Your mother probably told you to eat your fruits and vegetables. She was right. Well, it's not that easy anymore. Much of our produce is now sprayed with chemicals. In order to avoid this dilemma, I try to buy organic. However, it's not only impossible sometimes, but it can also be out of your budget.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out two lists they call the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. Items on the list vary from year to year based on farming practices. The Dirty Dozen is a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residue. The Clean Fifteen are the 15 fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticide residue.
I will spend the extra money to buy organic produce for items listed on the Dirty Dozen and I'll buy conventional for the items on the Clean Fifteen list. Sometimes I will buy conventional of items on the Dirty Dozen list, but only produce that I can soak in white vinegar. I have also made a safe non-toxic spray from lemon essential oils and purified water.
Here are the lists for this year.
The Dirty Dozen (source )
7. Sweet bell peppers
10. Cherry tomatoes
The Clean Fifteen (source )
2. Sweet corn
5. Sweet peas
12. Sweet potatoes