I am all about organic art, but I also eat organic too, that is why my art is 'double organic' you might say. My works are produced with produce, flowers and fruits and herbs that come either from my own backyard or the organic CSA we belong to for half the year. Many say that they can't eat better, or afford organic food, and yes it usually is more expensive, but you are getting health for what you are paying for and not all kinds of other things that come with commercially grown un-organic foods. Things such as pesticides which can cause all kinds of aliments which you do end up paying for in pain, loss of work and doctor visits, medications, etc. Then there are the hormones, vaccinations, genetically engineered seeds, and more. All things to make you unhealthy, so why not try to make some changes today?
I found this great list to get you started. Even if you can't afford to buy (or can't find) all your foods organic, this is a good start. It is a list of the 12 most contaminated produce and the 12 least contaminated. Try to print this out and put it in your wallet so when shopping you can make healthier choices for you and your family.
12 MOST Contaminated Produce Items
Apples
Bell Peppers ( all kinds, green, red, yellow, orange)
Celery
Cherries
Imported Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries
( it is interesting and assuring too that my organic farm has all the above except for the grapes and cherries, plus much more of course, but they are careful to know these are highly contaminated in regular produce).
12 LEAST Contaminated Produce items
Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (Sweet)
Kiwi Fruit
Mangos
Onions
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)
You may have noticed there is a commonality in the first list among the items, and then there is a commonality in the second group among those 12. Do you see what it is? I'll give you a chance to go back and read each item in the two groups. Try picturing the fruit or veggie as you do.
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Did you figure out what it is? Look at the first group, All these items have very thin skins, and all are usually eaten with these skins (some do peel their potatoes, but others leave the skins on because there is much nutrition in the skins, but not if it's counteracted with unhealthy pesticides and more! ).
Now look at the second group. Many of these items you have to peel to eat, such as the Avocados, Bananas, Corn, Kiwi, Mangos, onions, Papayas Pineapples and peas need to be shelled, notice oriental pea pods are not included. I am not sure why Asparagus, Broccoli and Cauliflower are on this list which do not have to be peeled, but from experience in growing myself and also getting from the farm I know that these three are pretty much disease and insect resistant and may not require as much spraying as other crops so that may be the reason.
As far as judging other produce and what to buy organic and what is fairly safe to get un-organic, use that rule of thumb about the thickness of the skin and if the item is usually peeled before eating or cooking.
Bon Apetite!
Hey, have you seen Julie and Julia yet? If not I recommend it's worth to buy a ticket and see it on the big screen. You may even find yourself renting or buying the video when it comes out but now, during the summer harvest season when there is so much available fresh, it really is a great movie to inspire some great cooking. I went to see it only a few days after losing Jazz to get me out of the house basically and still was able to enjoy it enough to recommend, so I know that I will be looking to either see it again in the theatre (it is still playing near me) or getting the DVD when it comes out. It's even inspired my non cooking husband to want to try to learn how to cook and that can't be bad! :)
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living green and eating organic can be costly and takes some effort . But, the result is a healthier you and a healthier world !
ReplyDeleteBuying organic usually helps to support smaller farmers as well . I like supporting the family farm vs. the mega growers !
Great post ...made me think :) m.e.
Hey K.C.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! And I have to go to the grocery store today -- good information or me. And I LOVED Julie/Julia! Meryl Streep nailed the personality and voice of Julia Child! I will have to have this in my DVD library.
Emanda
ArtemisiaStudio.etsy.com
My son, Nick, did a science project to learn about this. We bought tiny guppies and let them swim with apples, green peppers and strawberries from some of our local grocery stores. The larger, more expensive stores sold fruit and veggies with the deadliest residue. Aldi's won hands down. I felt bad about the fish, but they were the ones generally used to feed larger pets. I still felt bad about the fish. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info in this post. I'll have to see that movie too.
I guess the guppies are the canaries of the fish world? :) That is a very interesting experiment. Sadly to get my gluten free items I have to go to one of the most expensive stores we have and get lots of my organic produce in the winter time after the farm is closed. But I've noticed the cheaper groceries around me, not much further away are now carrying more organics and GF stuff so I try to shop judiciously. It does bug me to get all the things I need (not want) I have to go to so many stores, but at least I live within 5-6 miles of each one.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy my farm decided to put in raspberries the first year we joined and we've been getting them for the past two years. They are fall raspberries and will bear up until a frost. Right now I have a Peach and raspberries coffeecake in the oven and it smells so good!
Yes, J&J is a great movie and one only comes along every few years that I say that about. :) Go see it, it's fun and historically interesting from a writers perspective, a chef and from only 60 years ago compared to today. I give it two thumbs up! :)
ReplyDeleteHello, I do like this site, I could learn a lot about another sorts of 'green' products.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm from a rural area of Yogyakarta, close to Mount Merapi (the most active volvano in Southeast Asia), almost in the middle of Java island, Indonesia. Here, organic farming is newly introduced and increasingly popular, however there are still few people turn to organic agriculture. Therefore, their products are rarely found. Even many of organic products are imported from oversees. Consequently, they are all still much more expensive.
That's a great opportunity for those concerned on organic farming. Let alone the land here is very fertile. Unfortunately, the Javanese traditional farmers are still ignorant about organic and green movements.
We (my husband and I) are vegetarian and learning about organic farming and green movement. We're having a dream of owning and operating my own organic farming some day. Hopefully it will come true.
Now, I'm still an undergraduate student at Yogyakarta State University, mastering Early Kids Education. I'm going to introduce 'green life' to my future students. This way, I will be able to take intensive role in introducing and promoting green movement to our community, even our country.
Thanks....once more it's a great blog!