I just love this time of year. The farmers markets are all in full swing and the great outdoors is so inviting. I see so many more people outside enjoying their yards, walking, hiking, biking and just taking in the beauty of the scenery around us. My weekends usually consist of a run or hike on Saturday mornings with Mike, followed by a trip to the farmers market. I am never disappointed in the local fresh fruits and veggies delivered to us by our hard working local farmers. After trying to cultivate my small garden for the second year, I have a healthy respect for all those who supply us with delicious healthy produce and meats. Seriously, maintaining a garden is hard work, filled with disappointments when the green horned worm eats your tomatoes (sorry, I am still not over that one). Organic foods are my food of choice most of the time, but there is a new list out of some non-organic foods that may be clean enough to consume without the worry of pesticides. The Environmental Working Group has a new 2013 Shopper’s guide to Pesticides in Produce. It is called the Dirty Dozen (buy only organic) and the Clean Fifteen (can buy nonorganic, because little or no pesticide residue was found). The farmers markets have many vendors that supply organic products and we know they are grown local with no pesticides. Some vendors grow local, but are not organic so know your veggies and fruit and choose wisely. The great thing about farmers markets is the local transportation used to bring the food straight from the farmto your table. The foods are fresh and delicious, and you are helping to support our local farmers. I have found that the farmers or vendors are happy to discuss how they farmand what they use on their crops to avoid pest and fungus. The vendors selling meat are also more than happy to discuss their methods as well. Be an informed consumer, after all we are what we eat. Sometimes that could be scary. Following is the undated list of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables. Dirty Dozen—buy organic. Apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, cucumbers, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, kale, collard greens and summer squash. Clean Fifteen — can buy nonorganic, beware of some produce that has been genetically engineered, I have listed those foods in previous articles. Corn, onions, pineapples, avocados, cabbage, frozen sweet peas, papayas, mangoes, asparagus, eggplant, kiwi, grapefruit, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes and mushrooms. Ultimately the choice is yours, be an informed consumer so you can make the healthiest choice for yourself and your family. See you at the markets.
Linda Stollings is a wellness consultant
in Bristol, Tenn.Email her at lstollings@fitprescriptions.com.
