Snow White and Rose Red: May 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Dirty Dozen

The Environmental Working Group creates a list each year of the top 12 produce items you should buy organic due to the high pesticide count in the non-organic varieties. Also, check out their rating on sunscreens http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/. I thought I was doing good because I was buying & using mineral sunscreen on the girls, but the brand I have is on their "caution" list. :(

1. CeleryCelery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off the 64 chemicals that are used on crops.
Alternatives: organic celery, broccoli, radishes, and onions.
2. Peaches 62 pesticides are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards.
Alternatives: organic peaches, watermelon, tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit.
3. StrawberriesIf you buy strawberries, especially out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that have less-stringent regulations for pesticide use.59 pesticides have been detected in residue on strawberries.
Alternatives: organic strawberries, kiwi, and pineapples.
4. ApplesLike peaches, apples are typically grown with poisons to kill a variety of pests, from fungi to insects. Tests have found 42 different pesticides as residue on apples. Scrubbing and peeling doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely, so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many of their beneficial nutrients.
Alternatives: organic apples, bananas, and tangerines.
5. BlueberriesNew on the Dirty Dozen list in 2010, blueberries are treated with as many as 52 pesticides, making them one of the dirtiest berries on the market.
6. NectarinesWith 33 different types of pesticides found on nectarines, they rank up there with apples and peaches among the dirtiest tree fruit.
Alternatives: organic nectarines, watermelon, papaya, and mango.
7. Bell peppersPeppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're often heavily sprayed with insecticides. Tests have found 49 different pesticides on sweet bell peppers.
Alternatives: organic bell peppers, green peas, broccoli, and cabbage.
8. SpinachNew on the list in 2010, spinach can be laced with as many as 48 different pesticides, making it one of the most contaminated green leafy vegetable.
9. KaleKale is known as a hardier vegetable that rarely suffers from pests and disease, but it was found to have high amounts of pesticide residue when tested this year.
Alternatives: organic kale, cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.
10. CherriesEven locally grown cherries are not necessarily safe. In fact, in one survey in recent years, cherries grown in the U.S. were found to have three times more pesticide residue then imported cherries. Government testing has found 42 different pesticides on cherries.
11. PotatoesAmerica's popular spud reappears on the 2010 Dirty Dozen list, after a year hiatus. America's favorite vegetable can be laced with as many as37 different pesticides.
Alternatives: organic potatoes and sweet potatoes, eggplant, cabbage, and earthy mushrooms.
12. GrapesImported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Only imported grapes make the 2010 Dirty Dozen list. Vineyards can be sprayed with different pesticides during different growth periods of the grape, and no amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape's thin skin. Remember, wine is made from grapes, which testing shows can harbor as many as 34 different pesticides.

Past Dirty Dozen ContendersTry to purchase organic leafy greens, carrots, pears, and tomatoes.

Agh! The EWG site is addictive! I can search through all sorts of cosmetics & baby products to see what safety ratings they get...

I am thankful for

Here is just a quick list of some of the things I am currently thankful for:
* Mesh self-feeder. It keeps Etta occupied for a few minutes at meals so I can eat some food myself. Otherwise I spend the majority of the meal either spooning food into her mouth, cleaning her & the toys she dropped, and keeping her occupied & happy.
* 3 day weekend - need I say more?!
* A break in the rain so Matt could take the girls to the park for 2 hours today.
* Two girls who are not only cute but sweet, not only sweet but healthy, not only healthy but smart.
* Renters who are courteous & (mostly) quite. It looks like they will be moving out this summer. We have been blessed with great renters over the years we have owned the house, and I really hope that trend will continue.
* A grocery store a 2 minute walk away with organic produce, a great bulk selection & friendly employees. Really I am thankful for the neighborhood in general with so many things within walking distance (even if there are not great sidewalks).
* A friend (you know who you are!) who agreed day-of to babysit the girls so Matt & I could go out to a movie. Not only did she babysit, she washed our dirty dishes. Thank you again!

Once I started listing things, more things keep popping into my head. I will stop now because the list really could go on quite a while if I got on a roll.

I hope you (all 5-10 of you that actually read this!) can think of numerous things to be thankful for too!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Mothers Day Vacation - part 2: Boise

We flew from the Portland Airport to Boise Wed morning. Addie was very excited about the plane ride. We had been talking about it for weeks & finally it was a reality! The flight is only one hour - the perfect amount of time to have the experience without all the restless energy. Across from us on the flight was a mom with her 2 1/2 year old girl & 5 month old boy - the babies made eyes at each other most of the way & us moms had coinciding nursing time.

The Boise weather was delightful & warm. Some highlights of the trip include:

We rented a Suburban so us 4 adults & 3 kids could all fit in the same car. Mommies in the front, daddies in the way back, kiddos in the middle. Addie liked being sandwiched in by the babies. She would report to us on which one was asleep or which was happy.

Going to parks to play. Our favorite was Settlers Park in Meridian- it quite possibly had the most play equipment I have ever seen together in one place - including about 8 slides.

Going to the Aquatic Center (Ellie's first time in a big pool). Addie was a brave girl - she went down the twisty water slide not once but twice all by herself (into her daddy's waiting arms)

Going to the Saturday Market in downtown Boise (lots of dogs & babies! Fresh donuts! a water fountain to dip the toes in!)

And of course lots of tasty meals and laid-back play time at Mike & Becka's home.

A big thank you to Mike & Becka for being such gracious hosts and to Ellie for sharing her toys.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Mothers Day Vacation - part 1: Vancouver

After Christmas we started planning a trip to Boise to spend time with Matt's brother Mike, Mike's wife Becka & their daughter Elliana. We ended up planning our visit for right after Mothers Day, which made it possible to have some extended time with my family instead of just a short weekend.

We drove down to Vancouver the day before Mothers Day and were there through Wednesday morning. Some highlights of our family time include:

Addie riding on Papa's bus

Addie riding on the tractor (riding lawn mower) with Papa

Etta hanging out in the swing

Addie, cousin Aubree & cousin Asa (happy first birthday big-boy!) playing outside & riding around in the grass.

We also took the kiddos to the Portland Childrens Museum. We had to pull them away at the end because they were getting sleepy for nap, but they sure had fun! Attempting to get a picture of them all looking at the camera at the same time was impossible - there was too much to see & do!

Etta really enjoyed snuggling up against aunt AJ. Her aunt Allison had a necklace & long hair to pull, plus she smelled good.

Addie's favorite was the water play area. She did not mind that she got soaking wet - she just wanted to be a little aquatic engineer! (too bad we were having problems with the camera & did not get any pictures)