Tag Archives: produce

2019′s Clean 15: Powerful Health Benefits of the Most Pesticide-Free Produce

2019 has its official “Clean 15.” Each year, the Environmental Working Group analyzes data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the amount of pesticides found in conventionally grown produce. “Overall, nearly 70 percent of the conventionally grown produce sold in the U.S. comes with pesticide residues,” according to an Environmental Working Group news release.

The good news is some produce tends to have little to no pesticide residues?making it relatively safe to consume if you can’t find or afford the organic versions.

Here are the 15 fruits and vegetables?dubbed the Clean 15?that the Environmental Working Group found to have the lowest amounts of pesticide residues along with the overall health benefits of each one.

15. Honeydew melon

Credit: daniaphoto/Getty Images

Honeydew melon is rich in vitamin B6, folate and potassium. And a one-cup serving of diced honeydew contains roughly half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C?for only about 60 calories.

According to Healthline, honeydew melon offers several benefits?including lowering blood pressure, improving bone health and supporting healthy skin. It also provides a healthy combination of water and electrolytes to effectively hydrate your body.

14. Mushrooms

Although some varieties can be poisonous in their own right, you probably won’t have to worry about pesticides on mushrooms polluting your body. Instead, you can enjoy their health benefits.

A cup of white mushrooms is only about 15 calories. And for those calories you get a good amount of riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, copper and selenium?as well as fiber and protein. Mushrooms also are rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the body against many diseases.

13. Broccoli

There are many reasons to eat your broccoli besides its low pesticide content. A cup of chopped broccoli has about 30 calories, two grams of fiber and three grams of protein. And it contains some very high levels of vitamins and minerals.

That one-cup serving provides you with about 135 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 116 percent of vitamin K and decent amounts of various B vitamins. It also has about four percent of the recommended calcium intake, four percent of iron, eight percent of potassium and 10 percent of manganese.

12. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe had a slight edge on its melon friend, honeydew, for its Clean 15 spot. But nonetheless, both are healthy choices when it comes to reducing pesticides in your diet.

A cup of diced cantaloupe contains about 50 calories, 106 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin A, 95 percent of vitamin C, several B vitamins and 12 percent of the recommended potassium intake.

According to Healthline, cantaloupe has more beta carotene than many other yellow-orange fruits and veggies. “Once eaten, beta carotene is either converted into vitamin A or acts as a powerful antioxidant to help fight free radicals that attack cells in your body,” Healthline says.

11. Cauliflower

Broccoli often gets more attention, but don’t forget about its cruciferous cousin: cauliflower. A cup of raw cauliflower contains about 25 calories, three grams of fiber and two grams of protein. It also has about 77 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin C, 20 percent of vitamin K, 14 percent of folate, nine percent of potassium and eight percent of manganese.

Healthline reports that cauliflower is also high in choline?which helps to support cell function, promote brain health and prevent health issues, including heart and liver disease.

10. Cabbage

Credit: ilietus/Getty Images

Cabbage is another cruciferous vegetable that offers several health benefits?and not too many pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group.

A cup of raw, chopped cabbage has about 22 calories, two grams of fiber and one gram of protein. It contains roughly 54 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin C, 85 percent of vitamin K, 10 percent of folate and seven percent of manganese, among other nutrients.

Plus, regularly eating cabbage might help to combat inflammation in the body, prevent cardiovascular disease, lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of cancer.

9. Kiwi

Kiwis pack a lot of nutrition into a small package. One medium kiwi has about 46 calories, two grams of fiber and a gram of protein. And it’s a very good source of vitamin C, providing 117 percent of the recommended daily intake.

A medium kiwi has about six percent of your daily vitamin E, 38 percent of vitamin K and seven percent of potassium.

Research has linked kiwis to numerous health benefits. They might be able to treat asthma, help with digestion, manage blood pressure and stop vision loss.

8. Asparagus

Asparagus comes in multiple colors?each packed with healthy nutrients. A cup of raw asparagus?or roughly eight medium spears?is only about 27 calories, yet it has three grams of fiber and three grams of protein.

