pesticides

[delerium]

when you buy fresh produce at the grocery store how infected are these products with pesticides. I know the safest thing to do would be grow all your own food but until then im eating store bought produce. and if the pesticides were used is it only on the outside so you can wash it off or is it IN the food

[Revvell]

It's not only pesticides it's fertilizer and possibly genetically modified so, unless getting organic or purchasing from a farmer who grows his own, one really can't be sure.

The use of DDT was banned in this country so now it is shipped to other countries where lots of food comes from ~ Mexico and such....and from what I uderstand, it's used liberally there. Also, any food coming in from another country, unless pre-packaged is sprayed before entering this country.

Revvell

[askcassyfirst]

It is nigh on impossible to get away from the pesticides and chemicals, even if you eat organically. Pesticides, such as DDT and others are oily substances and are notoriously "sticky". It takes a LONG time for them to disipate from the environment. Yes, many other countries use DDT and similar chemicals...And, even health food stores and coops are not perfect in thier handling of food. They are required to clean thier bins, and most use chlorinated water...I worked at one place that would have the pest control people come in and spray in the mornings, and then not cover certain produce that was sitting out. INdeed, it is best to clean everything you purchase in the shops.

Being a nutritionist, and working for a company that promotes cleansing and detoxification has brought me to the following place, in terms of my opinion on organics...I buy and eat organic whenever possible, and regardless, I use a veggie wash and soak and scrub all produce. This helps decrease my "intentional" exposure. HOwever, I also take daily supplements to support my bodies detoxification pathways, especially the liver. I also cleanse frequently, and do my best to minimize other types of exposure. (by filtering the water in my house, etc.)

I think it is is impossible to live in a bubble happily... :D :D I spent several years living simply on a small island in the third world, and realized that no matter how hard we try, we LIVE and BREATHE toxins everyday, despite what we may attempt to feed ourselves. Car exhaust, chlorine, etc. THat is why RAW is such a benefit. The live enzymes in the food take the pressure off our organs of detoxification. They feed us the nutrients (so long as our digestion is functioning) that are needed to detoxify the "junk" we are exposed to just living on this planet.

I guess I feel that the easiest way for me to deal with the thought of our denatured food supply, is to try and eat food that is as close to it's natural form as possible. Cleaned, and high raw. WOrks for me. :) :) :)

Cassy:)

[RawTruth]

Delerium,

The best thing to do is buy organic as much as possible. Then, as Cassy mentioned, use a wash to clean the outside. Also, peel as much as possible. Don't get discouraged by what's been mentioned about how pesticides are still rampant in the soils, etc. I know people who have given up entirely because they felt that, no matter what they did, they were doomed. This isn't the case. You can still do the very best you can ... and, thus, reduce your exposure considerably. Of course, if you have even a little apartment balcony in the sun, it'd be great to plan on growing something of your own.

Just the fact that you'll be eating all and only fruits and veggies (you're raw, right? Or are you just considering it?), you're really ahead of the game. Even if there is some residue on your produce, you WON'T be getting hormones and antibiotics that meat and eggs are loaded with, so that's great!