Why I Love Organic...

Look at these adorable red peppers. Organic. Not perfect, small with some blemishes... not big honkin' peppers with thick skins. This is just one of the reasons I love buying organic.

Now, I am not an organic elitist. I don't buy everything organic. Some things are ridiculously expensive organic, especially at certain times of the year (ex: ginger, asparagus). BUT... I do buy organic wherever possible, and there are some fruits and veg I NEVER buy conventionally grown (ex: strawberries... read on).

Organic usually tastes better. Taste test with a conventional apple or banana against organic ones - you'll agree. Also, there is the whole element of support organic agriculture, it's better for our land, supporting local organic farmers... which I won't expand on here.

What I will talk more about is the health aspect, and some fruits and veggies are more heavily treated with pesticides. As I mention in Vive, these pesticide residues are particularly dangerous for our babies and children, since their little bodies are still developing.

So, which fruit and veg have the highest pesticide residues? Strawberries, apples, bell peppers and spinach are a few of the "dirty dozen". For a more complete listing, click here. You can print out a wallet guide on this site, and read more on pesticides.

Some of the 'safer' produce? - Pineapple, mangoes, asparagus, and avocados to start.

Shop organic when you can, and look for frozen organic fruit and veg in the 'dirty dozen' list, when buying organic fresh is too expensive or not in season. :)