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I will never claim to be an environmental expert. In fact, it’s my wife who has had the most influence on me in this area. She grew up in a household where NOTHING was ever wasted. The things that couldn’t be recycled (like the styrofoam trays that meat comes on) were thoroughly washed and sent to the local preschool so they could have one more life as paint trays. So from the moment my wife and I got a place of our own, a recycling bin has held a prominent place in our home. (And somehow, over the years, it became my “job” to take it to the recycling center.)

After we had our children, I became more aware of how the small things we do have the potential to impact not only the environment, but my children as well. So my wife gave away all of our chemical cleaners and started using a vinegar/dishsoap mixture for everyday cleaning. And I began pulling our dandelions by hand (damp soil aids in getting the entire root) instead of spraying them because I knew our children would be playing outside and picking the “flowers.”

This year, I’ve decided that it’s time to extend my environmentally responsible/family-friendly efforts into my landscaping business. I do not think chemicals are all bad, because I know that used in a responsible way, these chemicals are supposed to be safe. And I also know that there are many “natural” remedies that are just as toxic as some man-made solutions.

But as far as I can tell, there are many unanswered questions in this area and much of the research being done does not give definitive answers. So until I see unchallenged proof that one way is better than another, I am choosing natural products and environmentally friendly practices for my family. And this year, I am offering that same conscientious care to my clients’ families as well.

But as a first-time mom, the sheer number of “important, life-shaping” decisions overwhelmed me, so I eventually succumbed to what was easiest & most familiar.

Shortly after my second child started eating regular food, I came across an article online that listed “The 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticide residue.” The article said that by buying the organic versions of these 12 foods, you can eliminate up to 90% of your pesticide intake. For some reason, a lightbulb went on in my head (or maybe I was just coming out of my sleep-deprived new-parent fog)– I don’t have to buy EVERYTHING organic!

That article gave me some place to start where I felt like I could make a real difference in my children’s health, without going entirely organic. So after pleading my case to my husband, I gave him a list of the organic foods that we should buy.

It took us both a while to get used to it (the lists that we kept in our wallets became well-worn), but I really feel like we’re not only helping give our kids a healthy start, we’re also helping to support the farmers who go the extra mile to produce these foods. And as an added bonus, even my husband has gotten into the habit of reading labels and trying to make healthier choices when he goes to the grocery store.

Here is the list (according to the Environmental Working Group) of the 12 fruits and vegetables that have the most pesticide residue:

Peaches
Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Imported Grapes
Carrots
Pears

You can find the full list of the 47 fruits and vegetables that they tested at

www.foodnews.org.