Which Fruits and Vegetables are Super Toxic and Which Are Safe?

Photo by Evan-Amos Vanamo Media

It is helpful to know which foods are especially laden with toxic chemicals, so that we can be sure to grow these organically in our gardens* or buy them organically grown. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our food supply and home products. Their produce shopper's guide is super handy!

EWG's 2013 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ | Summary

*Fortunately, most vegetable gardens include cherry tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini!

Beets: A Super Healthy Food, But Tasty? Yes!

On a rainy day last spring I dutifully planted beets despite having had little previous success with them. This year was different--I had a bumper crop! They formed big round spheres that, now in September, continue to maintain their sweetness and ideal texture. Perhaps this was due to the variety, Red Cloud Beets (F1 Hybrid; 50 days; Pinetree Seeds), or maybe it was the cooler August temperatures. At any rate, a new problem emerged, how does one eat so many beets?  I came up with this recipe that I find delectable! Now I'm a beetaholic!

Beet, Apple, and Wild Greens Salad

1/3 beet (3" diameter), peeled and grated, grown or bought
1/3 apple, not peeled, grated
1/3 c wild greens: dandelion, lambsquarter, miner's lettuce (Claytonia), etc., chopped OR any green: arugula, kale, etc.
1/2 t ginger, fresh, diced (optional)
2 t  lime juice
2 t  olive oil
8    cashews, raw or toasted, chopped
dash salt

NOTES: Serving Size: 1. Expand by multiplying quantities. Use organic ingredients, if available. Using scissors makes quick work of "chopping" the greens. All quantities can be adjusted to what you have on hand.

I would love to hear if you like this salad in the comments below.