Pesticides, Cancer, ADD/ADHD... Oh My!

Exposure to environmental contaminants like fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, & growth hormones are of special concern when it comes to children.  An investigation in 2010 found that children with higher-than-average pesticide levels in their bodies are TWICE as likely to have symptoms of ADD/ADHD.  

Exposure to pesticides, toxins, antibiotics & growth hormones in the food chain highly increases individuals' risk of cancer also.  (Not to mention adding that to refined, processed, & artificial foods/colors/flavors explodes the risk of cancer & ADD/ADHD both!)

These chemicals have been found in maternal blood, placental tissue, and breast milk samples from both pregnant women and new moms.  Recent studies of new born babies were found to have over 200 pesticides/chemicals/toxins in their little systems!  That is horrible!

Each year 12 MILLION POUNDS of pesticides are used in food!  Whenever possible, shop for organic or local / pesticide free meat, dairy, eggs, & produce.  See the "toxins" page for more information on the "Dirty Dozen" & the "Clean Fifteen". The TOP worst foods that have been noted lately in reports, documentaries, & television health shows are:
APPLES
CELERY
POTATOES
MILK (Please see the posts on raw organic vs. pasteurized milk)

Honestly, the '15' are NOT clean.  At all.  They're still grown in nutrient depleted soil with chemicals & pesticides being used.  But the levels are at least lower than that of the "Dirty Dozen."  If you're not able to (or choose not to) buy organic, then PLEASE at least wash your produce thoroughly before cooking or eating it!  

Consider using a non toxic natural soap/cleanser or mixture of water/antibacterial essential oils, & glycerin.  Rub into produce & rinse well.  My favorite essential oil blend for doing this is "Thieves" Oil.  There are several recipes out there for making your own, but an easy solution for cleaning produce is equal parts each of Clove, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Lemon, & Eucalyptus (maybe 5 drops each...) mixed in a small travel sized spray bottle of water with a teaspoon or so of glycerin. 

USDA Organic (generally, if all the rules are followed correctly) means the food was grown  processed without toxic & persistent pesticides & synthetic fertilizers.  Certified organic production also prohibits ionizing radiation, sewage sludge, antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones, & genetically modified organisms (GMO)...  

And don't even get me started on the dangers of GMO.  I believe it should be called Genetically MUTATED Organisms.  They explode the brains & lacerate the guts of insects, yet they're FDA approved for human consumption.  And more than 80% of food from the super market is now GMO.  That's all I'll say *for now* on that subject.