| In the light of these studies, it is surprising that few | | | | solution of dishwashing liquid and water. Use a |
| studies have compared the health consequences of | | | | vegetable brush. Chop spinach, broccoli, cauliflower |
| eating organic and conventionally grown produce. Any | | | | and celery before washing. |
| fruits and vegetables are better than none. In a | | | | 3. Grow Your Own |
| study, those who ate the fewest plant foods had | | | | No matter where you live, you can grow at least |
| the highest cancer rates, and those who ate the | | | | some of your own fruits and vegetables organically. |
| most produce had the least cancer. Most pesticides | | | | If you do not buy organic, you can still minimize your |
| are fat-soluble. If you eat plants that have been | | | | exposure to pesticides by heeding the above |
| treated with them, you ingest a tiny amount of | | | | suggestions. |
| residue that accumulates in your fatty tissues, such | | | | 4. Do Some Research |
| as female breast tissue. | | | | Contact your state agriculture department or local |
| But the real problem develops when you eat animal | | | | extension service for referrals to organic growers in |
| fat. Food animals accumulate pesticides in their fat | | | | your area. Contact the farmers and ask how they |
| tissues throughout their lives. By the time people eat | | | | grow their produce and where they sell it. |
| them, they have much higher levels than any of the | | | | 5. Meet Your Greengrocer |
| feed plants they ate. When people eat meat, they | | | | Talk with your health food store or supermarket |
| consume most of the pesticides the animals ate. The | | | | produce manager. Ask for organic produce. |
| higher up the food chain you eat, the more toxic | | | | 6. Buy Your Produce By Mail |
| chemicals you ingest. The cleanest produce is organic. | | | | It is easier than you think. Pick those nearest to you |
| Even organically grown fruits, vegetables, grains and | | | | for the freshest items and lowest shipping costs. |
| beans may pick up some pesticide contamination | | | | Root vegetables - carrots, turnips and rutabagas - |
| because of chemicals in groundwater, in the air from | | | | are excellent mail-order choices. They ship well, and |
| neighbouring non-organic farms or from fumigation of | | | | when conventionally grown, root vegetables tend to |
| trucks and warehouses. But compared with | | | | accumulate higher levels of pesticides than other |
| conventionally grown produce, organic fruits and | | | | vegetables. |
| vegetables are significantly cleaner. If you opt for | | | | 7. Exercise A Little Skepticism |
| organic fruits and vegetables, the good news is that | | | | Unless you trust the vendor, do not place too much |
| they are more available than ever. Health food | | | | faith in handwritten signs. Look for certification label. |
| stores, farmer's markets and even some | | | | Labels include "Farm-Verified Organics." "Organic Crop |
| supermarkets now carry items called organic. So | | | | Improvement Association," "Organic Growers and |
| what are you waiting for? | | | | Buyers Association" and "California Certified Organic |
| 1. Support Your Local Farmers | | | | Farmers." Only California has a government-regulated |
| Buy foods in season and encourage your | | | | organic certification program. The other certification |
| supermarket to stock locally grown items, which are | | | | labels are granted to members of voluntary |
| less likely to be waxed and treated with postharvest | | | | associations who pledge to uphold certain voluntary |
| pesticides during transport and storage. | | | | standards. But any label is more trustworthy than a |
| 2. Scrub Up | | | | handwritten sign. |
| Wash all the fruits and vegetables with a dilute | | | | |