Strawberries - Is Organic Important?

We feel terrible that we're about to break your hearts, but it's inevitable if we are to continue our conversation about organic versus nonorganic and the infamous "Dirty Dozen". We do believe that strawberries are one of America's favorite fruits - it's certainly one of ours, so it's sad to think that this beautiful, red, and luscious fruit tops the list as one of the Dirty Dozen. Who would have guessed the glorious strawberry could ever be considered "dirty"?

Well, maybe it's because all the insects of the world feel as passionately about this fruit as we do and the only way for us to eat it before they do, is to spray, spray, spray. And spray, spray, spray they do. According to Cindy Burke's book, "Some organic growers joke that conventionally grown strawberries are so full of chemicals, you could grind them up and use them as a pesticide." I don't know about you, but we don't see the funny in that one! Sadly, 65 different pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides are registered for use on the much loved strawberry.

According to Cindy's research, strawberries are the most chemically intensive crop in California. Many commercial strawberry growers use methyl bromide, a toxic, ozone-depleting chemical to eradicate all fungus, nematodes, microorganisms, and weeds, effectively killing every living thing in the soil where strawberry plants are grown. AND THEN, for the remaining growth cycle, the plants are drip-fed chemical fertilizers. Because methly bromide can cause poisoning, neurological damage, and reproductive harm, the EPA classifies it as a Toxicity Category One compound, which is a classification reserved for the most deadly substances it regulates. Wonderful.

If your heart is still intact, brace yourself for this. When the PDP releases its annual lists of produce samples with residues present after harvesting, that exceed tolerance levels, strawberries appear more often than any other fruit or vegetable.

Sorry. So So Sorry.


Of course, there is a solution to all of this! You can support your local organic growers, which in turn, will help drive prices down in the future, or you can grow your own - like us!


Coming Soon... A Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner - You Choose! And You Even Get To Eat Organic Strawberries With It....

Chicken - Is Organic Important?

We’ve got a question for you. How healthy do you think you would be if you lived in a cage within a large sheltered warehouse, that provided artificial lights only, with next to nothing to do but eat and gossip, and you shared this warehouse with 25,000 other gossipers. How fat and emotionally unhealthy do you think you would you be? Seriously!

Welcome to the world of commercially raised chickens! Not only do they live under these conditions, but arsenic is a government approved dietary supplement for these poor chickens. Many producers claim that the arsenic does not end up in the meat, but in 2004 the National Board of Health warned that arsenic levels in chicken meat were a lot higher that previously acknowledged. When actual testing was done in 2006, it was found that three-quarters of conventional brands of chicken sold in supermarkets or fast-food restaurants contained detectable levels of arsenic, compared to only one-third of organic chickens. To be fair, we are exposed to arsenic in other areas, such as our drinking water, seafood, and building materials, so chickens are not the only source of this poison, but make no mistake about it – they are a source of arsenic in our diet.

Question number two: Have you ever tried to catch a chicken? They are super fast. They love to run and play and fight and be free.


Organic chickens that are afforded the luxury of regular exercise and arsenic-free food are sure to be healthier chickens, and in turn, a better source of meat protein for us, wouldn’t you agree? And maybe the 25,000 chickens caged sided by side in that large artificially lit warehouse don’t actually gossip, but seriously, what else are they doing in there – running in place and meditating?


To learn more, check out ….
To Buy or Not to Buy Organic by Cindy Burke


Coming Soon, as promised..... Oven Fried Chicken!

"The Clean Fifteen"

Jen and I are both big believers in eating organic foods as much as possible and we consider ourselves lucky that we each have the ability and acreage to grow fruits and vegetables right in our own backyards. Jen has more than enough room to plant for and feed an entire army - me, not so much.

Jen and Barry raise their own chickens to get the best tasting and nutrient-rich eggs and if their chickens go on vacation, I try to score some from my sister or my Dad. My brother-in-law is the "go-to guy" for the organic, free-range chickens. He's the BEST because he knows how I feel about ugly chickens, so he guarantees me the cream of the crop.

Several years ago, my dad found a gentleman willing to sell us premium organic beef for the price of conventional beef, so we're crazy about that guy. He's a good man raising his cattle the right way and letting the rest of us reap the benefits. Also, new good friends have offered up their high-quality beef, so we consider ourselves extremely lucky to have all these resources available to us.

Still, eating organically can get expensive - fast! I know sometimes I get caught up in grabbing organic everything without really thinking about whether everything needs to be bought this way. Author Cindy Burke debates organic versus non organic in her book, "To Buy Or Not To Buy Organic" and in it she has two lists: The Clean Fifteen and The Dirty Dozen.

Today, we're going to address the Clean Fifteen because it's quick and easy. These fifteen foods are the foods that are the least likely to contain pesticide residue, even if they are not organically grown. Sometimes it's just not profitable enough to use pesticides on the crop, or maybe the plant has a weird or bitter taste that bugs just don't like. Of course, there are the natural predators who do the work for the farmer. Whatever the reason, these are the fifteen that year after year have showed little or no pesticide residue.

So, if you're trying to eat more organically, but your wallet's a little light, save what money you do have and spend it on the dirty dozen. The Clean Fifteen is where you can buy conventionally and feel okay doing it.

"The Clean Fifteen"

Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kiwi
Mango
Onions
Papaya
Pineapple
Shelling Peas
Sweet Corn
Garlic
Watermelon (domestically grown)

What are you waiting for? Go get yourself some shelling peas!


Coming Soon... Zucchini Quesadinnis!!!