The other day I wrote a post about pesticides and using sea salt and water to wash fruits and vegetables before we consume them to remove those dangerous pesticides.
Well, a close, personal friend, Will, was bold enough to call a foul. He is very passionate about the topic and went so far as to call the post “lame”… (ouch!).
I’ll first say that the post was written in response to a few readers’ prior comments that they didn’t feel the added expense of organics was in their budget and had limited access to affordable and available organics because of where they lived geographically. While I wasn’t attempting to mislead anyone or act irresponsibly, and this sea salt and water wash can remove the pesticides from the surface of produce, this is (admittedly) only part of the story.
The reality is that you absolutely cannot prevent consuming pesticides unless you are willing to invest in organics… period.
The fact of the matter is also that pesticides aren’t sprayed on the produce just prior to harvesting; they are applied constantly, being spraying and absorbed all throughout the growing process. No amount of soaking and scrubbing can eliminate that. This “solution” isn’t the solution!
And while we continue to buy conventionally-grown produce, we are actually (financially) supporting this farming practice, therefore lessening the demand for organics, slowing widespread distribution AND keeping their cost high. All the while these pesticides are harmful to us as consumers, extremely dangerous to farm workers and contaminate our ground and surface water, as well as wildlife and the environment… a cycle that goes on and on unless practices change… dramatically. Pesticides (and herbicides) are simply bad news all around.
So, I’ve said all along that this “greening my life” would be a journey, mistakes included. But now you know the FULL story… supporting organic farming is the only true option for an abundance of reasons.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program… hopefully with any further lame posts excluded! 
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Doreen, Thank you for taking the time to re examine this issue after my prodding, I think this post is much more realistic. Believe me, I truly wish it were as easy as a salt water bath!
william bezek´s last blog ..Frolicking with the Dead
will – … and thanks being willing to call a foul. I always encourage honest opinions, even if they are critical!
Even though all you said is true and we garden and buy organically, my (adult) kids are so in straits with this economy, it is almost impossible for them to buy more than maybe one organic item. It’s a catch-22. But thanks for putting this out there.
Robin M´s last blog ..Filet Friday
I think both posts were relevant as it’s not always an option either financially or geographically to get the produce you want organically. In a perfect world – yes! And I am someone who makes the extra effort and still has trouble with it. For instance, I can’t get some of the fruit that my kids will eat regularly in organic at the stores near me. It pains me to buy non-organic blueberries, but if it’s my only option, what do I do? Don’t be hard on yourself Doreen! it is a process. And unless we all have unlimited income, we can’t all make every healthy change at once (hence my flame-retardant laden mattresses). I do agree that supporting organic farming is he best thing! But I also think we do what we can, one step at a time, to make the world a better place — even our little steps are better than no steps!
OneGreenMommy´s last blog ..Maple Syrup
I second “onegreenmommy” Doreen…we all do what we can! This is a journey
smilinggreenmom´s last blog ..Friday Friends~Meet Casey!
Doreen, your point is well made about lessening the demand for organics by choosing regular food or products. I tell people that every dollar spent on organic food, organic clothing, or sustainably-developed products, is a dollar NOT spent on the other stuff. Buying organic, even if it is just a little, helps move the needle towards sustainability. The organic movement is growing every day, and more power to it!.
Dave Urban´s last blog ..Bamboo Rayon T-Shirts For Men
Robin – I do understand. It truly isn’t economically feasible for some families and that was the reason for my first post too.
OneGreenMommy – I absolutely understand your points as well. “We can only do what we can do!” I sometimes have difficulty finding organics too, and being a busy mom, running all over creation hoping to find all the organics we need in our neighborhood can be really time consuming. We can only do our best! (mattresses included!)
smilinggreenmom – and I “third” that!
Dave – agreed… anything and everything we can buy is a step in the right direction.
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