Crop Dusting - Take 2

I recently posted THIS about Crop Dusting.

A fellow blogger, Renee has some experience and I love that she shared her perspective on this issue:

"I ran an almond facility in California (25 million lbs a year)...I have my applicator license and we treat almonds with a safe pesticide that has 0 residual (we test)...I have also had a ton of dealings with Organic product...ALL organic product coming in from the fields had 16-25% insect damage and live/invested deliveries...where there is insects and insect damage there is also a MUCH HIGHER risk of ecoli, salmonella and aflatoxin....all things I KNOW are much more dangerous than pesticide that dissipates over a controlled period of time....just something to think about....either way has it's drawbacks. I love that people (you) think about what they put in their tummies...and talk about it...each person gets to make their own choices and I more than respect your choice to choose Organic."

Thanks Renee for sharing your perspective with us.

It certainly sheds new light on the issue.

I just love this about the blogging world.

Learning from each other.

Sharing our stories.

Sarah // Fabulousness

Have you seen the latest issue of 425 magazine?


If not, then let me brag about my friend Sarah (because she would never brag about herself!).

It's a girlfriend's right to brag about the fabulousness of the other.

And yah ... I think I just made up that word.

Check out Sarah in the latest issue ...


Super hot, right!?!

The best part?

She's just as hot on the inside.

One of the most sincere and loyal friends I've ever had.

She is there for you unconditionally no matter what.

A friendship I treasure and am thankful for every day.

Go get yourself a copy of 425 magazine!

Love you Sarah!

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

Call It Whatever You Want

I have been on this earth for almost 34 years now.

And I have never, ever, ever seen crop dusting before.

Some jazz up the name and call it "aerial application."

Whatever it is ...

GOOD LORD.

I call it "how would you like a bunch of chemicals all over your food?"

While driving through Eastern Washington yesterday, my eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw images just like this ...



That's right people.

Those are the fields of fruit and vegetables that we eat all year.

Being sprayed by chemicals.

That we put in our bodies.

Now I know all about the organic food craze.

I've read the books, seen the movies, done the research.

But something about seeing it first hand that really rocks your world.

I'm rocked.

I can't turn back.

Can't pretend it's not there.

Can't pretend I didn't see it.

To make wiser consumer choices here is a list of produce with the highest level of pesticide contamination from gourmetfood.com

Top 12 fruits and vegetables that we should be buying organically:
1. Nectarines – 97.3% of nectarines sampled were found to contain pesticides.
2. Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.
3. Pears – 94.4% of pears sampled were found to contain pesticides.
4. Peaches – 93.7% of peaches sampled were found to contain pesticides.
5. Apples – 91% of apples sampled were found to contain pesticides.
6. Cherries – 91% of cherries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
7. Strawberries – 90% of strawberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
8. Imported Grapes – 86% of imported grapes (i.e. Chile) sampled were found to contain pesticides.
9. Spinach – 83.4% of spinach sampled were found to contain pesticides.
10. Potatoes – 79.3% of potatoes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
11. Bell Peppers – 68% of bell peppers sampled were found to contain pesticides.
12. Red Raspberries – 59% of red raspberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.

And because buying organically is more expensive, here is a list of fruits and vegetables found to contain the least amount of pesticides (also from gourmetfood.com).
* Asparagus
* Avocados
* Bananas
* Broccoli
* Cauliflower
* Corn (However, almost all corn is genetically modified)
* Kiwi
* Mangoes
* Onions
* Papaya
* Pineapples
* Sweet Peas

Happy, healthy eating friends!

A Family Weekend

Jay and I had a great weekend in Spokane.

Jay's grandpa passed away and we made the trip to Spokane to spend time with his family and attend his Grandpa's service.
The service was held on Friday afternoon, which was sunny and beautiful and perfect.

Grandpa had a military grave-side burial which was absolutely beautiful.

Two members of the navy performed the flag ceremony and taps.

Oh yah, and I bawled like a baby.

And two of his uncles got pooped on by birds.

That was some much-needed comic relief.

On Saturday, we went to Kole's soccer game.

Nothing like seeing four year-old's running up and down a grassy field.

And fist-pumping when they get a goal.

Entertainment for sure.

Though Cooper wasn't too amused.

Here he is, looking the OPPOSITE DIRECTION as the soccer field (keeping attention isn't his best quality).


We spent the rest of the weekend lovin' up Tatum and taking naps.

Tatum sleeping ...

And sleeping ...

Oh ... and look at this!

Susie & Cooper sleeping!

Susie is Jay's brother's fiance and I can't WAIT for us to be sisters!

It was a fun weekend.

Milestones

You do not want to miss my friend's heartbreaking yet beautiful story.

It's all about how you look at it.

And she has a unique, beautiful perspective.

Love you friend.

And Happy Birthday Angelo!

Click HERE to read.

It's Been A Day

Today has been a day.

And I'll just leave it at that.

They can't all be good.

Right?!?

Just want to go home and crawl into bed.

Jay's grandpa passed away and we're heading to Spokane for his service and to spend time with family.

Sad stuff.

Hope you have a good weekend!

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

4.5

I only have 4.5 weight watchers points left for the rest of the day.

Because I thought it would be a good idea to eat 6 mini Cadbury eggs.

I'm kicking myself for that choice.

Dinner should be interesting!

Guess I better earn some activity points!

Cuzzy/Sissy

This picture is posted without permission.

My cousin is pretty reserved in her public life and would never brag about herself.

So I will!

She is a super smart, beautiful, energetic, positive, carefree, and selfless woman.

She is also my best friend.

My students LOVE IT when she visits.

She starts out talking about seaweed, and every time, the kids veer her towards diving.

Which changes to sharks.

Which ultimately changes to shark attacks.

Cuz you know ... they're 6 years-old.

And sharks are WAY cooler than seaweed.

Here is a picture of her up in Vancouver, doing what she does best.

Which I'm not entirely sure I even understand.

But here's my take on it:

She's getting her PhD right now and my guess is she's studying different forms of seaweed.

Might have to do with seaweed reproduction.

I've probably totally missed the mark.

Regardless, I love this picture of her.

This is where she is truly in her element, totally at peace, and happy.

The beach.

Surrounded by some stealer seaweed.

As her dog looks on.


Love you Jenna!