Pesticides and Our Foods- Top 10 Offenders

Just a few short years ago, if you wanted to buy organic food, you had to make a special trip to an out-of-the-way grocery store. Today, organic products are, well, cropping up all over the place. Are they really worth the higher price or is it just another marketing maneuver?

What Is Organic?

First, let’s take a look at what exactly it means to be organic.

“Organic foods are grown without the use of chemical fertilizer or pesticides and have not been processed using irradiation or added hormones,” says Ashley Mullins, R.D., L.D., CNSC, a registered dietitian at Baylor All Saints Medical Center. “As with any product, it’s important to check the label to determine exactly what you’re getting.”

Products labeled “100 percent organic” must contain only organic ingredients with the exception of water and salt, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Products that are made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients are allowed to be labeled “made with organic ingredients.”

The Bottom Line

While organic food can cost up to two or three times that of regular foods, it may not be any better for you, Mullins says.

“From a nutrition standpoint, there isn’t enough research to show that organic foods are more nutritious than regular foods. The levels of pesticides currently used haven’t been found to be harmful,” she says. “Of course, there may be other benefits to buying organic, such as it being more environmentally friendly and, in some cases, fresher.”

It really comes down to personal preference and budget, adds Mullins. Whatever you do, don’t let your choice inhibit your ability to get the nutrients you need. “The most important thing to consider is the health benefit of consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables every day—whether or not they’re organic,” says Mullins. “That’s the biggest payoff.”

When It May Be Worth It

Want to buy organic, but don’t have it in your budget to do it across the board? Consider at least opting for organic when buying these fruits and vegetables, as they’re considered the top 10 worst offenders for pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group:

Apples

Celery

Cherries

Grapes (imported)

Lettuce

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Strawberries

Sweet bell peppers

To find out more about organic labeling click here.

 Post courtesy of greenerhealth.blogspot.com

70th Senior PGA Championship-Canterbury Golf Club

The first round co-leaders  at the70th Senior PGA Championship-Canterbury Golf Club Scott Hoch and Tom Purtzer share the clubhouse lead at -4. Bernhard Langer is at -2 while John Morse and Mark James round out the leaderboard at -1 . For full  leadereboard details click here.

HP Byron Nelson Championship 2009 Round 1 Highlights

Some familiar names  and not so familiar names are at the top of the leader board for today’s first round of theHP Byron Nelson Championship. Ken Duke and James Nitties lead at -5, Brad Adamonis, Scott McCarron and Charles Howell III all sit at 4 under par.  Click here for the latest video highlights from round one of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Lady Golfers for Rent in Vegas?

New company in Las Vegas provides female golfers for rent to play with your group, add to a corporate outing or even a bachelor party. Play Golf Designs has started this trend and hopes to capitalize on the allure of beautiful, women who can play golf.

“To combat this mass of masculinity on the nation’s golf courses, a growing Las Vegas–based company called Play Golf Designs has started a fairway-beautification project. Founded by Nisha Sadekar, a former LPGA prospect, Play Golf Designs offers a simple service. For a substantial fee, one of the company’s roster of beautiful female professional golfers will play a round or two with you and your co-workers at a corporate outing, with your clients who need to be schmoozed or just with you and your buddies during a bachelor party.”

Read the rest of the Time Magazine article here.