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. 

an introduction.

I've had blogs before. Maybe you read a post or two? If you didn't, that's ok. Those blogs weren't really important and my youth and inexperience were abundantly obvious in just about everything I wrote. Oy vey. 

So why this blog? Why try again? Well, there are a few reasons. 

• Information. The interwebs are full of it, and I love finding blogs that give me ideas for improving my life in some way (or let's be honest - CRAFTS). However, what I've noticed is that often times these blogs are geared specifically toward mommies. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with mommies. But how about a blog that's coming from the perspective of an almost 30-something with a co-habitation partner and no kids? That's me! 

• Money stuff. I'm at the point in my life (as many of you are, too, I'm sure) in which I'm realizing that if I don't get my financial shit together in short order, I'm going to be in a world of hurt when I want to retire. I've already started taking steps to earn extra income and pay off debt, so why not share that financial love? Plus, you can keep me accountable. I'll be honest if you ask how it's going and hopefully you'll share in my success when that day comes where I can spray paint DEBT-FREE on my house. Not really, but you get the point. 

• It Works! As part of the whole "debt-free" thing, I decided to become an Independent Distributor with It Works! I know some of you are skeptical about this, but I'm hoping to use this blog as a forum to discuss the products, what's in the products, and my (and yours) experiences with them. Besides, who wouldn't want to talk about things that are positively impacting their lives on a daily basis? 

• Crunchy living. In my opinion, this particular topic is a combination of all the others. As I get older I find myself not only wanting to explore ideas and products that are more economical, but that are natural and free of chemicals that are harmful to our bodies and the environment. Part of why I felt comfortable joining the It Works! team is because their products are natural and full of good things. So I'm going to share that stuff with you. And I hope you share your ideas with me, too. 

So, yeah. That's it in a nutshell. Here's to seeing the world through a new linz and getting a different perspective!