Buying “Green” (and purple, orange, yellow…!)

Today’s organic produce purchases!

I’ve been trying really hard since my first baby was born to eat healthier… and that includes buying organic food whenever possible. Many people ask why I’d bother… yes, it is more expensive and a bit more difficult to find (although it’s getting better), but the reasons are many. I won’t go into *all* of them now, but at the top of my list are pesticides.

A website that I’ve found extremely helpful (and I’ve mentioned it before) is The Environmental Working Group. It helps me choose my sunscreen, body lotion, makeup, toothpaste and all of my kids’ products (shampoo, soap, etc). It’s an invaluable resource that helps me feel good about what I’m putting on – or in this case, NOT putting on (as in, chemicals) – my family. It also helps me choose what foods I feed my family. I don’t buy everything organic, but the EWG has great guidelines for which foods have the highest concentration/exposure to pesticides, to help me decide what’s most important.

For example, when I can’t find organic apples at my local grocery store, I know to choose a different fruit for my family that week, because apples are considered one of the Dirty Dozen. Haven’t heard of them? Check out the Dirty Dozen Plus™ and the Clean Fifteen™ here! It’s a great reference to help us all eat healthier!