Semicolon Stories

A Safe Apple A Day…

January 25, 2010 at 4:58 pm Danielle B 3 comments

should really keep the doctor away – or at least hold him off if you’re like me.

Here’s my second recommendation for those of you interested in eating safer, healthier foods but have NO IDEA where to start. My first step was using the company Fresh Connect. My second step is knowing the “Dirty Dozen” and choosing to buy the organic version of these fruits & veggies.

The Environmental Working Group has made a list of the “Dirty Dozen” produce items that contain the highest levels of chemical and pesticide residues. Remember, the key is to start small, and this is one easy way to do that. Make a decision to start buying an organic version of ONE of these at first, and then break yourself in. You don’t jump into a cold pool all at once, you start by testing the water with your toe. So, do the same with switching to safer foods. Test the waters here, and choose a few of these to try. I’m not saying the organic version will necessarily taste different, but recognize how you feel afterward – both physically and mentally. If you’re like me, you will slowly work your way up to buying the organic version of almost all of these and find a way to make it work with your budget. It’s worth it.

Why?

Your body will be digesting foods it recognizes and not be distracted by processing strange chemicals that have been sprayed on the food. Your insides will stay focused on fighting disease, burning fat and keeping balanced hormones rather than going haywire because of a foreign chemical intruder. As a 26-year-old colon cancer survivor, this has become a priority for me as I can’t afford to have my body not focused on fighting off my naturally-causing genetic deficiencies because it’s preoccupied with Round Up on the peaches. I’m not saying this will keep my cancer away, but it sure won’t hurt that effort either. Whether you’re in my boat or not – do this for yourself and for your future health. I don’t think eating safe foods is something you’ll ever regret.

The Dirty Dozen

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Lettuce
• Imported grapes
• Pears
• Spinach
• Potatoes

Here are some places in the KC area that I go to buy organic produce. (ahem – come on Walmart, get with it!)

• Fresh Connect
• Nature’s Pantry (great place, little pricey, but still awesome)
• Hy-Vee (fresh produce isn’t in the Health Market specifically, it’s with the regular produce. Frozen is with the Health Market stuff though.)
• Target (smaller selection, but it’s there nonetheless)
• Whole Foods (for my Overland Park readers)
• Farmers Markets. Here’s a link Farmer’s Markets in the KC Area. Don’t forget about Lee’s Summit’s market who isn’t on the list yet! Also remember that even if the market doesn’t say it’s an “Organic Market,” there will be plenty of vendors there with organic produce.
• Jason’s Deli. I know it’s not a market, but if you’re hungry for a safe salad, this is the place to go. These guys have a ton of organic produce on their salad bar.

Did I miss any here? Write in and let me know if I need to add to the list!

Source of the Dirty Dozen: An Unhealthy Truth by Robin O’Brien, page 274

Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: colon cancer survivor, Dirty Dozen, Farmers Markets in KC, fresh connect, genetic mutation, Health Market, Jason's Deli, Nature's Pantry, organic, safe food, Unhealthy Truth.