As much as we might like to, there is just no way that we can afford to buy all organic.  Instead, we try to maximize our efforts by focusing on organic where it makes the greatest difference.  A great starting point is with the “dirty dozen.”  This is a list of the twelve fruits and vegetables that the USDA (I think it’s the USDA.) has determined are typically highest in pesticide residues.  Obviously, you’ll get some bang for your buck to go organic here!  On the other hand, there’s a list of fruits and vegetables that are lowest in pesticide residues – it really isn’t worth the money to go organic here (unless you truly can afford to buy all organic).  Take bananas, for instance.  They have such a thick peel that any pesticides pretty much don’t make it through to the fruit.  But organic bananas cost almost twice as much (sometimes they do cost twice as much) as conventional.  So, while I might buy organic if I’m feeding the banana to an infant, I’m otherwise not going to bother.

Heidi at My Paper Crane has put together a really cute pocket version of this list.  The cartoon fruits and vegetables may even help ingrain them in your memory so that you don’t need the card for long!

Download her dirty dozen list here.

Maximizing my buying power works for me!