Organic Produce Definition & Tips

If you have been considering moving over to an organic or at least 100% natural lifestyle, but didn't really know where to begin... here is a good guide to produce picking.

If you have ever wondered which produce has the tendency to pick up more pesticides and toxic chemicals than others -- here is a list that will help you figure out which fruits and veggies are worth your extra hard earned money each month.

RANK FRUIT OR VEGGIE SCORE
1 worst Peaches 100 (highest pesticide load)
2 Apples 89
3 Sweet Bell Peppers 86
4 Celery 85
5 Nectarines 84
6 Strawberries 82
7 Cherries 75
8 Pears 65
9 Grapes - Imported 65
10 Spinach 60
11 Lettuce 59
12 Potatoes 58
13 Carrots 57
14 Green Beans 53
15 Hot Peppers 53
16 Cucumbers 52
17 Raspberries 47
18 Plums 45
19 Grapes - Domestic 43
20 Oranges 42
21 Grapefruit 40
22 Tangerine 38
23 Mushrooms 37
24 Cantaloupe 34
25 Honeydew Melon 31
26 Tomatoes 30
27 Sweet Potatoes 30
28 Watermelon 28
29 Winter Squash 27
30 Cauliflower 27
31 Blueberries 24
32 Papaya 21
33 Broccoli 18
34 Cabbage 17
35 Bananas 16
36 Kiwi 14
37 Sweet peas - frozen 11
38 Asparagus 11
39 Mango 9
40 Pineapples 7
41 Sweet Corn - frozen 2
42 Avocado 1
43 (best) Onions 1 (lowest pesticide load)


Note: This list is a reprint from the Environmental Working Group. EWG is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food. For more information please visit www.ewg.org.

The National Organic Standards Board Definition of "Organic"

The following definition of "organic" was passed by the NOSB at its April 1995 meeting in Orlando, FL.

"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.

Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."

If you are looking for a one stop organic shop -- try looking at Kushtush Organics. (http://www.kushtush.com).

They carry a line of everything from healthy, eco-safe organic bedding for your family, and baby's natural nursery to natural remedies for relief from allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Organic sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, mattresses and toppers, bed pillows -- you name it. Organic Bathroom is covered with their extensive collection of plush organic cotton bath towels, and bathrobes.

Customer Care: 888-336-3017

Try them out and tell us what you think.

Natural Cure for Constipation

Ok so over Christmas, all of the adults had this bad flu bug. Ironically, none of our kids caught it, knock on wood! We all had slightly different versions of it -- unfortunately after two days of lying in bed and barely anything to eat, I find myself not feeling so good now. I haven't been regular since and so I consulted a few homeopathic friends for help. I thought I would share the goods:

Constipation can be many things but for definition sake, it is irregular bowel movement. It can be caused by poor intake of fluids or a poor diet consisting of mostly refined foods & high fat. Constipation may occur either because you have weak colon muscles or no regularity in bowel movements. It is advised not to take any chemical laxatives to treat your constipation as this can and usually does form a habit.


Prevention of Constipation


>> Drink a lot of purified water, at least 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water daily (1 gallon).
>> Eat fresh, organic foods with dietary fibers such as prunes, figs, cereals, fruits, and nuts.
>> Eat an organic apple (keep the skin on) daily.
>> Organic guava eat with the seeds)will provide roughage and usually produces regularity.
>> Avoid highly refined, high fat and starchy foods.
>> Reduce intake of foods with refined sugar and white breads and foods prepared with white flour (bleached and unbleached white flour).
>> Keep your physical activity level moderate to high at least three times a week. Exercise keeps your muscles toned inside and out.


Here are a few Organic and Natural Home Remediesfor Constipation -- Note: this list should not replace consultation from your physician or health care provider. This is meant to be a helpful guide. Should you have irregular bowel movements for more than 7 days, it is suggested that you seek advice from your health care provider.

