Time To Go Organic

As the terms 'organic' and 'natural,' and the associated behaviors become more and more mainstream, perhaps you've considered taking the plunge. Or maybe just dipping your toes in. But where do you start? What do you buy? And what exactly does 'organic' mean? 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates and provides guidelines for companies producing 'organic' goods to follow. I put 'organic' in quotes because the term has become so widely used, it's lost its true meaning. However, the USDA helps ensure the products you purchase fall within certain standards.

Look for this seal, when you're
purchasing organic products.

The good news is if you're ready to go organic, it's relatively easy to begin. If you're interested in taking charge of your health, and being conscious of what you're putting in your body, the first step is incorporating more fruit and vegetables into your diet.  However, we keep hearing how our country's produce supply is treated with multiple chemicals, including pesticides (what you spray on insects to kill them), fertilizer and even kerosene (an incendiary agent used to start a fire). Some produce is exposed to more chemicals than others, so if you're looking to go organic, where do you begin?  

My purchases from a recent grocery shopping trip. Organic strawberries,
blueberries, spinach, sweet potatoes and kale. Bananas, lemons, limes and brussel sprouts are not organic.

If you're on a budget (and who's not?) or this is your first time going organic, here's a tip: any fruit or vegetable where you'll be eating the skin or the outside, you should buy ORGANIC. Makes sense, right? Apples are one of the first that come to mind, and one of the most notorious for chemical/pesticide exposure. You pick up an apple at the supermarket, quickly run it under some water, and take a big, juicy bite. This is what you may be exposing yourself to: (top 50 pesticides used on California apples in 2009).  Yikes!

So, apples are an obvious fruit to purchase organic, and they come in just as many varieties organic as they do non. What else? Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) - super antioxidants, super fruit to buy organic. Peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes. On the veggie side, celery, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce.

Start there. If you love your decision to go organic, if you think the strawberries are that much more juicy and flavor-packed, then move beyond this recommendation.  Here's a fabulous list from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that lists the "Dirty Dozen" (fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticides) and the "Clean 15" (those that test with fewer pesticide residue).

Dirty Dozen:
1) Apples
2) Celery
3) Strawberries
4) Peaches
5) Spinach
6) Nectarines - imported
7) Grapes - imported
8) Sweet bell peppers
9) Potatoes
10) Blueberries - domestic
11) Lettuce
12) Kale/collard greens

Clean 15:1) Onions
2) Sweet corn
3) Pineapples
4) Avocado
5) Asparagus
6) Sweet peas
7) Mangoes
8) Eggplant
9) Cantaloupe - domestic
10) Kiwi
11) Cabbage
12) Watermelon
13) Sweet potatoes
14) Grapefruit
15) Mushrooms

Drop a comment below if you've recently decided to go organic, and tell me how you've made the change.

*Now you know, now you grow*

Now You Know, Now You Grow: The Intro

Hi there. Welcome to Now You Know, Now You Grow. This blog will follow my journey into a healthier lifestyle. I’ve been pretty conscious of health my whole life. I knew what I should be eating, how much I should be exercising, how many hours a night I should be sleeping; whether I chose to follow any of it was another story. Everyone has an eye-opening experience at some time or another. Mine was at a Chinese restaurant.

My adventure into healthy eating began one fine day while I was eating lunch, and had a reaction to something in my food. The reaction involved a head crushing feeling, numbness in my face, hands and arms, etc. Safe to say, it scared me. And when I get scared, I hit the Internet. I learned that many of the additives in our food, whether for flavor, color or function, are dangerous and don’t belong there. Some are even neurotoxins that can affect our nerves and brain cells. Why are they in our food? Because they’re cheap and fast. Think about it, when there’s big demand for an item, whether food or drink or even a child’s toy; manufacturers look for the cheapest and quickest way to make the item, keep it on the shelves, and keep sales consistent.

It’s astonishing the amount of artificial flavorings, additives, and straight up chemicals that are in the foods we eat. Let’s take ice cream, a childhood - and let’s not kid ourselves, adult - favorite. If you were to make ice cream at home, what would you put in it? Milk - check. Cream - check. Eggs - check. Sugar - check. And then a flavor…say vanilla or cocoa for chocolate, coffee beans or chocolate chips. Simple enough. Have you looked at the ingredient list on the carton of your favorite store bought ice cream? One brand has 12 ingredients in their chocolate ice cream. Ingredients that you can’t pronounce let alone identify their source.

It’s time to go back to basics. Time to be conscious. You’re conscious of the type of gas you put in your car, you’re conscious of the brand of clothing you prefer to wear, but you’re not conscious of what you’re putting in your body. Wake up. Open your eyes. Take responsibility. Eat clean. Eat what grows. 

Follow my journey....better yet, join me.  I hope to inspire you.

Now You Know, Now You Grow.