Organic September is a month-long campaign dedicated to promoting organic products and raising awareness about the benefits of organic farming and living.  Organic foods, grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), offer numerous benefits to your body and the planet. By choosing organic, you are supporting sustainable farming practices and enjoying more nutrient-dense produce that’s free from harmful chemicals.

But what if you’re unable to buy organic all the time? Don’t worry—there are ways to reduce your exposure to pesticides and still reap the benefits of healthy, colorful fruits and vegetables.

The Benefits of Eating Organic

1. Fewer Chemicals: Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides and herbicides, reducing your intake of potentially harmful chemicals. This can lower your risk of certain health issues, including hormone disruption and allergic reactions.
2. Nutrient-Rich: Studies show that organic fruits and vegetables often contain higher levels of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients play a key role in supporting your immune system, boosting energy, and fighting off diseases.
3. Better for the Environment: Organic farming practices are better for the soil, water, and biodiversity. Organic farmers use natural techniques to manage pests and nourish the soil, which helps reduce pollution and promotes wildlife habitats.
4. Supports Animal Welfare: Organic farming also extends to meat and dairy products. Animals raised organically are not given growth hormones or antibiotics, and they live in healthier, more humane conditions.

How to Reduce Pesticides on Non-Organic Produce

If buying organic isn’t always feasible, you can still reduce the amount of pesticide residue on your fruits and vegetables by properly washing and soaking them. Here’s how:

1. Rinse First: Start by thoroughly rinsing your produce under cold water to remove dirt and some surface pesticides.
2. Soak in a Solution: Use either baking soda or white vinegar to further clean your produce:
   • Baking Soda Method: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda into 2 cups of water. Soak your fruits and vegetables for about 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
   • White Vinegar Method: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 4 cups of water. Soak your produce for 10-15 minutes, then rinse well to remove any lingering vinegar taste.

Both methods help remove pesticide residue and give you cleaner, safer produce to enjoy.

Is it really much more expensive to buy organically?

When I first looked at buying organic fruit and vegetables using the weekly delivery service by Riverford I thought it seemed expensive at first glance.  But having used them to supply my family over the last year or so I actually save a lot of money as we don’t make unplanned trips to the shops which inevitably result in us putting numerous (often unhealthy) items in my basket that I did not really want to buy!

Commit to Action

This Organic Awareness Month, let’s all commit to nourishing our bodies and the planet too by choosing organic foods whenever possible. But even if you can’t go fully organic, simply taking steps to reduce pesticide exposure and eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables can help you and your family lead healthier and hopefully happier lives too!

Lisa

Eat the Rainbow Every Day

To maximize nutrition, aim to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day—what nutritionists call “eating the rainbow.” Each color group provides different nutrients and some examples include:

• Red: Tomatoes, red peppers, strawberries, raspberries, watermelon (rich in lycopene and anthocyanins).
• Orange: Carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes, butternut squash (high in beta-carotene and vitamin C).
• Yellow: Bananas, honeydew melon, yellow peppers, yellow squash(high in potassium and vitamin C).
• Green: Spinach, kale, broccoli, peas, sprouts, cabbage, apples, pears (loaded with fiber, folate, and chlorophyll).
• Blue/Purple: Blueberries, blackberries, aubergine, purple cabbage (full of antioxidants and flavonoids).
• White/Brown: Onions, garlic, cauliflower (contain beneficial compounds like allicin and potassium).

By incorporating a rainbow of colors into your daily meals, you’ll ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients to support your overall health and vitality.  Eating more vegetables than fruit is also beneficial to your body as all fruit is processed as sugar so modesty is definitely recommended!