Among its many vitamins and minerals, the serving has about 20 percent of the recommended vitamin A intake, 70 percent of vitamin K, 13 percent of thiamin, 17 percent of folate, 16 percent of iron, 13 percent of copper and eight percent of potassium.

7. Eggplant

Eggplant isn’t as high in nutrients as other produce, but this member of the Clean 15 still has its benefits. A one-cup serving of boiled eggplant contains about 35 calories, two grams of fiber and a gram of protein. It also has small amounts of vitamin K, thiamin, vitamin B6 and manganese.

Plus, it provides the antioxidant nasunin in its purple skin?which can help to combat free radicals in the body, as well as improve brain health.

6. Papaya

The tropical papaya is loaded with nutrients to keep you healthy. A cup of cubed papaya has about 55 calories, three grams of fiber and one gram of protein. It also gives you 31 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin A, 144 percent of vitamin C, 13 percent of folate and 10 percent of potassium, among other vitamins and minerals.

Papaya’s many powerful antioxidants help to lower your risk of several diseases, including cancer. Plus, papaya might benefit your heart, aid digestion, improve skin and fight inflammation.

5. Onion

Credit: Qwart/Getty Images

A cup of chopped onions?probably more than you’d eat in one sitting?contains 64 calories. And the veggie is a good source of nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate and potassium.

“Onions may have several health benefits, mostly due to their high content of antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds,” Healthline says. “They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and have been linked to reduced risk of cancer, lower blood sugar levels and improved bone health.”

4. Sweet peas

As part of the legume family, peas are increasingly popular as a source of plant-based protein. A half cup of boiled peas contains about 62 calories with four grams of fiber and?four grams of protein. Plus, it has several B vitamins, 34 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin A, 13 percent of vitamin C, 24 percent of vitamin K, seven percent of iron and 11 percent of manganese.

Peas?may help regulate blood sugar levels, aid digestion and protect against some chronic diseases, including cancer.

3. Pineapple

Sweet pineapple tastes like candy, but you can rest assured you’re getting plenty of nutrients?and few (if any) pesticides.

A cup of pineapple chunks has roughly 74 calories, which primarily come from the natural sugars. Plus, it offers several B vitamins, about 46 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin C, five percent of magnesium, six percent of potassium, seven percent of copper and a whopping 131 percent of manganese.

Pineapple also is brimming with antioxidants, has enzymes that can aid digestion and might help to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system, according to Healthline.

2. Sweet corn

It might get stuck in your teeth when you gnaw it off the cob, but at least you won’t have to worry about pesticides in your sweet corn. Less than one percent of the sweet corn samples the Environmental Working Group analyzed showed any signs of pesticide residues.

One medium ear of sweet corn has about 77 calories, two grams of fiber and three grams of protein. Plus, it’s rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese.

1. Avocado

Credit: tashka2000/Getty Images

Here’s one more reason to obsess over avocados. Like sweet corn, less than one percent of avocados had any pesticide residues, according to the Environmental Working Group.

A one-cup serving of cubed avocado contains about 240 calories, largely coming from its healthy fats. It also has 10 grams of fiber and three grams of protein?as well as several B vitamins, 25 percent of the recommended vitamin C intake, 16 percent of vitamin E, 39 percent of vitamin K, 11 percent of magnesium, 21 percent of potassium and 14 percent of copper.

One study even found that people who consume avocados tend to have better overall diets and be generally healthier than those who don’t eat any. So don’t hesitate to incorporate this star of the Clean 15 into your diet.

Main image credit: Mizina/Getty Images

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Continued: 

2019′s Clean 15: Powerful Health Benefits of the Most Pesticide-Free Produce

Posted in alo, bigo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, oven, PUR, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 2019′s Clean 15: Powerful Health Benefits of the Most Pesticide-Free Produce

5 Time-Tested Ways to Make Your Groceries Last Longer

You spend hours?each week planning out your meals, gathering up reusable bags and hauling groceries from the store to the house.?And then they all go bad on you??That’s just not nice.

