Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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in Women's Health

Summer Produce and Organic Priorities

Summer is finally here! With summer comes the plethora of farmer’s markets, fresh produce, and some of our favorite fruits! What you may not be thinking of is what goes into that favorite slice of watermelon, or that juicy spring peach.

Traditional methods of farming use fertilizers, pesticides, and anti-mold sprays that are extremely toxic to the human system. We tend to forget that at the market when our eyes are feasting on a rainbow of colors and textures, but it’s important to always buy organic when you are able. Why? Because organic farmers use natural fertilizers and natural methods of farming to cultivate their produce.

Here are the basics of organic: the micronutrient content is higher, not as much damage is occurring due to synthesized chemicals. Organic regulations also ban the use of preservatives, artificial coloring, flavoring, MSG, and chemical additives. And, most importantly – the environment. We are living in a time where it is crucial to pay special care to our environment, and the pollution output is far less with organic.

When you shop for organic, look for the USDA seal of approval. Products must be at least 95% organic in order to be certified, that tiny seal ensures that it has been grown the way it was supposed to be. A lot of products pride themselves in being ‘all natural’, but that doesn’t mean they are grown naturally or without chemicals. The only way to know if something is truly organic is if the USDA states that it is organic.

Understandably, organic can be a little hard on the wallet, especially if you are shopping for an entire family, not just yourself. Growing little ones tend to eat more than we can possibly imagine, let alone keep up with! The EWG (The Environmental Working Group) has released an updated 2019 produce guide to tell you what is the most necessary to buy organic, and what produce contains less pesticides. These lists will save you time (and money! Yay!):

The EWG dirty dozen (+hot peppers):

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Peaches
  8. Cherries
  9. Pears
  10. Tomatoes
  11. Celery
  12. Potatoes
  13. +Hot Peppers

The EWG clean fifteen:

  1. Avocado
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Frozen sweet peas
  5. Onions
  6. Papayas
  7. Eggplant
  8. Asparagus
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Cauliflower
  12. Cantulope
  13. Broccoli
  14. Mushrooms
  15. Honeydew

Those lists should save you time and money the next time you head to a farmer’s market. Remember – there is no harm in asking how the fruit or veggies you intend to purchase were grown. You have the right, as a consumer, to this information and if it’s not organic? Well, if enough people ask, maybe they’ll consider changing their practice to a healthier one. Healthier for you, healthier for the environment.

For a cost effective and delivery option check out Imperfect Produce to see if they deliver in a city near you! They take what is considered to be ‘ugly’ produce, that would normally get thrown away, or produce that is overstocked,  and bring it straight to your door. I personally don’t mind if the head of cabbage is the same size as mine, or if my apple is smaller than his buddies at the store. The prices are far lower than the grocery store, and you can choose your own selection every week, which makes it a lot easier to rotate fresh goods through your fridge.

Good luck and may you be as organic as you can!

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Do you take supplements? How did you decide which Do you take supplements?  How did you decide which ones were right for you?  One of my favorites that can benefit many is black elderberry. Have you heard of it? 
 
This powerful herb helps: 
Reduce inflammation
Enhance immune system
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The second bullet point highlights why elderberry is SO important to take in winter months. Our immune systems are getting back up to speed this season after two years! Elderberry is well researched and shown to be an effective supplement for fighting bacteria and viruses. 

Share this post with a friend who may benefit from black elderberry.
If you are what you eat, what are you? I actually If you are what you eat, what are you?

I actually used to obsess over what I ate. That wasn’t a long term solution for good nutrition, so I’ve learned how to eat what makes me feel good and is health promoting. 

Learn more about how you can take control of your health with nutrition, click the link in bio.
The winter blues hit everyone differently. You mig The winter blues hit everyone differently. You might find yourself looking to food or sleep for comfort while the weather changes your sleep and mood.

While you can’t change the weather, here’s some proactive steps you can take to battle the blues: ❄️

🥕 Eat Your Veggies. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need to eat heavy, high fat processed foods. Explore recipes like hearty vegetable soups, roasted vegetables, and omega 3 rich foods. 

🏂 Go Outside. Exercise inside is fantastic, but don’t let that keep you from a brisk walk outside. 

🤗 Keep Social. Social interaction is important for your mood. Make sure to keep your social engagements even if you don’t feel like leaving your house. You will be glad you did.
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