The Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen* and Weekend Plans

* information gleaned from the Environmental Working Group website after finding an outdated listing in Skinny Bitch.

I've been reading through the Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook for more nutrient dense recipes and right off the bat there's a section on buying organic. As my blog's name and heading indicates, I am mostly organic, but from reading the listing in the cookbook and then perusing the EWG website, it looks like I might need to get more organic for my family's sake.

The Dirty Dozen (These are the most pesticide filled of the bunch so buy these organic if possible.)

1. Apples - 98 percent of apples have pesticides (and we LOVE apples in my house)
   
2. Celery -  as many as 57 different pesticides!
   
3. Strawberries - as many as 13 different pesticides
   
4. Peaches
   
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines
   
7. Grapes
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
    
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/Collard Greens
    

From that list I only buy 3 items consistently organic: apples, spinach and lettuce. I also consistently buy organic carrots. Sam's Club makes the lettuce (salad) and carrot purchases much easier and affordable (half of what Target charges and in bulk). 

Clean 15 (lowest in pesticide)

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms
    

I noticed that bananas aren't on the clean list so that's good (I guess) because we always have bananas on hand for a perfect snack.  Earlier this week I had to purchase a watermelon for $14 (it's a huge one, mind you) from Natural Grocers because my local store sold out of the $7 watermelons on Saturday. So looking forward to that ice cold sweet hydrating treat this weekend.

Other plans for the weekend: to work in the yard, bake some treats (and maybe do a yard craft with the kiddos), swim, watch some Dexter episodes, have some beers, experience our first home game of the season (from the comfort of my home), watch Stepbrothers (I missed this when it came out), make lumpia (a friend of mine has never tasted this Filipino delight so I'm making some for tailgating), take pictures, and hang out with my beautiful little family.

Any big plans for you this weekend?