Buy or Not to Buy

This past week I was on vacation and took a brief hiatus from my blog, but not from my adventure. I made a few discoveries during my break. One of which was cost, cost, cost. I purchased some Horizon Organic Milk, which I must say taste delicious and, as far as I can tell, just like the milk I am use to drinking. However, it was nearly $7. Whoa! Luckily, I signed up through Horizon's website to receive coupons. It's worth it right? Look at the current salmonella egg scare. A couple extra bucks spent toward organic eggs and maybe no one would be sick. It's not the consumer's fault by any means. Tougher regulations and government follow through would have prevented this tragedy from occurring in the first place.

But let's face it, cost does play a part in everything we purchase. So what products are on the must buy organic list? The Daily Green releases a yearly list of produce that is an organic must. The terrible 12 include celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, kale, cherries, potatoes, and grapes (remember grapes are used to make wine). The majority of these fruits and vegetables have extremely thin skin which allows for pesticides to seep into all of that deliciousness. Sometimes, washing just isn't enough. Also, by removing the skin of some of these fruits and vegetables, important nutritional elements are removed as well.

So, your shopping cart is getting full and the price of your good decision is rising. Although it is always best to buy organic, there are fruits and vegetables that are acceptable to eat that are not considered organic. Due to either a thick layer of protection or just that the produce does not attract pests, these fruits and vegetables will provide you with all of the health benefits they were meant to, as well as save you a little cash in the pocketbook. These money saving gems are: onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangos, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. Yum yum!

While we are all trying to eat safe and healthy food, don't feel too guilty the next time you pick up that avocado or pineapple. Good luck during your next grocery outing!

Have a Healthy Day,

Jessica


www.horizondairy.com
www.thedailygreen.com