Earth Day and Detoxification
With the 51st anniversary of Earth Day just around the corner, we encourage you to make a positive change for your health and the environment. Here are a few tips for you:
1. Review the “dirty dozen” list (see below)– which is a list of the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides – and commit to purchasing them organic. We know it is more expensive, however, you are what you eat, absorb and don’t excrete, right!?
2. Dispose of cosmetic and personal hygiene products that contain: chlorinated pesticides, heavy metals, PCBs and solvents. Visit the Environmental Working Groups cosmetic database to see how your cosmetics rate environmentally. Click Here to see the database.
3. Get moving! Dust off your bike or lace up your walking shoes and instead of driving to the store for a few groceries, walk or ride! Every trip where you do not turn on your ignition saves the environment by reducing emissions. And remember, no one wins when you idle your vehicle – not your pocketbook, not your children having to breathe in more pollutants and especially not the environment.
4. Stop buying water from the grocery store: watch The Story of Bottled Water and remember that a home filtration system and Kleen Kanteen stainless steel water bottles are great steps to take for the environment, your health and pocket book (in the long run).
5. We encourage patients to read “Clean, Green and Lean – Get Rid of Toxins that Make you Fat” – by Naturopathic colleague Dr. Walter Crinnion. Remember to take the environmental toxin quiz to find out the level of toxins in your body. If you are exposed to lots of toxins, book an appointment with Dr. Mason-Wood ND who can help you detoxify your body.
6. Along the detoxification theme, we are pleased to promote our colleague, Dr. Carol Morley’s ND new book titled: “Delicious Detox” – a cookbook to help you through the detoxification process”. Click here to buy the book. Congrats Carol!!
7. Participate in an event on Earth Day! For ideas to create your own event in your community check out https://earthday.ca/!
DIRTY “DOZEN” LIST:
PRODUCTS WITH HIGHEST LEVELS OF PESTICIDES
1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Cherries
8. Peaches
9. Pears
10. Bell and Hot Peppers
11. Celery
12. Tomatoes
CLEAN FIFTEEN LIST:
PRODUCTS WITH LOWEST LEVELS OF
PESTICIDES
- Avocados
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Brocolli
- Cabbage
- Kiwi
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew Melon
- Cantaloupe
