Dirty Dozen

If you are looking at buying organic and worried about the price of it. I wanted to tell you about the "Dirty Dozen". What that means is that out of the fruit and vegetables we eat, these are the top 12 that you want to buy organic when and where available.
The reason these are "dirty" is that they have a soft skin and pesticides run all the way through to the center of that produce. You can not wash it off and we are taking those chemicals into our bodies.
These are the worst to the least affected...
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes (12)
The other produce out there is great to buy organic, but it would be wiser to focus on these first. And remember to buy in season and your Farmers Market. Great way to get more for less and the produce is usually more nutritious as well, when in season.
The reason this is important, for you and your family, is that cancer is on the rise. When our bodies have to work to rid it of chemicals and toxins, it works to hard. It also has damaging effects on the brain and throughout the body. Everything you eat is an investment. How important is it to you to have great health, not only today but in the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years?
Even if you can not buy organic for all 12 and on, start with the top three and slowly increase to a organic kitchen within time. This is a life changing experience. Do it right and always do it stages. This helps to not feel overwhelmed and it helps the pocket book.

Today's recipe is from Sara Snows book, "Fresh Living". Not only does she talk about the dirty dozen but also how to convert every room in the house to a safe and organic house. There are also recipes for food and to make your own household cleaners and more.

Fresh Pesto
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of Lemon
3 cups loosely packed fresh basil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp coarse sea salt
dash of pepper

In food processor pulse garlic, pine nuts, EVOO, and lemon juice until smooth. Add basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Pulse everything until blended and scrape down the sides and blend again until smooth. Then add over a nice bowl of whole grain pasta. I even add a little to sandwich's, taste great!!!!

Have a Blessed and Healthy day!!