Green Diet

Eat locally. You don't have to be a vegetarian, but be aware of how your meats are raised. Buy your food directly from the local farmer whenever possible. The food is fresher and of higher quality, and all your money is going directly to supporting the farmer, rather than to grocery store overhead.

Eat produce that is in season (it's cheaper anyway). Here are some general guidelines for the best produce each month:

• JANUARY: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, tangelos, lemons, papayas, cabbages: red, white, and green, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower
• FEBRUARY: oranges, grapefruit, tangelos, lemons, papayas, broccoli, cauliflower
• MARCH: pineapples, mangoes, broccoli, lettuce
• APRIL: pineapples, mangoes, zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, asparagus, spring peas, broccoli, lettuce
• MAY: cherries, pineapples, apricots, okra, zucchini, rhubarb, artichokes, spring peas, broccoli, lettuce
• JUNE: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cherries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, corn, lettuce
• JULY: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums, cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, corn, green beans, lettuce
• AUGUST: watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums, cucumbers, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, lettuce
• SEPTEMBER: grapes, pomegranates, persimmons, eggplants, pumpkins, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce
• OCTOBER: cranberries, apples, pomegranates, grapes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, broccoli, spinach, lettuce
• NOVEMBER: cranberries, oranges, tangerines, pears, pomegranates, persimmons, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach
• DECEMBER: pears, oranges, tangelos, grapefruit, tangerines, papayas, pomegranates, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower
• ALWAYS A GOOD DEAL: bananas, potatoes, celery

Choose organic foods (check the Dirty Dozen lists). I also prefer organic dairy products and meats without added hormones for my family. All-natural is not the same as organic. Something can be all-natural and still have ingredients that were sprayed with chemical pesticides, etc.

The Dirty Dozen (foods that are most contaminated)
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes

Twelve Least-Contaminated Foods
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Kiwi
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya


Resources:



Buy Fresh Buy Local
www.buylocalpa.org/






Local Harvest www.localharvest.org/



Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/
Food News http://www.foodnews.org/ -- check this out for a wallet guide to the Dirty Dozen