Organic Grapes

Imported grapes are almost always at a greater risk of contamination than those domestically grown. Vineyards can be sprayed with up to 35 different pesticides and no amount of washing or peeling can eliminate contamination because of the grape's permeable thin skin. Safer alternatives include blueberries, kiwi and raspberries.

Organic Lettuce

Unless you can find organic, avoid those leafy greens all together. Lettuce and its leafy relatives are frequently contaminated with what are considered to be the most potent pesticides on food. If you can't find organic try cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

Organic Strawberries

Make sure the berries you're buying are organic; the average conventionally farmed strawberry receives a dose of up to 500 pounds of pesticides per acre. Buying these sweet berries out of season also means that they're most likely imported from other countries with less stringent regulations.

If you can't find organic, some safer alternatives are blueberries, kiwi and pineapples.

Organic Celery

Celery is one vegetable to stay away from unless it’s grown organic. The stalks have no protective layer of skin. That means it's virtually impossible to wash off the twenty-nine different chemicals used to grow this veggie.

If you're unable to find organic, some safer alternatives are broccoli, radishes and onions.

Organic Bell Peppers

Bell peppers have a very delicate skin that doesn't offer much of a barrier against the pesticides commonly used. Peppers are actually one of the most heavily sprayed vegetables, often coated with more than 40 pesticides meant to keep them insect-free.

If you can't find organic, some safer alternatives are green peas, broccoli and cabbage.

Organic Apples

Scrubbing and peeling the skin of fruit doesn't necessarily eliminate the chemical residue, so it's best to play it safe and buy organic apples.
Organic apples tend to taste much sweeter than those conventionally grown anyway.
If you can't find organic apples, some safer options are watermelons, bananas and tangerines.

Organic Peaches

Prepare to be astounded: forty-five different pesticides are regularly applied to these delicate-skinned fruits at conventional orchards.

If you can't find organic peaches, avoid them all together and opt for a safer alternative such as watermelon, tangerines, oranges and grapefruit.

Organic Coffee

Unfortunately, most beans are harvested in countries that have no regulations on chemicals or pesticides at all.

Look for the Fair Trade Certified seal on your package or can. This means that not only were the plants grown chemical and pesticide free, but also that fair prices were paid for the end product, helping support both the farm and its workers.

Organic Dairy

The fat in dairy products is a haven for pesticides, antibiotics and bovine growth hormones. This means that everything commercial farmers give their cows to grow big and produce lots of milk, you too are ingesting. Some studies suggest that the growth hormones in milk are causing teen girls to menstruate earlier and earlier.

Always go organic when it comes to milk, cheese and butter; the cows aren’t given chemicals and growth hormones like rGBH and rbST.

Organic Meat Continued

While your local market may carry organic meat options, I've found that the health food store is often the best choice. Once you try organic meats, you'll find that seasoning beyond the standard salt and pepper just isn't necessary, the natural flavors of the meat are delicious enough on their own!

Organic Meat

Unfortunately, chicken, pork and cow feed is grown with the help of pesticides, antibiotics and chemicals. That means that not only is the animal ingesting harmful toxins, but so are you when you eat the meat. While more expensive, it is always the better option to buy organic when possible. Not only is it better for you, but the meat will be much more flavorful.

to be continued…