Most important produce to purchase organic

Keep your household pesticide-free or save money? It's a never-ending struggle for most grocery shoppers, especially moms. Hopefully the day will arrive when produce farming is regulated and consumers won't have to endure the battle between wallet and wellness.

An article published today on Shine gives us the "dirty dozen," the twelve produce items that have the highest pesticide levels. It suggests that, if we can't afford to go organic all the way, we should at least consider it for these fruits and veggies.

1. apples
2. sweet bell peppers
3. carrots
4. celery
5. cherries
6. imported grapes
7. kale
8. lettuce
9. nectarines
10. peaches
11. pears
12. strawberries

Think I'll print out the list and place it in my coupon organizer so it's handy for my next trip to the grocery. Click the article link above in the second paragraph for further info.

Simply Organic: A Cookbook for Sustainable, Seasonal, and Local Ingredients