Did you hear that pesticides may contribute to ADHD in children? If you didn't, check out this article from the Huffington Post - it's really good. This is a huge breakthrough. As a former teacher I have seen many degrees of ADD and ADHD, taken classes about ADD/ADHD, and taught many students with ADD and ADHD. Through my own research, I've seen links to toxic chemicals in cleaning products that contribute to learning problems, asthma, allergies, respiratory problems and even cancer (if you haven't switched to all-natural cleaning products, go to my Shaklee site here. Email me if you have any questions, I'd love to help you find non-toxic ways to clean.) I also have believed for some time that pesticides aren't safe to consume, so we primarily eat organic fruits and vegetables, grains, and hormone-free dairy products. I am willing to spend the extra money on certified organic fruits and veggies, so I follow the guidelines set by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) - they have determined what the worst conventional fruits and vegetables for pesticide residue and the not so bad fruits and vegetables for pesticide residue. Here's a good explanation of the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. The idea is that you should avoid the Dirty Dozen and purchase the Clean Fifteen as conventional produce. If you follow the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen guidelines, you can cut down your pesticide exposure by 80%. It's also equally important to WASH fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming. Washing them with an all-natural fruit and vegetable cleaner removes a good amount of the pesticides on the skin.
I usually wash fruits and vegetables with one of these two all-natural fruit and veggie cleaners:
But in an effort to be a little more self-sustaining, I have been looking for other safe ways to effectively wash my produce. I came across an all-natural recipe on eHow that uses apple cider vinegar (preferably organic), lemon juice and cold water (lemon juice and vinegar have natural anti-bacterial properties):
Mix equal parts of these ingredients - I used 1 cup of each. Carefully pour into a clean spray bottle and spray on produce to wash. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Store the Produce Spray bottle in the refrigerator. *Recipe and cute label will be part of the Freebies later this week*
As our freebie today, I made a Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen Shopping List for YOU!
You can print this out for your shopping lists/shopping trips and you'll always have the not safe to buy conventional produce and the safer to buy conventional produce on your list. You can also print out the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen list and mount it on paper and keep it with your coupon folder or on your fridge - like this:
Want your own freebie printable? Go here and take one - and tell your friends!
I am linking this to some of my favorite linky parties.
I am linking this to some of my favorite linky parties.
Woo Hoo another great idea, thank you. I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! Love it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this tip. We've got tomatoes, cucumbers and shard out this year so will give this a try.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip. I often wash my veggies and fruits in a vinegar rinse. I'm glad to have another method.
ReplyDeletecan you use Basic H2 as a produce wash?
ReplyDeleteLisa-
ReplyDeleteSome Shaklee customers and distributors use H2 as a produce wash - I prefer to use it in hundreds of other non-food ways. Shaklee doesn't sell it as for human consumption (it isn't bottled or made in a food prep facility) so I am not comfortable using it that way :)