The TOXIC world we live in…
I usually like to start a blog on a positive note, but this statement is unfortunately true. We DO live in a toxic world, and our soil, water, and air are all paying the price. And let's not forget to mention the effects on our very own health!
This is a BIG conversation, but I'll simplify it by coming back to the fact that we are more disconnected from nature than ever before. The more toxic chemicals you bring into your life, the further away you move from nature.
In the 2nd half of the 20th century, a slogan came out that hinted at an easier, more hopeful future: "Better Living Through Chemistry." DuPont Company, a manufacturer of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, gave this enthusiastic expression of optimism about science, and its potential to solve virtually any human problem.
Now I'm all for science (Ayurveda is a holistic science!), but the problem is that harmful chemicals started showing up everywhere! They are in our food, body care products, cleaning products, home furnishings, building materials, plastic toys, art supplies...the list goes on and on.
Have you ever picked up a packaged food item and read the ingredients? More than likely there is a long list of chemicals; some that you may not even know how to pronounce. This isn't real food, but what food journalist, Michael Pollan, calls an edible, foodlike substance. These processed foods tend to have more than five ingredients, make health claims, are cooked by a machine and are advertised on television.
That's a perfect example of moving away from nature :(
Even our produce is sprayed with synthetic chemicals to keep insects away and increase food production. Non organic food, also known as conventional food, is generally grown with pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
“Someday we shall look back on this dark era of agriculture and shake our heads. How could we have ever believed that it was a good idea to grow our food with poisons?” – Jane Goodall, From the book Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating (2005)
So let's focus on the solution instead of the problem!! One way to limit your exposure to harmful chemicals is to EAT ORGANIC! Say NO to ingesting harmful chemicals, and eat food that hasn't been sprayed with pesticides or artificial fertilizers (at least to the best of your ability). This is also a huge way to support your liver! Your liver has to process everything that you take in, including your food, drinks, what you put on your skin, and the air that you breathe (future blog post!).
Other benefits to eating organic food is that you will get more nutrients, it tastes better, there are no GMO's, and it even boosts biodiversity.
Here is the complete list of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest amounts of pesticides this year. Try your best to eat ORGANIC on this list. If you want to start eating organic, this list is a great place to start!
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard & mustard greens
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Bell & hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green beans
The most important thing to look at is what you are eating daily. If you have strawberries in your oatmeal everyday, it's a good idea to buy organic strawberries. If you have non organic strawberries every once in a while, it won't be as harmful as ingesting it daily. Just try your best!
The ‘Clean 15’ is the top 15 conventional fruits & veggies with the least amount of pesticide residue. This list is less important to buy organic.
Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
Mangoes
Mushrooms
Watermelon
Cabbage
Kiwi
Honeydew Melon
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Papaya
Onions
Pineapple
Sweet Corn
Avocados
And lastly, here is a SUPER simple recipe to keep weeds AND harmful chemicals out of your yard. It can replace toxic weed killers like Roundup, which is harmful to your kids, pets, pollinators, bees, and entire hives for up to 3 miles away!
1 gallon white vinegar
1 cup salt
1 Tablespoon of dish soap
(simple, right?!)
Let's make a new catchy slogan....like "Better Living Through Nature!"
Be well,
Shannon