You may have seen this before: the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen.

If you have not seen it, here’s the idea: if you don’t relish the idea of having to perhaps go out of your way to buy organic (and for some of us who aren’t blessed with a farmer’s market and a Wholefoods at every corner, you really have to go out of your way!) the “clean fifteen” are your safest bets if you must buy conventional produce. They are the least permeated- for whatever reason- by pesticides (though I contest the sweet corn on this list after watching King Corn!).

The “dirty dozen” are simply no good to eat unless they are organic.

Who knows how much longer this little cheat sheet will hold as valid (a long time I hope!), but print and tuck in in your wallet for your next trip to the store!  Since organic food tastes better, has higher nutritional value, is better for the Earth and for the economy overall, it is best to just go organic 100%… but in a pinch, the “dirty dozen” and the “clean fifteen” will save you lots of guess work (& toxic chemicals in your body!)  Happy eating! xoxo Dana