Did you know that our fruit and vegetables are heavily sprayed with pesticides.
These pesticides can disrupt so many things in our bodies, and increase the risk of certain negative health impacts.
Things like disrupting your hormones, your gut microbiome , your brain and nervous system, even cancers.
You may also notice effects such as sinus issues, allergies, skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis and also autoimmune conditions.
It can seem a little overwhelming, however the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) has compiled a list of fruits and vegetables called The Clean 15 and The Dirty Dozen.
The Clean 15 generally includes fruit and vegetables that have lower pesticide residues, so if you can’t buy or grow organic or spray free these items are safer to buy.
Avocados
Sweet Corn
Pineapples
Onions
Papayas
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Honeydew Melons
Kiwifruit
Cabbage
Mushrooms
Mangoes
Sweet potato ( kumara)
Watermelon
Carrots
It is a good idea to wash when you get them home in a sink with about 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
The Dirty Dozen consists of produce with higher levels of pesticides and its advisable to either buy organic or grow your own.
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Bell and hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green beans
Attached is a pdf with a list of the EWG Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen.
When my health took a bit of a nose dive 15 years ago I made a conscious effort to eat as organically as we could afford at the time, what this looked like at the time was actually growing as much food as we could and buying organic seeds, and if I could buy organic I would try and do this. This has changed over the years as I prioritised our food, I take this very seriously now as I see how chronically ill our society has become.
About a year ago I started buying most of our fruit and vegetables from a regenerative farming initiative in Palmerston North called Live2Give Organics. I put an order in by Sunday night and they deliver to my door every Tuesday. As its now summer we do have quite a lot growing in our garden. I am really lucky as my husband Dave loves gardening and our garden is starting to produce lots of delicious veggies.
The photo here is this week’s order. We are harvesting a lot of greens in our garden at the moment so I just order what we need, in the winter I often order an organic produce box.
The link to check out Live2Give Organics is here and the team at Live2Give Organics have offered free delivery on your first order.
When checking out put this in the Discount code box - WELLNESS
By embracing the benefits of organic or spray free eating you are making choices that benefit your health and support a sustainable and environmentally friendly food system. Happy, healthy eating.
Introducing Live2Give Organics
We are a team of six, that are passionate about growing and distributing high quality veg and applying regenerative practices at our Live2Give Organic Farm.
We see a need of nutrient-dense, good quality vegetables and that’s why we started an online shop as an outlet for our organic farm.
You can order, freshly picked veg that will be delivered to your door either in our chilled truck (if you live in the area of Palmerston North and Wellington) or via NZ post couriers if you live outside of our local area.
Click on the link for Live2Give Organics