queen of connection | Shelby L. Phillips

Pesticides Linked to Neurological Issues in Kids?

May 10, 2013 at 5:36 pm Leave a comment

Below is an exert from my friends Ron & Lisa – The Healthy Home Dream Team and their fabulous article about reducing pesticide intake.

“Contrary to popular belief, an apple a day may not necessarily keep the doctor away today.  Topping The Dirty Dozen™ list this year were apples!  In 99 percent of cases tested, apples contained at least one pesticide residue while the next two top offenders— strawberries and grapes—revealed nearly every sample containing pesticides with one grape alone showing traces of 15 pesticides!  For information on genetically modified plants (GMOs), be sure to read the EWG executive summary.  P.S. You’ll looove this convenient app for your smart phone HERE as well.

Finally, hold on summer squashes and leafy greens!  EWG expanded the Dirty Dozen™ with a Plus category this year to highlight two crops – domestically-grown summer squash and leafy greens; specifically kale and collards. Although these crops didn’t meet the Dirty Dozen™ criteria, they were found to be contaminated with pesticides that are toxic to the nervous system, including organophosphate pesticides (potent neurotoxins that can affect children’s IQ and brain development; even at low doses) and organochlorine pesticides (ie: dieldrin, DDT and heptachlor; neurotoxins which studies link to cancer, neurological damage, Parkinson’s disease, and more). Watch below as Dr. Sanjay Gupta tours a grocery store to show us which foods have the highest levels of pesticide residue and how to reduce 80% of your food pesticide exposure:”

CNN.com – Choosing Fruits & Vegetables at the Grocery Store

Since eating 100% organic food isn’t necessarily cost effective for many of us, and growing our own food may not be feasible either, the amazing team at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) created a list called the Annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ which includes The Clean Fifteen™ + The Dirty Dozen™  lists (click HERE for the entire guide).

The good people at at Body Unburdened created a great visual of these two lists that you can print and carry with you or put on the frig as an important reminder. (See above.)

Here is also an excellent DIY recipe to clean conventionally grown produce, the chemical-free way! Check out this fast and affordable tip HERE using just vinegar + water. Now this idea is not for those grab and go moments, as it requires about 10 minutes of soaking time, but it’s awesome when planning ahead.

Let’s keep our families healthy longer with these simple changes. We’re worth it!

Entry filed under: Parenting. Tags: Clean 15, Health, organic food, pesticides, The Dirty Dozen, vegetable wash.