The "Dirty" Dozen

More and more studies are showing how important it is to eat organic. We are not the wealthiest family around, but we make nutrition a top priority on our "spending" needs. With all the processed foods and high fructose corn syrup everywhere you turn it can be difficult and/or time consuming to eat healthy. Actually, that's just another excuse a lot of us like to use ( I use it too.) My family eats processed and boxed foods. Mostly snack crackers and flavored rices- I think anything not from the ground or in a tree is considered processed. We try to make the best choices though. Organic and/or all natural crackers/snacks/cookies (kid stuff). Whole gain couscous and wild rices; more times than not the rices/grains we purchase are organic as well. This is not for everyone, so don't think I am telling you to go out and do what I do!

I always get so confused on what produce is OK and which is not (organically speaking). I finally decided to print out 2 copies of the Dirty Dozen and put one on the fridge and one in my purse!

Whether you are on a budget and need to prioritize your organic purchases, or you would simply like to know which type of produce has the highest pesticide residues-and which do not-the following guide from the Environment Working Group will help:

12 MOST Contaminated:

1. peaches


2. apples


3. sweet bell peppers


4. celery


5. nectarines


6. strawberries


7. cherries


8. pears


9. grapes(imported)


10. spinach


11. lettuce


12. potatoes

12 LEAST Contaminated:

1. onions


2. avocado


3. sweet corn (frozen)


4. pineapples


5. mango


6. asparagus


7. sweet peas (frozen)


8. kiwi fruit


9. bananas


10. cabbage


11. broccoli


12. papaya

So there you have it. "The List"

Questions for you:

Do you buy organic? If yes, what items? If no, why not?

Thanks!

Maverick Ranch Natural Meats Review

The more and more I read up on the latest research of organic and hormone free meats the more and more I am convinced that I need to make the switch! I was very glad to see Maverick Certified Organic Beef on sale a few weeks ago at my regular grocery store. It was still $4.19 for a 1 pound brick of meat, but that was at 40% off! I bought 2. I made a broccoli stir-fry for dinner tonight using the beef. It was really great tasting! Matt noticed a difference immediately. He actually thought it was ground venison ( I don't like ground venison that much and have never made it). He thought the texture was comparable to ground venison so he was a fan right away. Amara did not notice a difference and Miles could care less! I thought it was very good. I initially thought I would notice that big of a difference, but I can honestly say that this was some good beef. I am not a beef connoisseur by any means. I don't like more than a bite of well done steak. I will eat a real beef burger ( well done) on the 4th of July and a few other BBQ weekends, but I never full out crave beef. Well, let me take that back. When I was pregnant with Amara I had some weird fixation with Whoppers. I probably had at least one a week for a few months. At that point I probably had not eaten beef in 4 to 5 years, for no other reason than I never wanted it.

Back to the review. Maverick makes other products as well: Natural Buffalo, Free range Chicken, Natural lamb and lots more!

With all the concern of hormones, chemicals and other garbage given to the cows it is good to know that there are companies out there such as Maverick that raise their cattle pesticide, hormone and antibiotic free. I won't lie and say I will only buy this type of product all the time, but I will hunt for the sales and stock up when ever possible! I fully recommend Maverick Ranch Natural Meats!

Organic strawberries......are they better ( tasting) than non-organic???

A few weeks ago my local grocery store had organic strawberries on sale. I admit I don't regularly purchase fresh organic fruits and veggies. On occasion and while on sale is more my speed for now. I decided to get the organic strawberries not only because I hear that it's healthier ( for obvious reason including no chemicals!), but they were on sale!

Well, to my surprise ( kind of) they tasted so much better than the non-organic kinds. I am not sure what I expected, but it's true, these were so much better!! I had to make sure it was not all in my head though. Miles has sworn off strawberries for about a month now. He used to ask for them, but lately he will turn his nose up at them and even go as far as throwing them off his tray.

