Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. A MUST read and print.

Go to www.foodnews.org  Enter your email address, first name and zip code and print off this guide.  Keep this in your wallet.  THIS IS A MUST TO HAVE with you at all times.  I did make a couple of changes.  :-)

If you can't buy the foods on the Dirty Dozen list organic....DON'T BUY THEM!!!  These 12 foods are produced using high levels of pesticides and other chemicals that are harmful to you and your children.  

Look at prices closing when you are shopping, if I can buy any of the Clean 14, in the organic bin and the price is not drastic, I still will buy organic.  I would rather support organic than conventionally growing any day.

Dirty Dozen+2 ---buy these organic or don't buy them at all...seriously.  Remember DownTown Farm Stand has everything and it is ORGANIC!  If you can't make it to DTFS Meijer has a pretty good selection of Organic, but I would rather support my local small business.
1.  Apples (worst)
2.  Celery (worst)
3.  Strawberries (worst)
4.  Peaches
5.  Spinach 
6.  Nectarines (imported)
7.  Grapes (imported)  (I have bee buying organic raisins since organic grapes are hard to find in the winter.)  (Note:  Organic raisins are delicious!  So soft and fresh tasting.)
8.  Sweet Bell peppers (Buy these when you can fresh, clean, slice and freeze for stirfry in the winter)
9.  Potatoes
10.  Blueberries (domestic)
11.  Lettuce
12.  Carrots (my addition :-) )
13.  Corn (I moved this from the Clean 15.  It is NOT clean if it is genetically modified.  So, I moved it to the dirty dozen.  It does have pesticides in it, when the seed from which it grew had pesticides genetically injected into the seed and covers the plant for the inside as the stalk and ears grow. Gross.)


Clean 14 ---lowest in pesticides, can buy conventional (not organic)
1.  Onions
2.  Avocado
3.  Pineapple
4.  Mangos
5.  Sweet Peas
6.  Asparagus
7.  Kiwi
8.  Cabbage
9.  Eggplant
10.  Cantaloupe (domestic)
11.  Watermelon
12.  Grapefruit
13.  Sweet potato
14.  Honeydew melon

Just remember scrub, scrub, scrub!!!!  I use a white dish pan, fill it half way with cool water, 1/2-1 cup white vinegar (Heinz brand or organic only!) and 3 drops of grapefruit seed extract.  Stir.  This makes a great spa for your fruits and veggies.  Scrub with a soft brush and rinse well.  Enjoy!!