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| Organic is the way to grow. |
We all have industrial chemicals in us from the contaminated food that we eat. But don't worry - our leaders tell us that this slow poisoning is within "acceptable limits".
Herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, thisicides and thaticides. Modern farming is a violent process of killing in order to maximize profits.
But what about maximizing human and environmental health?
Buying organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible reduces the chemical load on the environment and your body. Organic farms are safer for workers, so buying organic tells them we care about their health and well-being.
The following is a list of produce that when grown on industrialized farms are loaded with pesticides that are harmful to bugs and other living things.
These are the first that should be replaced with organically grown alternatives.
"Dirty" Vegetables
Lettuce
Bell peppers
Carrots
Kale
Cucumbers
Celery
"Dirty" Fruits
Grapes
Apples
Nectarines
Peaches
Strawberries
Pears
The next list is for produce that when grown on industrial farms tends to be treated with pesticides less than the items on the list above.
"Cleaner" Vegetables
Sweet potatoes
Cauliflower
Eggplant
Asparagus
Onions
Sweet peas – frozen
Cabbage
Sweet corn
Avocados
"Cleaner" Fruits
Cantaloupe
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Papaya
Mangoes
Pineapples
The best case scenario is when we can grow our own fruits and vegetables using organic methods in our backyards and community gardens. We can also support local organic growers and farmer's markets.
That would be the best, cleanest food available.
Several years back I purchased organic when it was available and went with non-organic when it wasn't. Then I read the book "The World According to Monsanto". It completely changed how I choose to purchase all food. The more you know.
ReplyDeleteMonsanto sucks. Boycott.
DeleteI had a proud moment today. Our local organic shop is shut until the end of the week so we went to the supermarket to buy from their very limited range of organic fruit and vegetables. My 12 year old said, in a concerned voice -'Mum, it's wrapped in plastic'. I'm so pleased he's becoming a discerning shopper when everything is set up to be cheaper and more convenient for people who just don't want to think about where things come from and how they are produced.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine.x
The kids are where it is at.
DeleteIt is so important to support organic farmers, and farmers who experiment with new/old varieties. Last summer and fall a group of people wanting to free the seeds from companies like Monsanto, had a happening here -illegal sharing of seeds. It changed politics, so now it is no longer illegal to share seeds privately. It is still, however, illegal to grow certain varieties of plants (most actually) because they are not on a list. It is so scary, that companies can get the intellectual rights to seeds and thus all of our food. We have to fight back. And we can by buying consciously.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Terese
Vote with your dollars.
DeleteThe lists here are informative. I appreciate learning about he book Miss Marla refers to. I'd like to read that.
ReplyDeleteWe have very little organic available except in a couple of Big Ag grocery stores. We have a CSA here, but it is not organic. I drove by their strawberry fields early spring and saw several workers in the fields with chemical tanks strapped to their bodies spraying strawberries. They were wearing what looked like HazMat suits. It shocked me to actually see it even though I knew they spray our food and I know it is toxic pesticides. It is one thing to know what they are spraying on our growing food is hazardous pesticides, etc. It is another thing to actually see people in the blazing sun in a HazMat or similar suit spraying the plants.
I am seeing much more produce wrapped in plastic. I am seeing much more of it peeled and cut up in plastic containers. I am complaining to store management about it. Their response is, "Well that is what people buy the most." It all makes me so sad. I do not use any plastic when I buy produce. I use my re-usable grocery bags and just load it in unwrapped. I do not care if my limes roll all over the check out counter. I refuse to use plastic for food that does not have to be packaged. I get looks. I don't care.
Madeleine, it's very cool to hear that your son noticed and was concerned about the plastic wrap. Shows you are teaching him to observe, to think, and to question things. Admirable and impressive!
I didn't know about "intellectual rights" to seeds. OMGosh, they are clever aren't they? And dead serious on controlling our food. I did know something about seeds and a problem with Monsanto and GMO's, but haven't investigated it close enough. I learn so much here on this blog from you Gregg and those who chime in.
Just FYI, Neil Young has recently started a serious campaign against Monsanto. What I've seen is he is educating and has done an album themed against Monsanto. For decades Neil Young has made strong stands on things that matter. From the beginning of his musical career, he has refused to be sponsored by anyone, no corporate sponsors whatsoever. He said he never wanted to be controlled by anyone. His music has been among my most cherished collection since the early 70's.
Mr. Young also has released a film about farmers that have been sued by Monsanto for saving seeds.
DeleteGo Neil Go!
I am really out of the loop about the seed problem, I only know vaguely about it. I know it is serious. I'm anxious to see the film!
DeleteOn the same page about Neil. That guy just refuses to be in a box of any kind.
Terri, thank you for your kind comments. Re your loose fruit and veggies at the supermarket checkout - this poses a real risk to your health! Most supermarkets sell meat and chicken and often the packaging can be a bit leaky - if those germs get onto your fresh produce you can become very sick indeed! I won't even use my mesh bags at the supermarket. I wonder if you have farmer's markets/fruit and veg shop/ organic shop where you can source uncontaminated produce?
DeleteIf you don't have a reliable local supplier your best option may be to grow as much as you can (my preferred option).
Your description of people spraying produce is chilling - but better to know so we can act.
All the best, Madeleine
Madeleine, that's a point well taken about meat leaking onto a conveyer belt that I lay fresh produce on. I will consider that and figure something out. Plastic bags are not a good option. The store I shop at for most groceries, has a meat dept where they package as you order what you want. I've wondered if it isn't over packaged as they put meat into a heavy mil plastic bag and wrap with a large piece of butcher's paper. To me it seemed over package, but maybe the point you are making is why.
DeleteI live in an apartment, growing my own food is very limited to a patio garden which has some problems associated with as well. I won't go into all that here publically.
I live in a smaller city in southern U.S. It is pretty slow to catch up to what's available organic-wise and just about everything else that I see as near mainstream in western U.S.
Thank you so much for giving me helpful things to know and think about.