Short on Cash

I finally found a good list to help me determine (or my husband when I send him to the market) which foods MUST be purchased organic and what can be conventional when you're short on cash. Here are the Dirty Dozen that should be bought as organic: apples, cherries, grapes, chilies(imported), nectarines, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, potatoes and spinach! You should consider purchasing milk, beef, eggs and poultry as organic, if possible. So what is left to buy conventional? Bananas, mangoes, papaya, kiwi, peas, onions, corn, cauliflower, avocado, pineapples, asparagus and broccoli. While organic fruits and veggies cost almost 50% more, the reduced exposure risks to toxins is well worth the cost. ItsGood2Know!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

When I wrote my Summer Survival Tips article I had just bought gigantic bubble tubes for the kids. We still enjoy bubbles even at 9 and 6. I mean, who doesn't. Then, last week we went to the New San Diego Children's Museum for the first time. On their upstairs balcony they had a large bubble space complete with homemade wands made of pipecleaners! What a nifty idea! Huge bubbles (I'll add a photo soon)! Here is a link to my piece on bubbles that includes other ideas on how to use no cost materials from home to produce great COLORFUL bubbles. Here is a recipe to make your own bubble mix: 2/3 cup Joy dishwashing soap, 1 gallon water and 2 to 3 tablespoons of glycerin which is sold at the pharmacy -- I tend to think a solution made fresh makes better bubbles. Hint: I watched the 'bubble guy" at the musuem. He was so relaxed and I honestly think that's why his bubbles were so incredible. So, be ONE with the BUBBLES! ItsGood2Know!

Is it or Isn't it Organic?

Fish protein in apples to increase shelf-life? Yuck!

I wrote about this last year, but thought it was important to share again! Once I read about fish in my apples, I knew I needed to be better educated on produce identification. Here it is simplified:

Look at the Product Look Up Code (PLU) on the produce sticker.

4 digit numbers are NOT organic.

A 9 in front of the numbers means it IS organic.

A 8 in front of the numbers means genetically modified. Be careful what you eat!

If you cannot make the switch to organic for everything, at least be aware of which foods have the largest amount of pesticides. For example, peaches, strawberries, bell peppers and celery. Then you can make better decisions about what you eat. Now that is Good2Know!