Pesticides in our Fruits and Vegetables...

Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are sadly laden with pesticides.

Firstly, these pesticides apparently break down the nutrient content of the fruit or
vegetable. So we are getting much less of the nutritional value we are searching for in our
Greens.

Secondly, they just taste better! Try it yourself...do a taste test. The Organic (pesticide free) fruits and veggies are bursting with luscious flavor!

Finally, Pesticide ingestion is obviously not good for us. It has been known to cause mild symptoms like headaches and fatigue as well as being linked to cancer and parkinsons disease. Please pass me the Organic Fruits and Veggies!!

I have found the list below to be extremely helpful in shopping for my fruit and vegetables. You will find that some are listed with much lower levels of pesticides so it is ok to buy conventional in those cases.

Let's face it, organic is expensive so a list like this will help you navigate the produce department with ease and without crashing your budget.

1. I highly suggest trying out Trader Joe's for well priced organics. The package will clearly tell you if it is organic.

2. I know Costco sells organic spinach.

3. Your most interesting and fun option is to hit a farmers market in your area. The produce will be organic, plus it is usually local so your veggies were probably just plucked from the soil! Nothing taste better than fresh plucked veggies or fruit.

The full list is below...but, here is a link for a wallet version to take with you to the store!

http://www.foodnews.org/

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE	SCORE
1 (worst)	Peach	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apple	93
3	Sweet Bell Pepper	83
4	Celery	82
5	Nectarine	81
6	Strawberries	80
7	Cherries	73
8	Kale	69
9	Lettuce	67
10	Grapes - Imported	66
11	Carrot	63
12	Pear	63
13	Collard Greens	60
14	Spinach	58
15	Potato	56
16	Green Beans	53
17	Summer Squash	53
18	Pepper	51
19	Cucumber	50
20	Raspberries	46
21	Grapes - Domestic	44
22	Plum	44
23	Orange	44
24	Cauliflower	39
25	Tangerine	37
26	Mushrooms	36
27	Banana	34
28	Winter Squash	34
29	Cantaloupe	33
30	Cranberries	33
31	Honeydew Melon	30
32	Grapefruit	29
33	Sweet Potato	29
34	Tomato	29
35	Broccoli	28
36	Watermelon	26
37	Papaya	20
38	Eggplant	20
39	Cabbage	17
40	Kiwi	13
41	Sweet Peas - Frozen	10
42	Asparagus	10
43	Mango	9
44	Pineapple	7
45	Sweet Corn - Frozen	2
46	Avocado	1
47 (best)	Onion	1 (lowest pesticide load)

Earth Day! New ways to pack your lunch.

I made a few discoveries on Earth Day that I must share...

I often take my lunch or snacks with me to be certain I eat the food my body craves for energy. I just discovered two companies that make environmentally friendly lunch bags, utensils, and food carriers. The great thing about these products is the fact that they are free of plastic. Certain plastic containers contain possible carcinogens so it is best to avoid them. So, we are helping free our environment of excess plastic waste and avoiding the chemicals that have the potential to harm us.

Quick tip on plastic containers: Be sure to avoid placing hot food in them or using them in the microwave to heat your food... The heat releases the nasty chemicals that we should be avoiding. If you must use the microwave, switch to glass!

The two companies that make these fabulous products are:

www.to-goware.com

www.mysigg.com

They sell a stainless steel straw!! This is great because I make smoothies every day and love using straws...this way I won't be constantly throwing away plastic straws! Very Cool! I feel better about the environment already!

PLUS: In honor of Earth Day.... go to Oprah.com to pick up 20% off coupons for both stores!

A FRESH WAY TO EAT YOUR VEGGIES! Create a Dip.

I just made an incredibly tasty, and healthy, dip that is perfectly dairy free!

Try it with cut celery, carrots, or your favorite dipping cracker.

In a blender add:
1 package of silken Tofu (you can also sub with plain yogurt or Tofu Sour cream)
2 tablespoons chopped mint
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped onions... that you have sauteed in olive oil to soften the flavor.
1/2 of a lemon... squeeze the juice into the mixture
salt
pepper - best to use fresh ground pepper

Whip it up in the blender until it is smooth.
Place it in your best looking small bowl serving bowl and refrigerate at least an hour.
It tastes best cold!

Enjoy.....and let me know what you think!

You will be enjoying a protein filled and tasty snack that is perfect
for parties or, just a special treat for yourself!

The JOY of Chocolate!

I LOVE Chocolate!!

Turns out that dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants!
The Cacao Plant is a rich source of Flavonoids! Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants! Now we can enjoy the tasty goodness of chocolate every day...in moderation of course.

Your best bet is to choose a dark chocolate bar that contains at least 70% cocoa. If you like the taste of a higher percentage bar then go for it! The higher the percentage of cocoa the better. As a comparison, Milk chocolate contains only 20% cocoa. You will also find a much lower fat and sugar content in dark chocolate. This combo of lower sugar and fat makes dark chocolate the best choice overall.


In terms of moderation, keep in mind that your diet needs to mainly include fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grain carbs. You don't want to add a daily dose of chocolate if you are already consuming excess sugar and calories. By daily dose I mean.....just breaking off a square or two from that chocolate bar. I enjoy having it with a cup of Decaf Green Tea in the afternoon....this way you get double your load of flavinoids! more on green tea later.........


Choose the BEST chocolate bar you can find. I love Dagoba and Green & Black. Start taste testing. You will find that a little bit of chocolate goes a long way in fulfilling your sweet tooth!