Detox Your Diet: What's On your Food?

I've been encouraging my reader and patients to avoid the dirty dozen and to freely consume the clean fifteen (www.foodnew.org). Thanks to the EWG for providing this invaluable resource!

I've just come across another great tool, thanks to the Pesticide Action Network, that helps inform on why choosing organics and being aware of where your food comes from is a must!

Do you know what's on your food?

I just did a quick scan of butter (conventional vs organic). The conventional butter, when analyzed, had the residue of 10 different pesticides. Now if these pesticides are supposed to be toxic (most of them neurotoxins) to insects, exactly what effects are are then having on infants and young developing children?

Detox your Diet: What do you do when you can't buy organic?

What should you do when it's not possible to buy organic? Here are some recommendations when you can't buy organic:

1. Locally-grown foods may or may not be lower in pesticides and other contaminants, but it's easy enough to ask and you may be surprised how many local growers you'll find within driving distance and how close to organic some of their foods may turn out to be.
   
2. Read the ingredient lists on all non-organic food packaging. Although you cannot trust the terms "natural" or "all natural" on the front of the package, you can trust the ingredient lists to include most of the substances added to the food. Look for the terms "artificial flavor" and "artificial color." Also look for the FD&C colorings (for example, Yellow 5). Of course, you won't find pesticides, heavy metals, or other potentially toxic residues listed on ingredient lists. But watching out for other potential toxins is still very worthwhile.
3. Wash your produce thoroughly and use a vegetable brush to help remove potential toxins found on the surface of the food.
   
4. Peel all waxed fruits. Also peel any fruits you know or suspect to be heavily sprayed.
5. Enjoy the delicious flavors and textures of your food. Even when you haven't been able to buy organic, take satisfaction in the selections you've made and recognize the benefits of nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods, one-of-a-kind foods!

Green Tip: Have A Green Valentine’s Day

The classic Valentine's color is Red. But what about having a GREEN Valentine's Day instead? Remember, you can have a great Valentine's Day, as well as be conscious of the Earth. Here are some ways to go about making your Valentine's Day GREEN:

*Rather than give cut flowers, buy a small tree or flowering plant that can be planted at a later date. That way, your gifts lasts longer, and the Earth benefits, too.

*If your Valentine expects the gift of jewelry, shop estate sales and vintage jewelry shops, rather than buying a newly created silver or gold bauble.

*Whenever possible, send e-cards rather than throwaway paper cards. Or, look for printed cardstock you already have lying around at home, that can be reinvented with a little effort. Or, better yet, buy a plantable card embedded with seeds, which your Valentine can bury and watch bloom.

*Homemade baked treats are fun, inexpensive and widely appreciated. And no trees are harmed in the process

*Buy organic chocolate made from cocoa beans farmed in earth-friendly ways rather than mass-produced chocolate whose beans were cultivated with unfriendly farming practices.

*Rather then head out for dinner, why not have dinner at home? And while you're at it, use local fruits, vegetables, and other products. The closer to home your food is grown, the lower its environmental impact is. Try to eat things that haven't been shipped across the country by a tractor-trailer.

*Eat dinner by candlelight. Turn off the lights to save energy, as well as creating a romantic mood

For even more ideas on how to GREEN up your Valentine's Day, check out this National Geographic Green Guide on the subject.