How to Eat Organically Without Paying Through the Nose

With alarming rates of cancer, autism, allergies.... You have to wonder, is it something we are ingesting?

But eating healthier doesn't need to break the bank, here are some easy pointers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know what to buy organic vs. what to buy Conventional.
   
   Top ten fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide
   * Peaches
   * Apples
   * Sweet Bell Peppers
   * Celery
   * Nectarines
   * Strawberries
   * Cherries
   * Pears
   * Grapes (Imported)
   * Spinach
   
   The top 10 fruits/vegetables with the LEAST amount of pesticide
   * Onion
   * Avocado
   * Sweet corn (Frozen)
   * Pineapples
   * Mango
   * Asparagus
   * Sweet peas (Frozen)
   * Kiwi
   * Bananas
   * Cabbage
   (courteousy of www.sixwise.com)

2. Try to buy in season.
   
   Don't buy cheeries in the middle of winter - they are likely to be imported and likely to be conventional AND likely to be more expensive.

3. Go to farmer's markets.
   
   Farmer's markets have array of local product that while maybe not "organic" may be pesticide-free. At the market, you can talk to the farmer, asked them how it was grown. Plus locally-sourced product tastes SOO much better.

4. Use a vinegar-water spray
   
   If you can't get around to a farmer's market or can't afford the organic product, try the vinegar-water spray.
   
   Place 3 parts water/1 part vinegar into a spray bottle. Before washing the product, spray it with this solution, then rinse it off. It removes pesticides, wax and bacteria. And it is almost free.
   
   http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/tipsheet/archive/2007/11/10/america-s-test-kitchen-produce-protection.aspx

Tips & Warnings

• Eating more produce is key to good health, eating organic is even better.