The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen

"I always buy organic."

" I wish I could, but it's too expensive."

"I heard there's no point."

"How can you say that? Everything else is terrible for you, AND the environment!"

There's really nowhere to turn and no one to trust in today's crazy world of food fanaticism, nutritionist culture, labels that tell you what to eat, what not to eat, Atkins Vs. Veganism, and a general lack of CONCRETE knowledge about what goes in to our food, and where it comes from. A lot of extreme ideologies about food have developed in this modern age. Personally, I have to say I find it fascinating that in America today, more people die from obesity than starvation, and while we have fought to have equal education for all, we have some of the least educated people in the world. Additionally, the biggest indicator of obesity is income. It's cheaper to buy burgers for your whole family then organic broccoli. But if you're thinking to yourself, "I can't afford smoothies and soy products every day, but I'd like to vote with my dollar," then this article is for you. Here are 15 foods that are just fine to buy conventionally because they are the least likely to contain pesticides, and 12 that you absolutely shouldn't buy any other way than the big O. (NOT an Oprah reference.)

The clean fifteen:

• Onions
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Sweet Peas
  
• Asparagus
  
• Kiwi
  
• Cabbage
  
• Eggplant
  
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
  
• Grapefruit
• Sweet Potato
  
• Honeydew Melon
  

The Dirty Dozen

• Celery
  
• Peaches
• Strawberries
  
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Nectarines
  
• Bell peppers
  
• Spinach
  
• Kale
  
• Cherries
• Potatoes
• Grapes

So there it is, a little money saving device for those of you who can't afford to shop at Whole Foods all the time. Here's hoping that someday, this won't be an issue, and safe foods will be the only option, and an affordable one at that. Until then, write on Micheal Pollan, keep fighting Morgan Spurlock, grow grow grow SlO Grown Produce, and stay on your toes consumers. If you want to have a discussion about it, come down and see us at Bambu Batu... we'd be happy to show you some kitchen ware you can eat your conventional AND organic foods off of!


Song of the day: "Aint Nuthin But a Party" by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band