How to remove pesticide residue

After looking at the 2019 Dirty Dozen, I knew I needed to make a quick post on how to remove pesticide residue.  Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes a list of the 12 most contaminated foods based on data from the Department of Agriculture.  With summer approaching and strawberries placed at the top of the list, making sure to properly wash your strawberries will hopefully come to the top of your list.  

According to the EWG, almost 70% of the produce sold in the US has pesticide residues.  All the foods tested were washed and peeled, just like if we were to prepare them at home, but the tests still proved that simple washing was not enough to remove the pesticides.  With high numbers like that, it’s important to know how to remove pesticide residue so that the healthy foods you are trying to eat are actually working in favor of your health.

The easiest way to eat clean foods free of pesticide residue is to purchase organic when you can.  

Studies show that those who eat organic foods have 25% fewer cancers than those who eat conventionally.  However, purchasing organic is not always possible, and that can be because of anything from availability to budget.  Because of that, I’m showing you my water and vinegar solution that can be helpful to wash most of your fruits and vegetables, whether they are on the Dirty Dozen list or not.  This wash is very easy to make with simple, affordable ingredients. To help further stretch out your dollars, when it comes to strawberries, there are some extra measures to take to ensure that your strawberries have reduced pesticides, but also taste fresh and last longer.  

The instructions on how to remove pesticide residue in strawberries is fairly simple:

1. First mix together 3 cups of water to 1 cup of vinegar in a large bowl.
2. Next, rinse the strawberries and soak them in the water vinegar mixture for 15 minutes.
3. Rinse with cold water.
4. Thoroughly dry the strawberries and add a paper towel to the bottom of the original container.  Put the strawberries back in the container and enjoy strawberries that stay fresh longer!

Looking for some recipes to make with your clean strawberries?  Try my Chia Pudding Parfait or my Fruit Nachos.