When you can’t get organic produce there are still ways in which you can protect yourselves by reducing pesticide residues on the food you eat –
It is best to wash all fresh fruit & vegetables thoroughly (whether organic or not) to remove residues of any pesticides, dirt, or bacteria.
TO SOAK
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons
- baking soda
- 2 + cups filtered water
- ¾ cup white vinegar
Options you could also add –
- 1 tablespoon organic lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 10 drops grapefruit seed extract
Directions
- Fill a clean sink or a large glass or metal bowl with the cold water.
- Add in vinegar and bicarb, (and salt, lemon juice or grapefruit seed extract if using) then swish around with hands.
- Place the fruit and/or veggies in and give another swish with your hands.
- Rub the produce with your fingers or brush it to clean off any residue. Scrub items with tough skins like potatoes or melons because residue can get caught in the crevices of the skin.
- Allow to sit for 25-30 minutes. This won’t affect the flavor. The vinegar and bicarb clean and the salt draws out any little bugs, dirt, and other small unwanted things. It also will remove some of the wax.
- Rinse well under cold running water for a good twenty seconds.
- Dry your produce with a disposable paper towel. This extra step helps remove remaining pesticide residues.
TO MAKE A SPRAY –
- 1-1 ½ cups water
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Put all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake gently to mix. It will foam up a little.
Then spray on veggies or fruit allow to sit for about 2-5 minutes before rinsing well under cold water.