So back to the point. I gave ( shoved) a piece of strawberry in his mouth and he asked for "mo, mo, mo!" I knew there was something different about these berries. Amara likes strawberries just fine, but she even noticed how great they tasted and was sure to ask me why. I told her they were organically grown and did not use any chemicals at all. She wants me to only buy organic strawberries from now on. I might have to agree with her this time. Yes, they were that good! I am almost certain that I can't buy non-organic strawberries now. The taste alone has convinced me.

We also picked our first organic strawberry from our garden this week!! I even let Amara eat it. I am not good at giving up the first anything! It's a youngest child trait I think. She said it was as good as grandma's! Whew!

Fresh Body Market Review and Giveaway!

I am so lucky to have gotten the chance to use some very awesome products from Fresh Body Market. I opened the box to find the cutest mini milk jug filled with a gorgeous pink bubble bath (Strawberry Milk Bath). I also had the coolest cucumber shaped facial soap! It looks exactly like a cucumber—I am not kidding!

About Fresh Body Market:
At Fresh Body Market, we are dedicated to creating innovative all-natural, uniquely formulated body care products. We make fun products with serious benefits by using real fruits and vegetables, rather than commonly used extracts. In addition to our natural ingredients, we also love that our products are paraben free and vegan certified because we know that everyone (and that includes us) can indulge in our decadence guilt-free. We want people to enjoy the limited time they have to care for their mind, body and spirit.

So as you can see this is a great company! I love that all the products are ALL NATURAL!! I had a hard time actually finding the time to use my bubble bath (with 2 small kids I am sure you understand where I am coming from). I FINALLY made the time the other day and I am so glad that I did! As soon as I twisted off the cap of my milk jug my nose was filled with the most delightful aroma. It smelled like a heavenly strawberry milkshake! No empty calories here! What I liked most about this bubble bath (besides the smell) was that the bubbles actually lasted the duration of the bath. You know how sometimes the bubbles fade away after 5 minutes? Not these!It's nice when you don’t have to keep adding them so they last longer. I vow to make the time for more baths for myself.
From the site:
BENEFITS: Organic Coconut Milk - Penetrates and moisturizes the skin while minimizing damage from sun exposure that causes sagging, wrinkling and blemishes. Removes dead skin cells, producing an even texture and glow.

I am in love with the Q-Cumber facial Soap!! Not only did it resemble an actual cucumber, but it is made with real cucumber water!! The great people at Fresh Body Market also included a cucumber cutter so I could slice off a piece to use each time I needed to wash my face. How clever is that?!?!
From the site:

BENEFITS: Cucumber Water - Nutritional benefits include natural salts, enzymes, and vitamins essential for strong cell growth, toned skin and helps shrink pores. Cucumbers have the same pH as the skin so they help to restore the skin’s protective and natural acid mantle. Cucumber is naturally a powerful astringent that helps tighten the skin and smooth out the wrinkles and fine lines.
I have been using the soap for about 1.5 weeks now and I can honestly say that my skin looks and feels better. I don’t wear makeup (maybe 2x/month), but I do sweat a lot; everyday in fact. I am a group exercise instructor and a runner and lately my skin has been misbehaving! This Q-Cumber soap has made a big difference in its appearance. My skin is softer and not as oily I have noticed.
I recommend these products wholeheartedly! All of the products on their site would make great gifts for anyone—especially yourself!
The fine people at Fresh Body Market were nice enough to offer a giveaway for the same items I reviewed! Here are the rules:

MAIN RULE (this must be followed or no other entries will count!) Log onto the Fresh Body Market website and tell me 2 products you would like to try ( besides the ones I reviewed)
1 extra entry- subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know that you already have) in a separate comment.
~Sign up to follow my blog.
1 extra entry- Write a post in your blog linking to my blog
1 extra entry- Write a post in your blog linking to the Fresh Body Market site.
1 extra entry-Follow me on Twitter. Fitcrazedmomma ( sidebar easy access!)
1 extra entry-Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to include the link in your comment so I can check!)
*you have 7 chances to enter……. Please be sure to separate your entries in the comment box.*This giveaway will run through 11:59pm of May 28th and the winner will be announced by the afternoon of May 29th. The winner will be chosen by using Random.org from all valid entries and will be contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me before they forfeit their prize. Giveaway is open to US residents only.