Vote with your dollars and buy organic!

It can be frustrating trying to figure out what to buy organic, local, BPA-Free, no carcinogens or parabens.....the list can go on like the ingredients of a candy bar. You begin to think how expensive the changes will be, then you get confused as to which products to purchase.


I was very confused but now I'm starting to get the hang of it. It started about five years ago, after watching documentaries, reading books (specifically ones like I talk about below) really helped me understand what goes into my products. After watching Food, Inc and reading so many books I was intrigued and motivated to change how I shop for food and personal care products. 

Sophie Ullano "Gorgeously Green" book was on the Oprah Winfrey show and she introduced me to this whole new way of buying personal care products from shampoo to detergent. I couldn't believe the amount of carcinogens, phthalates, parabens and every other element on the periodic table. It was scary but I took it head on. My first step was to rid my house of all products that had fragrance in them which were pretty much everything. Then I started to see what it was I couldn't live without (i.e. mousse for my curly hair) so I started researching it online and talking to the folks at Whole Foods (which were very helpful). I've tried at least 10 different brands and finally found one that works for me. That's what I've done so far. It can be hard on a fixed income so don't feel pressure to spending hundreds of dollars on items you can't afford. I still use some things that might have chemical ingredients but eventually I will change them too. As an environmentally-conscious person I also have to be economically-conscious or else I'll be living with my parents again so, take your time. 


For more information on how to shop for safer, healthier and cleaner products go to EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and search for more than 65,000 products. Always read your labels!

The Environmental Working Group has been tirelessly working on educating and bringing awareness to all things pesticides. They have an excellent iPhone app for "The Dirty Dozen" Shopper's List of the top 15 fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides. If this isn't an easy way to help consumers choose what to buy organic let me know and I will post updates. Today, The Huffington Post had a great article on 15 fruits and veggies with most pesticides and to note Dr. Andrew Weil, HuffPost Blogger said, "We have very good data showing that if people eat organic that measurable pesticide levels in their tissues drop, and this has been shown with kids as well," told EWG last year when they released the 2010 Shopper's List. "I've always said that it would be wise to learn which crops are more likely to carry pesticide residues and in those instance to try to get organic versions or to reduce consumption or avoid the conventional varieties."*

*HuffPost - Dirty Dozen: The 12 Fruits And Vegetables With The Most Pesticides

Farmers Market is one of the most important places to shop for fruits, vegetables and in some cases personal care products too! I can't stress how much I love going to my farmers market because I've tasted the freshness and flavors and seen the vibrant colors no fruit market can ever show me. I appreciate farmers now more than ever because I know what manual labor looks like when harvesting the foods we eat every day. I want my dollars to go to farmer because I get to meet them, talk to them and ask them as many questions as I'd like, now that's what I call customer service. You can almost see the sense of pride they have knowing they've raised these crops and helped bring to a dinner table near you. So I say, vote with your dollars, we get to do it three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information on where your local farmers market are go to Local Harvest. “The best organic food is what’s grown closest to you”