The "Dirty Dozen"

If you can't buy everything organic, here is the bare minimum list of globally known "Dirty Dozen" - produce that you should ONLY buy in organically grown varieties. Pesticides used on many crops remain a major health concern today because they present health risks such as disruptions in normal functioning of the nervous system and increased risk of cancer.

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries (domestic)
6. Nectarines
7. Sweet Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Collard Greens/ Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (imported)

Source:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/dirty-dozen-foods#slide-1
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/dirty-dozen-foods-list-2013_n_3132788.html#slide=2365940

Seasons of Fruit

Seasons of Fruit

When you buy fruit during its right season, during a majority of the time, it is cheaper, tastes better, and is better for the environment (as it can be locally grown).

This is my attempt at doing a pun on "Seasons of Love" from Rent... Seasons of Fruuuuiiiuuuuut

Or what about, "Winter spring summer or fall. All you gotta do is call. And I'll be there, yeah yeah yeah. You got a friend"

Season	Fruit
Year-Round	Apples Avocados Bananas Coconut Lemons Papayas
Spring	Apricots Honeydew Limes Mango Oranges Pineapple Strawberries
Summer	Apricots Blackberries Blueberries Boysenberries Cantaloupe Cherries Figs Grapefruit Grapes Honeydew Key Limes Nectarines Peaches Plums Raspberries Strawberries Watermelon
Fal	Cranberries Grapes Key Limes Kumquats Pear Pineapple Pomegranate
Winter	Clementines Dates Grapefruit Kiwi Oranges Pear Tangerines

Buying Organic

Something that I don't understand about American agriculture and corporations is why organic food is so expensive? Obesity is a huge problem in the United States especially, and yet, the cheapest things in grocery stores are greasy salty potato chips and not carrot sticks. Also, potato chips are right in front of the checkout line, so you are more likely to snag them as your checking out rather than running all the way over to the produce.

Here's why organic food is so expensive, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

• Environmental protection. For example, rotational periods which are necessary to build soil fertility;

• Higher standards for animal safety and fairness

• Avoidance of health risks to farmers due to inappropriate handling of pesticides 

• Rural development by generating additional farm employment and assuring a fair and sufficient income to producers.

• Supply and demand of organic food. Less people want it than is being produced. 

Nevertheless, here are some tips to getting organic food at a lower price:

• Use coupons
• Buy in bulk. Bring your own plastic container to an organic store and fill up on dried beans for example. Around 5 cans of beans yields 1 pound ( $7 estimate) and 1 pound of dried beans is around $2. 
• Buy store brand organic 
• Buy fruit in its season