Produce is fickle stuff?? it starts fresh, then quickly devolves into a mess of green goo, mold and wilted leaves. What can you do? Fortunately, lots of things! Here are a few of the secrets you need to know.

1) Store leafy greens loose and dry.

The bane of all leafy greens ? arugula, spring lettuce, spinach ??is moisture. If left bunched up, unwashed, in the back of the fridge, they?will wilt.

To keep your greens from spoiling too quickly, first remove any ties or rubber bands, then rinse and dry (fully!) before wrapping loosely in a dry tea towel. Hardier varieties, like curly kale for example, will do best when placed in a cup of water like a bouquet.

2) Store?bulbs and tubers in the dark.

Bulb vegetables like onions and shallots, as well as tubers like sweet potatoes and golden potatoes, should be stored in as cellar-like an environment as possible.

Cool, dark, dry, with a bit of air circulation. That’s ideal. Placing them on the counter or?? please no?? in the fridge is a recipe for greening or growing eyes. Yuck!

3) Store?fleshy fruit vegetables in the crisper.

Fruit vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers (basically, all the good stuff) have a tendency to soften and mold due to their high moisture content.

Again, moisture is a serious no-no. Lay down a tea towel in the bottom of your fridge’s vegetable crisper, then wash and dry fully everything that will be placed there. Set up reminders to eat these! They’ll last longer when kept well, but longevity isn’t their strength to begin with.

4) Store?soft fruit in a paper bag on the counter.

Stone fruit?? think apricots, avocados, peaches?? come with the summer and go just as fast. Mold comes quickly, so you have to be vigilant and eat these at their prime.?

First, get them to?just ripe on the counter top (speed up the process by placing them in a paper bag) and then pop these beauties into the fridge when at their peak.

5) Store?melons uncut and out of sight.

Melons may be stored as-is on the counter, but you’ll want to keep them far away from direct sunlight. Cantaloupe and honeydew in particular are prone to sogginess, so follow the rules if you want to keep them fresh for long.

Once ripe, slice and store in a reusable container with a dry towel. This will help sop up any excess moisture and prevent ripe melon slices from becoming soft and unappetizing.

What creative tricks do you have up your sleeve for keeping produce fresh? Let us know!

Related Stories:

The Dos and Don’ts of Washing Your Produce
2018′s Dirtiest Produce Award Goes To…
4 Surprising Reasons to Eat Ugly Fruit

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Source: 

5 Time-Tested Ways to Make Your Groceries Last Longer

Posted in alo, bigo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, PUR, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 5 Time-Tested Ways to Make Your Groceries Last Longer

Exxon Is Trying to Create… Biofuel?

Move over Al Gore. Exxon is trying to get in on the green action.

Exxon believes?they can create a good biofuel from algae. Yeah, oil-drooling, environmentally-polluting Exxon. They’ve partnered with Synthetic Genomics to crack the code on producing a viable biofuel that is cheap to produce, effective as a fuel and can easily be produced in massive quantities.

According to Oliver Fetzer, CEO out Synthetic Genomics, ?The goal here is to get to a sustainable, renewable biofuel that can be cost-competitive with pumping oil out of the ground, but can scale to levels that go far beyond demonstration levels.?

The reason major companies have put such little?effort into biofuels are the issues of cost and scalability. Until now, it was simply not possible to create enough biofuel to meet energy demands at a production cost comparable to oil. And if you’re an oil company, why divert money into less profitable ventures? It’s not like you are driven by a strong environmental conscience. It must be?because you?know that someday there will be no more oil left to drill. And if/when that sad day comes, Exxon will be ready.

That’s where advances in algae farming comes in. With some genetic tweaking, scientists working with Exxon have been able to create an algae that produces twice as much fat as it normally would, but still grows at the same efficient speed. The fat, as you can imagine, is the fodder for creating fuel. Suddenly?algae-based biofuels just became a whole lot more plausible.