>> Drink a glass of warm water with 1 tsp organic honey and juice of 1/2 an organic lemon/lime in the morning before you eat or drink anything.
>> Organic Liquorice is a natural laxative. Chew a few sticks.
>> Take 3 tsp of organic psyllium husk in warm organic milk or warm water at bed time. This should produce results in the morning without cramping.
>> Soak a few organic dates overnight in luke warm water. Next morning mash the date and drain the water. Drink 1 teaspoon of this water four times for a day.
>> Combine 1/2 c. organic olive oil with 1/2 c. organic orange juice and drink twice a day. This should produce results in 8-12 hours.
>> An Indian remedy: put some curry leaves (curry patta) in hot water for a few minutes and then take out. Combine with honey and eat.
>> Eat at least 18 organic grapes daily. The combination of the properties of cellulose, sugar and organic acid in grapes makes it a laxative food. Eating grapes tones up the stomach and intestines and relieves the most chronic constipation. When fresh grapes are not available, organic raisins soaked in warm water can be used.
--->Note: Overweight and diabetic people should not use grape therapy.
Put Senna pods (6 to 12 for adults and 3 to 6 for children) in boiling water and steep for 2-5 minutes. Drink as a tea.
>> Organic bale fruit is the best natural laxative.
>> Mix organic flax oil (about half a tsp) with equal quantity of organic honey and drink daily.
>> An organic juice Laxative: combine 1 c. organic tomato juice, 1/4 c. organic carrot juice, and 1/2 c. organic sauerkraut juice and drink.

Note: this list should not replace consultation from your physician or health care provider. This is meant to be a helpful guide. Should you have irregular bowel movements for more than 7 days, it is suggested that you seek advice from your professional health care provider.

Organic Living Tips - Recycling

I just got through with my daily chores and putting the twins to bed ... doing the dishes, picking up toys, and finally sitting down to read the stack of Holiday letters filling our foyer basket. It made me think a lot about recycling today. And as much as I LOVE reading the yearly letters and receiving photos of our friends & family, I think about how to better organize my recycling effort this month:

Tips for organizing your recycling effort & some simple tips for "pre-cycling":

Consider the products and packaging you are choosing to use and eliminate extra waste before you use it. For example, when you make a small purchase, leave the bag behind. Shred your receipts and mail at home. Using a criss-cross shredder (add colored paper to create decorative packaging filler). You can then use these shreds to pad packages that you send later this month to family and friends for the Holidays.

Use recyclable products: Paporganics has a fantastic array of recycled paper greeting cards, wrapping paper and biodegradeable ribbons. Made from a hemp/flax and post consumable paper blend, these products are as beautiful as they are practical. If you're interested, take a look at their selection >> Recycled Greeting Cards & Paper.

When you're doing your Holiday shopping, take along a reusable bag. Try to stay away from collecting brand new paper or plastic bags. Did you know that it takes take upwards of 1000 years for these plastic shopping bags to biodegrade?

Try to switch to using only sponges instead of paper towels. If you're worried about the sponge carrying bacteria, add it to your nightly dishwasher run or let it soak in boiling water for a few minutes.

Switch from paper napkins to cloth. The small amount of water & biodegradeable soap you will use to clean these every week will more than make up for the cutting down of needless trees and later paper waste in landfills.

When doing your grocery shopping, seek out products that are packaged in recycled (glass and aluminum) containers -- or even reuse the container. Stay away from styrofoam and plastic packaging. Most eco-friendly grocery stores have eliminated styrofoam from their shelves. Last but not least, do not buy your kids anything in foil lined packaging like juice boxes. These containers cannot be recycled and take centuries to biodegrade. Eco-friendly engineers are on a mission to produce a new type of packaging, but this might be a while. In the mean time, get your kids a reusable sippy cup like the Nalgene Grip-n-Gulp kid's sippy cup The cup does not off-gas or leach chemicals from traditional plastic.

An obvious one, but hard to resist sometimes when entertaining over the holidays -- try to buy multiple-use items. In other words, stay away from paper plates, plasticware, disposable napkins, etc.

Buy your produce, fruits and grains in bulk. When you grocery shop, plan ahead by bringing a reusable container for these lose bulk items. If at all possible, get your dairy products directly from an organic dairy farm. Usually they have you bring their glass or refillable container back each time you visit.

Just a few ideas to kick off the holiday season and start the new year's resolution to be better with our recycling effort. Cheers!