When it comes to food, what you eat does not always come out. I am referring to pesticides on the fruits and veggies we, and the animals we consume if we are omnivorous, eat. Our fat cells store these chemicals long term in our body. Grapes usually test positive for around 50 different pesticides. You will see the term pesticide residue. This is not just a substance on the outer part of the produce that can be washed off. These chemicals are in the produce. And when we eat them, they become part of our cells. And we wonder why there are so many more health problems than there were 50 years ago?

Here is one great article: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/dirty-dozen-foods#fbIndex1 about the dirty dozen fruits and veggies. The list above also gives you the “clean 15”, which are the ones that have the least amount of ick.

As far as meat goes, the leaner the cut of meat the less you have to worry about. But animals (just like humans) store the chemicals in their fat cells. So that grain fed beef you get that was eating GMO corn? Yep, you get to eat GMOs, too. We buy organic where we can afford to, and it is expensive. Watch out for labeling marked “natural” as there are no guidelines for that term. Look for organic meats on sale and stock up and freeze it. Use the dirty dozen list to choose what you do or don’t need to buy organic, and for the love of your self, don’t eat a plethora of over processed boxed and frozen foods. I’ll get more into that later 🙂

Do you have tips and tricks for your organic shopping? I’d love to hear!