Organic or Conventional? Smarter Shopping, Better Health

Until recently, organic produce was found mainly in home gardens, quaint farmers’ markets and specialty health food stores. Over the past few years, however, the heightened eco-consciousness of the green movement and health concerns about chemicals used in conventional farming have led to consumer demand for fruits and vegetables grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, irradiation or biotechnology, making organic the fastest growing sector in the food marketplace.

In addition, research is beginning to support the contention that chemicals used in conventional farming can have a negative impact on health. The 2008-2009 annual report from the President’s Cancer Panel, “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now,” published in April 2010, encourages consumers to choose organically grown food to help decrease their exposure to environmental toxins, stating in their recommendations, “Give preference to food grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers and growth hormones.”

Despite being more widely available, the cost of organic produce can be as much as 40 percent higher than conventionally grown crops, placing it out of reach for many consumers. The good news is that choosing organic foods to improve your health doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes an annual Shoppers Guide to Pesticides based on lab tests conducted by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. According to the EWG, you can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly 80 percent by avoiding the 12 most contaminated conventionally grown fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce. When you eat fresh produce from the “Clean 15” (the least contaminated fruits and vegetables), you’ll be exposed to fewer than 2 pesticides per day, compared to as many as 67 pesticides per serving found in the “Dirty Dozen.”

The Dirty Dozen (always buy organic)

Ÿ Celery (most contaminated)

Ÿ Peaches                   Ÿ Strawberries  Ÿ Apples

Ÿ Blueberries             Ÿ Nectarines      Ÿ Bell peppers

Ÿ Spinach                     Ÿ Kale                    Ÿ Cherries

Ÿ Potatoes                  Ÿ Grapes (imported)

The Clean 15

Ÿ Onions (least contaminated)

Ÿ Avocados                 Ÿ Sweet corn     Ÿ Honeydew melon

Ÿ Pineapples              Ÿ Mangos            Ÿ Sweet peas

Ÿ Asparagus               Ÿ Kiwi                    Ÿ Eggplant

Ÿ Cantaloupe             Ÿ Watermelon   Ÿ Grapefruit

Ÿ       Cabbage               Sweet potatoes

Look Before You Leap!

If you are thinking about making some changes to your home in a small or large way, I always suggest that my clients do some homework. You have probably heard the old adage, "Measure Twice, Cut Once"?  That just means to make sure of what you are doing before you do something that cannot be reversed. Here are several places where you can gather ideas before you start making decisions and putting a budget and plan of attack together for any changes that you might like to make in your home.

1. Go and visit new model homes in your area! Builders are always cutting edge in the decorating, finishes and colors, so stopping to look at what they are showing and selling will give you some good ideas. Some builders do not mind if you take photos, but ask first!

2. Look at magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living and others that are on a typical magazine rack. You can always find an abundance of this type of resource at the checkout at Lowe's and Home Depot.  Put together a file or scrapbook of what you find that you really like. This can be a reference for you when you are ready to start the pricing process.

3. For great kitchen ideas, go to Cultivate.com. This is a site that features photos, a blog with discussions and great articles on everything kitchen. Many times the articles provide pros and cons, pricing and durability  of different finishes; for example, granite, concrete, quartz countertops, so that you can see what will work best for you.

4. I love Houzz.com for all the photos and great ideas for every budget! You can create a personal "idea book" where you can save the photos that you like. 

5. Check out Lonny.com which is a very cool online magazine that has a very trendy and sophisticated look. 

Tamara Hyland is a blogger for Renaissance Construction and Renovations.  She regularly contributes ideas for home improvements to the CMA blog.