Exxon believes that in 7 years, with some reasonable technological advances, they will be able to produce 10,000 barrels of algae biofuel a day. Of course, the US alone produces 10 million barrels a day, but it?s still a big step for the future of biofuels. The only downside is that we really need more sustainable options now, if not 10 years ago. Exxon certainly seems to have dragged their feet into the clean energy game.

This news brings up an important question: will oil companies be the ones responsible for paving a greener future? Of course, it’s all in the interest in maintaining their gold-lined pockets, but does that matter? Progress is progress, right?

The very fact that Exxon is interested in more sustainable fuel options bears promise that a more sustainable future is coming. But are biofuels the answer? Or do you think other renewables, like solar and wind, are more promising for mass energy production?

What are your thoughts? Share with the community below! ? ? ? ?

Related on Care2:

The Secret to Enjoying a Greener Cup of Coffee
7 Ways to Finally Start Loving Yourself
Eating More Plants Will Improve Your Mind

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

View the original here:  

Exxon Is Trying to Create… Biofuel?

Posted in alo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, solar, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Exxon Is Trying to Create… Biofuel?

Trump plans to slash EPA’s budget and boost the military’s.

A New Jersey startup called Bowery grows leafy greens stacked in columns five high under the watchful eyes of an AI system.

The operation, which officially launched last week, uses 95 percent less water than traditional methods and is 100 times more productive on the same footprint of land, according to the company.

Bowery calls itself “post-organic,” a label to describe its integration of tech and farming practices and its pesticide-free produce. That distinguishes it from large-scale organic farms, which do use pesticides — they’re just organic ones.

Bowery

Its AI system automates ideal growing conditions for crops by adjusting the lighting, minerals, and water, using sensors to monitor them. It can alter conditions to tweak the taste — emphasizing a wasabi-like flavor in arugula, for instance.

More than 80 crops are grown at the farm, including baby kale, butterhead lettuce, and mixed greens. The produce is delivered to New York stores within the day after harvest, and the greens go for $3.49 a box — on par with the competition.

Source: 

Trump plans to slash EPA’s budget and boost the military’s.

Posted in alo, Anchor, Citizen, Everyone, FF, G & F, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, oven, OXO, PUR, Ringer, Safer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Trump plans to slash EPA’s budget and boost the military’s.

DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber

Few things delight me more than a good upcycle. Why? Upcycled crafts not only feed my creative soul, but they also help us care for the planet by preventing waste. This simple kitchen upcyle is a two-for-one way to be green. You’ll save a produce net from a landfill and also reduce your consumption of abrasive dish scrubber pads in the kitchen!

It’s always nice when doing something you love also benefits our environment. Ready to craft?

Upcycled Produce Net Dish Scrubber

Supplies needed:

2 produce nets (think sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, etc.)
String or twine
Scissors

Directions:
1. Begin by laying the produce nets as flat as possible, one on top of the other.

2. Roll them up nice and tight, like you are rolling up a tortilla. (Now I’m hungry. Is it Taco Tuesday yet?)

3. Fold the roll over in half, bending it directly in the center.

4. Tie the twine or string at the center of the rolled and folded produce bags. Tie a knot tightly. Double knot.

5. Take your scissors and snip apart the ends of the produce bags. This will fan the bags open and create the “fluff” you want.

6. Continue to trim to even out the dish scrubber and get rid of any loose ends. Shape the scrubber with your scissors and pull apart the layers to fill it all out.

7. Tie an additional piece of string around the scrubber to create a hang tag. This way it can easily hang on your faucet to dry when not in use.

Now smile because you just did the earth a service and brightened up your kitchen in one go! While you’re at it, check out these other eco-friendly tools for washing dishes.

More Kitchen Stories:
10 Kitchen Hacks to Make Your Life Easier
How to Cook Up a Zero-Waste Kitchen
The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Greener Kitchen

About
Latest Posts

Jennifer Gervens

As an Alabama native and resident, Jennifer Gervens enjoys sharing Southern food and culture with her Jersey-born husband as well as her readers.

