Going Green

Once upon a time, I worked at a little store called Everything Earthly. We sold hemp everything, organic cotton, shoes made of recycled tires, organic soaps, and the list just goes on and on. Back then my whole wardrobe consisted of organic cotton clothing, Birkenstocks and I was a vegetarian. I was obsessed with recycling, carried my own cup everywhere, god forbid I should have to drink out of Styrofoam. It was a way of life.

When I became pregnant and ate my first cheeseburger, there was no turning back. My peaceful, somewhat green existence was over. Who has time to think of all that when you're trying to keep a tiny human alive?

A lot of that lifestyle did stick with me though, and I think about these things all the time. As a parent I question if I'm feeding my kids the right stuff. Oh how I would love to buy all organic food. Our budget would really have to adjust, since organics cost so much more. I do buy organic eggs, milk, meats, some produce, but it usually depends on the budget. I definitely go with the organic milk and eggs because they're usually free range, and I like to think that my milk and eggs come from happy animals. Plus Costco has great prices on those.

But as for other organic foods, where to begin? I heard a radio show on Sirius Lime, where Kimberly Wilson a yoga instructor and author was being interviewed. She said that if you don't know how to shop organic, start with the foods that expose us to the most pesticides, which are usually soft skinned fruits. No amount of washing will eliminate the chemicals.

The list of the most contaminated fruits include: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. Whenever I buy grapes, they're usually imported from Mexico, and that scares me a little, actually a lot. Could Mexico be using pesticides that were outlawed in the US? I don't know about that, and don't have the energy or time to research. So, I think I'll be heading over to Sprouts with my handy dandy list.

Like Kermit the frog said, it isn't easy being green. But we've got to start somewhere, so why not start with what we put into our bodies.

Comments

[Open Grove Claudia]

This is such a dilemna. I also like organic food. I think it tastes better - but it's hard! Yes, Mexican fruit is grown with pesticides that are not allowed in the US. There is a strong organic movement in Mexico though....

I think it's about choices.

You know as "open grove claudia" I hear about all this weird stuff BUT... I read a study that said that food can become fattening if you believe it's fattening. I would guess that's true for food we think of as "poisonous" or "dangerous".

Just a thought

Plus I love Big Macs - not every day, but...

[Alyndabear]

Hrm. We buy free range eggs and stay away from mass produced milk brands, but as for everything else - here the prices for organic fruit and veggies are QUITE steep. =/ Shame, really, because I definitely support the idea behind them.