A Heated Debate Over Strawberries

Berries, in general, are known for their antioxidant and nutritional properties. Eaten raw, they can be instrumental in improving our immune system and fighting disease, like cancer. But not all berries are equal. For example, one cup of conventional strawberries (halved) have approximately 149% of vitamin C, 29% of manganese, 3 grams of fiber and numerous pesicides! While some pesticides will wash off, not all will because many pesticide residues are found on the inside of fruits and vegetables.

Recently there has been some controversy over a new pesticide for strawberries.  Apparently methyl idodide, the new chemical pesticide in question, is causing a "bitter disagreement" between California's State Department of Pesticide Regulation and a scientific review committee.  It's true that we all want to profit from our food, though in different ways.  Those who sell it want to make as much money as they can and those who consume it want it to keep themselves healthy.  Therefore, it's not surprising that this new pesticide is causing such a stir.  Click here for the NY Times article.

By the way, strawberries are on the dirty dozen list.  What's the dirty dozen list?  It's a list of fruits and vegetables that, after being tested, have very high pesticide residues which washing will not remove.  Therefore, it is recommended to consumers that if they are going to buy items on the dirty dozen list, they should choose only those that are certified organic.

So keep on eating your fruits and vegetables and beware of those toxic pesticides!

~ Lisa

Resource:
http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/Pesticide/fs24.consumer.cfm

To be or not to be...healthy. That is the question.

Being healthy takes a lot more than just eating fruits and vegetables.   But for the sake of this article, the topic is fruits and vegetables! 

It's All Relative

When someone says they eat fruit and vegetables, what exactly do they mean?  Do they mean that they eat canned or cooked, frozen, dehydrated or fresh, organic or conventional, home-grown or store bought?  As you can see, it's not black and white. 

When I talk about eating fruits and vegetables, I mean fresh, organic produce, preferrably home-grown or from a farm.  There are many reasons why I believe that organic produce is best.  Here are some of the reasons I've found to be the most important:

• They are free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and sewer sludge (and who knows what else).  Not many people realize the impact that these have on our bodies and that they are cumulative.  Please note:  Pesticides etc... can run (when it rains) and blow over (from the wind) from non-organic farms which just can't be helped.
• They are more flavorful. This is not just my opinion. It's a fact.  And when food tastes good, you want to eat it.  Also, there's no need to add anything when it's flavorful, though adding fresh sqeezed lemon juice or nuts to create a new dish (just a couple of examples) adds more nutrition and taste.
• They have more nutritional value because they are picked, distributed and sold much more quickly than conventional because they are picked when they are ready to be eaten.  They have no processes to go through.  In other words, many conventional fruits and vegetables are picked long before their time and are put through a process to give it the appearance of being ripe when it's really not.  This is why it's not as flavorful as its organic counterpart.  However, it is always important to know where the produce is coming from and the time frame in which it's picked to the time it gets to the store and on your table.  This is why home-grown is best.  The less time in between picking the fruit or vegetable and eating it, the more flavor and nutrition it has.
• Eating fresh organic produce, as opposed to canned or cooked, provides necessary enzymes our bodies need to help us digest our food and absorb the nutrients.  If you eat all or mostly cooked foods your body must produce the enzymes for you.  After time and as you age, this process slows down and your body cannot produce the enzymes needed.  This can result in disease.
• Besides having a positive effect on your physical well being, they also have a physiological effect on you.  Just knowing you're feeding your body truly healthy food elevates your mood.

I know I've said this many times before, but organic produce is not a cure-all and is no guarantee for good health.  Here's another thing to consider:  If your body is not absorbing nutrients, then there's a bigger problem that should be addressed with a Naturopath who can discover the underlying problem(s).  A medical doctor, unless they also practice integrative or natural medicine or unless they are well versed on natural healing, is not equipped to help in this instance.

Here's to opening our eyes to the truth!

Lisa