Sweet T Makes Three

is all about homemaking and hospitality in the Heart of Dixie.

Latest posts by Jennifer Gervens (see all)

DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber – November 14, 2016

Connect with us:

Recent Posts

DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber
The 9 Biggest Recycling Mistakes People Make
Smartphone Recall: Will Samsung Consider the Earth?
When Recycling Gets You Arrested Instead of Rewarded

Read

Connect With Us

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Pinterest
Google Plus

Advertise With Us

Copyright ©. 2016 Earth911. All Rights Reserved.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive updates on contests, new products, and more.

earth911

Credit:

DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber

Posted in A Greener Kitchen, eco-friendly, FF, GE, LG, ONA, PUR, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber

Do You Eat Ugly Produce? (Video)

Imperfect Produce is a San Francisco area start-up that is trying to reduce food waste and environmental impact by selling “ugly” produce thatfarmers ordinarily would notsell. This “unsellable” produce makes up about 20 percent of all produce grown in the United States. Watch this video to learn more about these less-than-ideal looking fruits and vegetables and why its important that we change our tune about produce that might not be pretty.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Visit site: 

Do You Eat Ugly Produce? (Video)

Posted in alo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, Radius, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Do You Eat Ugly Produce? (Video)

Is It Better to Buy Local or Organic?

More: 

Is It Better to Buy Local or Organic?

Posted in FF, GE, LG, ONA, organic, Safer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Is It Better to Buy Local or Organic?

Recycle Denim Through Jan. 31 and Help Insulate Homes

Now through Jan. 31, if you drop off your old denim at a Fresh Produce store, you’ll receive a discount and the old denim will be turned into insulation. Photo: Shutterstock

Recycling your old blue jeans obviously benefits the environment, but now through the end of January, if you recycle your jeans at a Fresh Produce retail store, it will also benefit you and communities in need.

Fresh Produce, a national apparel brand for women, is teaming up with Cotton Incorporated, the marketing and research company for cotton, and Blue Jeans Go Green, a denim recycling initiative, to make this happen. When you return your old denim — any style, any brand — to one of Fresh Produce’s 24 stores this month, you’ll receive 15 percent off Fresh Produce’s new denim line, KUT. Then Blue Jeans Go Green will turn the old denim into housing insulation, which will be donated to communities that need it.

“We love the bright colors Fresh Produce apparel is known for and we know that their customers will love this unique program that gives new life to unwanted denim,” Andrea Samber, co-director of strategic alliances for Cotton Incorporated, said in a press release. “By donating jeans and other denim items to Blue Jeans Go Green, Fresh Produce customers are not only helping to divert textiles from landfills, they are helping provide housing insulation to communities in need and getting a discount on new denim purchases at Fresh Produce.”

While this partnership between Fresh Produce and Blue Jeans Go Green is new, the denim recycling program has already made quite an impact. To date, more than 600 tons of denim has been diverted from landfills by Blue Jeans Go Green, and the organization has insulated more than 1,000 homes across the country with their UltraTouch Denim Insulation. Blue Jeans Go Green has also partnered with many organizations, including universities and Habitat for Humanity chapters, to help accomplish its goals.

The denim Blue Jeans Go Green collects is turned into UltraTouch Denim Insulation, made by Bonded Logic Inc. Photo: Bonded Logic

Blue Jeans Go Green has received more than a million pieces of denim thus far, and you can add to this number by dropping your old jeans off at a Fresh Produce location through Jan. 31. If you’re interested in recycling old denim but don’t live near a Fresh Produce store (find locations here), you can also mail your old jeans to Blue Jeans Go Green directly.

earth911

Visit link: 

Recycle Denim Through Jan. 31 and Help Insulate Homes

Posted in alo, eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, ONA, Panasonic, PUR, Safer, solar, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Recycle Denim Through Jan. 31 and Help Insulate Homes