to jump in.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Forks Over Knives is a stellar documentary if you're looking to learn about links to what we eat and the diseases we face as a country today.  If you've ever said or heard someone say "my grandma ate what she wanted and she's fine" you only have to watch the first 15 minutes of this to learn what your grandma ate and what we eat today are two very different things.



http://www.forksoverknives.com/

This book is a great place to start a food in your kitchen makeover. I say this because it's not taking what you're currently eating to the extremes.  If you like pasta, there's a better for you way to make it and eat it in here. Same goes for steaks, grilling, etc.

http://www.cookthisnotthatbook.com










So I am falling in love with Dr. Oz of late.  Being on maternity leave, I've been tuning into daytime TV and he's become a staple.  This link will bring you to his top 100 foods for your shopping cart. I like it for several reasons.  

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/100-foods-dr-oz-wants-your-shopping-cart

1. There are foods in here that are conducive to families on the go:
• Frozen veggies if you don't have time for the prep.
• Better snack food and on the go choices - because let's face it some are necessary for sanity.
2. The better choices are highlighted
• Switch from white flour based to whole wheat.
• Natural peanut butter - do yourself a favor and compare the ingredients on the back of your regular cartoon peanut butter and that with its only ingredients being peanuts and maybe salt.  While you're looking at the label check out the sugar content.