Dirty Dozen

by kelsey | Jun 22, 2011 | Food

Recently the Environmental Working Group released their findings of produce are most contaminated by pesticides (known as the dirty dozen) and those that are the cleanest. The rankings reflect the amounts of chemicals on the food when eaten. The samples are washed and peeled before testing, however it is difficult to remove all pesticides because some may be taken up by the entire plant and/or may reside on more than just the skin. Pesticides are used for several reasons. They are used  in efforts of preventing food borne illnesses  and more recently have been used to promote a longer shelf life. Even though the pesticides may be found in small amounts and long term affects are unknown, it’s still useful to practice proper food safety and be knowledgable of the dirty dozen list. Stay tuned to learn about the Clean 15 tomorrow!

-Kelsey

The Dirty Dozen

Summer Salads

by kelsey | Jun 21, 2011 | Food

Summer salads have been very popular in restaurants lately. I see commercials or advertisements for new tasty summer salads almost daily. It’s always fun to go out to eat, however you can make these tasty (and healthy) salads right at home! Try adding some grilled chicken, tuna, or even beans or lentils to your salad to give you some protein. You can also add fruit and various cheeses. Be sure to watch the dressing as that’s where the calories add up! When choosing a lettuce the darker the color the more nutrients you are going to get. Try adding some spinach or dark leafy greens to your salad next time and enjoy the flavor and color!

-Kelsey