Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen

Posted on July 17, 2012 by livinglikelinds

The dirty dozen and clean fifteen list changed the way I eat and buy produce, ever since I learned of it. Published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) each year, it lists the 12 worst and cleanest 15 produce items based on pesticides, insecticides and toxins. I’ve included the lists for 2012 below, but more information can be found here: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

Some highlights from the lists:

The most contaminated fruits, in alphabetical order, are apples, domestic blueberries, grapes, imported nectarines, peaches and strawberries
The most contaminated vegetables are bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes and spinach
Every sample of imported nectarines tested positive for pesticides, followed by apples (98 percent) and imported plums (96 percent)
As a category, grapes have more types of pesticides than any other produce, with 64 different pesticides
Bell peppers had 88 different pesticide residues, followed by cucumbers (81) and lettuce (78)

I always try to buy organic produce from the dirty dozen list, and even organic on some of the “clean” items because I feel more comfortable eating them. It isn’t always possible, but I sure try, which I think counts for something. Apples happen to be one of my favorite fruits, and the best organic apples I’ve found are at Trader Joe’s-they have organic Gala apples that are to die for! I’ve watched the evolution of organic options at the military commissaries change dramatically over the last several years, which is encouraging, too.

For me, it’s about caring what I put in my body, and how I choose to fuel it, and I prefer not to eat chemicals.

Tomato Basil Sliders

Posted on July 15, 2012 by livinglikelinds

The other night Seth created these:

1 pkg organic ground turkey (I think we used Organic Valley?)
1 roma tomato, diced
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 small yellow onion
3-4 garlic cloves, diced
Fresh basil leaves
Sprinkle of Cholula, or preferred hot pepper seasoning
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

He mixed all of the above ingredients together (with his hands for better ingredient incorporation) and formed into 6 plump sliders. He then pan fried them in a little whole butter and reserved bacon fat (Paleo win!). I took 2 in my lunch the next day, and they were even more fantastic.

This recipe was very easy, and could be altered in many ways. Several of the vegetables added, were last minute that needed to be used, so they were tossed in (very glad they were!). I will say, with the addition of the roma tomato, it added moisture to the typically dry organic meat, that was just perfect, and the fresh basil he picked from the garden with a flashlight, added a fresh, crisp flavor.

Slip Sliding Away…

Posted on July 12, 2012 by livinglikelinds

Sorting through some paperwork last weekend, I came across this:

It made me think back to when I was first given the “sliding scale” and how terrified I was by these two sliding pieces of cardboard. I thought they were initimidating, scary, and I didn’t understand what they meant.

Now, I snicker at them, and smile.

Did you Know?

Posted on July 11, 2012 by livinglikelinds

That I ran away and got married? Best. Decision. Ever.

Seth had joined the Navy while we were still dating, and when he received his first orders to San Diego in January, we decided I would move out to join him in May. We didn’t make it very long before deciding that I’d move at the end of February. I told my family I would be moving to San Diego to live with my boyfriend and I imagine they thought I was nuts, but nonetheless and in true fashion of my parents, they supported me.

I resigned at my job, and started packing my belongings into boxes, trying to prioritize what we couldn’t live without starting our new life together. Trying to determine what would fit in our only vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler that I would soon drive across the country with for several days alone, was comical. For the record, not a lot fit, and thinking back to what I brought, my priorities have clearly changed.

I left my family and my life in Iowa, where I was born and raised on February 26, 2003, and drove all the way across the country to San Diego, by myself. It was the dead of winter but fortunately I had my analog Nokia cell phone that had pretty much zero service. That first day, I only made it ¾ of the way through Nebraska and for those that have ever driven through Nebraska, you can appreciate why. I arrived safely three days later at 4pm on Friday February 28^th, with a huge smile on my face.

Saturday, March 1, 2003 at 9am, we were at the San Diego County Clerk’s office, saying our vows. It cost us about $50, but because we were broke and what little money we had was going towards a security deposit for our new home, etc., we opted out of purchasing the $5 polaroid to document our day. Hysterical.

Following our new marriage, we headed to the store for groceries where our first argument ensued-over wheat or white bread. Again, priorities.

Reflecting back on the last 9+ years of our marriage, I don’t think we could be any luckier. For everything we have gone through, four moves all over the US and the Caribbean, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, job changes, etc. we clearly knew exactly what we were doing, at such a young age.

Here’s to walking through the next 9 years together with my best friend: