ECO TIPS Eating Green

The old adage “you are what you eat,” might seem cliché, but as scientists conduct more and more research on the effects of pesticides on the human body, it’s becoming apparent that the old phrase rings true. While it’s easy to understand the value of eating organic, it’s often expensive and difficult to implement the necessary changes in our own eating habits. Here are our quick tips for making eating green just a little easier on your wallet and your waistline. 

CSA Boxes Sad but true: eating organic can be seriously expensive. Our trick? CSA boxes! Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) is a great way to get local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Sign up for a weekly or bi-weekly subscription, and you’ll receive a bodacious box of fresh veggies straight from the farm. The cost of a CSA box is usually far below what you’d pay in store. Search for CSA boxes in your area at localharvest.org.  Oh, and be sure to look for programs that partner with organic farms—not all CSA boxes have organic goods.

Avoid the Dirty Dozen If buying organic all the time just isn’t an option for you, prioritize your picks. The Environmental Working Group releases an annual list of foods that have the most pesticide and herbicide residue—if you can, you should only buy these foods organic. The list includes: apples, celery, bell peppers, peaches, strawberries, nectarines, grapes, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, blueberries, and potatoes. Check out the EWG website to find our which foods are the lowest in pesticide residue.

Grow Your Own There’s no better way to ensure what goes into your food than growing it yourself. Start your own little organic vegetable garden! There’s nothing better than a simple salad with fresh lettuce, sun-ripened tomatoes, and crunchy cucumber picked right from your yard. Yumm!

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