how many pesticides have you eaten today?

I hate to admit it, but it wasn't until I started dating my bearded cohabitation colleague a little over a year ago that I started really paying attention to how I choose my produce at the grocery store, farmer's market, etc. As it turns out, there are some pretty legit reasons to buy organic for certain fruits and veggies. 

You know as well as I do that buying organic produce means you're going to spend a little bit (or a lotta bit) more money when you're doing your grocery shopping. I'll be the first to admit that this was a tough pill to swallow as a person who's trying to save money, NOT spend money. 

BUT. (And there's always a but.) 

The more research I do on all this, the more I'm convinced that spending that extra dough is worth it in the end. Because let's be honest, if you're making an effort to eat healthfully and get those servings of fruits and vegetables in ... do you really want to be digesting gross pesticides along with it? Yeah, me neither. Here's some fun (gag-worthy) facts for you: 

• According to the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) analysis of USDA data, up to 48 different pesticides showed up on 98% of 700 apple samples from around the country. Did I mention that these apples were WASHED?

• According to this article in The Atlantic, "Hot peppers may have been treated with as many as 97 pesticides, followed by cucumbers (68) and greens (66)." 

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in charge of determining "tolerances" of pesticides on specific produce. However, some pesticides are exempt from having a tolerance.

Now, there are the naysayers that will poo-poo the notion of eating organic produce. Hell, that may be YOU. But consider this - researchers at the University of Stanford Medical School found that while organic produce may not have more nutritional value than traditionally grown produce, eating organic produce can "reduce the risk of pesticide exposure." Good enough for me! 

The EWG lists these fruits and vegetables as the "Dirty Dozen" that you should try to buy organic (starting with the most offensive): 

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes
8. Spinach 
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers 
11. Bluberries (domestic) 
12. Potatoes 

Never fear! They also have the "Clean Fifteen" which are the lowest in pesticides and/or have thick skins that are not eaten (starting with the least offensive): 

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Cabbage 
6. Sweet Peas 
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Cantaloupe (domestic) 
12. Sweet Potatoes
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon 
15. Mushrooms

Regardless of whether you buy your produce organic or not, it's always important to wash it off before you eat it. I mean, duh. 

So. Who else is ready to move to a communal farm and grow all our own fruits and vegetables? Because I'm totally in. 

This information just makes me even more thankful for It Works! Greens that provides me with 8+ servings of fruits and veggies every day before I even leave for work.