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November 05, 2008

Learn about the ‘dirty dozen’

By Kashi Read more daily challenge, health advice, healthy eating, organic foods, organizing, and research
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

That $4 organic avocado got you stymied? Good news: According to the Environmental Working Group, some produce retains relatively low pesticide loads, including avocados, onions, pineapples, mangos and sweet frozen corn. However, other produce retains pesticides at much higher levels. Here’s a list of their so-called ‘dirty dozen’: 1 Peaches (worst) 2 Apples 3 Sweet bell peppers 4 Celery 5 Nectaries 6 Strawberries 7 Cherries 8 Lettuce 9 Grapes 10 Pears 11 Spinach 12 Potatoes Today, challenge yourself to make a list of the best produce to buy organic and stash it in your purse or wallet. Use it as a reference the next time you’re at the grocery store.

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  1. 48_pgr flag line--yvonne ''sunshine''

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  2. User_48
    aGalloway commented on this. almost 4 years ago

    Organic foods cost more for a few reasons. I recently read ‘green goes with everything’ and it was very insightful. First, companies that dont grow organicly often get a stipend from the government. Also, to get the USDA organic seal, you need to keep very complete records, which is time consuming. And, where they seem like the produce less expensive to grow because they dont have to buy chemicals, some companies have to buy machinery (such as devices to keep birds away from berries-or other things to keep pests away from the fruits and veggies without chemicals); in general, organic farming is simply more time consuming.

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  3. User_48
    Scout22 commented on this. over 4 years ago

    WE are doing a TON of local shopping at our farmers market this spring!! I am so excited to have healthier food to look forward to (and warm weather!)

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  4. 48_picture_010
    nateneutron commented on this. over 4 years ago

    This is a good question, but it might have something to do with shipping and storage possibly?
    Also, check out this very informative website about why you should avoid these 12 dirty dozen fruits and vegies. It might be worth the price or just worth avoiding all together! That is of course unless you can grow your own.
    http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=15241

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  5. User_48
    kterwil commented on this. over 4 years ago

    does anyone know why organic produce costs more in the store, but less to grow?

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  6. User_48
    Scout22 commented on this. over 4 years ago

    This is so interesting, I am going to start my homework!

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