Health Coaching - 6 Ways to Reduce you Pesticide Exposure
We are farm kids who have grown up alongside the growth of chemical farming. All these chemicals were marketed as “safe”, “harmless to humans”, “safe enough to drink”.
Huge volumes of chemicals have been poured on Australian farms from fertilisers to pesticides, providing great profits to multinational corporations, but at what cost to those who live and work on and around farms, and those who consume the produce?
As with the harmful predecessor chemicals like DDT they replaced, it was simply not true. We were born in the 1960’s, and the truth of pesticides and fertilizers in our lifetimes are:-
- Some set about disrupting the microbiomes of animals and humans (glyphosate).
- Some have lodged in the ecosystem as forever chemicals (PFAS );
- Some have locked up essential minerals, so they are not available to the plant, and thus those who consume them (superphosphate), requiring dietary supplementation for bone and cellular function.
- Some have been increasingly implicated in neurological diseases like Parkinsons (Paraquat and Diquat).
- Other effects include hormone disruption, increases in cancer, skin conditions, and increase in asthma and food intolerances.
As farm kids who have lived and worked rural almost all our lives and watched farming go from working with the land to pouring chemicals on genetically modified high-performance crops which need a high chemical load. As we have grown older we have developed allergies and health conditions which are increasingly shown to be associated with chemical exposure and malnutrition.
I became not just a TCM practitioner in 2 TCM strands, I also became a western health coach and undertook training in organic vegetable production which focused on soil health, which then produced healthy food.
Along the way we which have learned perhaps our parents were conned in the 60’s as to what was healthy for their growing families. Do yourself a favour and watch “That Sugar Film”, enrol in “The Healthy Patch Formula”, tap into Food Matters.
What we learned was most scientific research was undertaken by companies for companies to produce a result favourable to their products. Fair enough if you are funding it, however the results are not independent and impartial. The truth about scientific research – and I am as much a scientist as I am an engineer – is only 10% of all published research papers prove to be accurate long term. Science is great, when it is accurate.
Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to reduce your pesticide intake. Here are six strategies to help you minimize your exposure and make healthier choices for you and your family.
Anyone who had an “alternative” view of wholefoods and home grown was demonised. They demonised people like Grandma and Grandpa, who cooked and ate protein and 3 veg grown in their own garden or bought at the local markets. While science has improved life greatly since Grandpa’s and Grandma’s day, the area it has not really improved is diet. As we have come full circle on diet, there are ways we can return to eating like Grandma and Grandpa, who knew something the Ancient Greeks did:-
How do we eat like Grandma and Grandpa, and the Ancient Greeks?
1. Choose organic when possible
One of the most effective ways to lower your pesticide consumption is by choosing organic produce. Organic farming practices rely on natural methods like crop rotation, composting, and biological pest control. While organic produce may still contain some pesticide residues remaining in the environment, the levels are typically much lower than those found in conventionally grown foods.
To make the most of your organic purchases, prioritize buying organic versions of the "Dirty Dozen"—a list of fruits and vegetables identified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as having the highest levels of pesticide residues. Common items on this list include strawberries, spinach, and apples. By focusing on organic options for these foods, you can significantly reduce your pesticide intake. Check out this year’s list here.
https://www.foodmatters.com/article/your-dirty-dozen-clean-15-lists-are-here-2024
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2024’s The Dirty Dozen Prioritise buying these items organically.
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2024's Clean 15 Buying organic is considered less crucial because they have lower pesticide residue levels. But still try to buy organic.
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- Wash & peel your produce
Properly washing and peeling your fruits and vegetables can help remove some of the pesticide residues on their surfaces. While water alone can remove a portion of these residues, studies suggest that using a mixture of water and baking soda or a vinegar solution can be more effective.
How do I wash my veggies?
- Fill a large bowl with water,
- Add a tablespoon of baking soda or vinegar, and
- Soak your produce for 15-20 minutes.
- After soaking, scrub the produce with a brush and rinse it thoroughly under running water.
- For produce with thick skins, like cucumbers or apples, peeling can further reduce pesticide exposure, although it may also remove some of the nutrients found in the skin.
- Support local & seasonal produce
Buying local and seasonal produce can not only lower your pesticide consumption, but it also helps with the circular economy. Small farmers often use fewer pesticides, and locally grown produce requires fewer chemicals preserve freshness during transport. Seasonal produce is harvested at its peak ripeness, reducing the need for synthetic inputs to manage pest pressures.
How do I find my local producers?
- Visit farmers' markets or join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program to connect with local farmers. Many small farms follow organic or low-pesticide practices even if they are not certified organic.
- Visit an online farmers market, the biggest of which we are a Member of, and locate local producers. While we have the flash Shopify site, our preferred shop is to be with other local producers on the Open Food Network. The Open Food Network is an amazing resource.
- https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/map
- https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/nashama-wellness/shop
4. Grow your own food
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs is a powerful way to take control of what goes into your food. By cultivating a home garden, you can ensure that no synthetic pesticides or chemicals are used, giving you peace of mind about the safety of your produce.
Starting a garden does not require a large space—container gardening on a balcony or windowsill can yield fresh herbs, small fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens. Home gardening also allows you to experiment with organic pest control methods, such as companion planting, natural predators, and homemade insecticidal soaps, further reducing the need for chemical inputs.
If you are a beginner, check out The Healthy Patch education program. We were far from beginners, but we learned so much with this program:-
- Diversify your diet
Eat the Rainbow! Different crops are treated with different pesticides, so by diversifying your diet, you minimize the likelihood of consuming substantial amounts of any single pesticide. A varied diet ensures that you receive a broad spectrum of nutrients, which is key to maintaining overall health.
How do you do this? By incorporating a colourful mix of fruits and vegetables into your diet.
Reducing your pesticide consumption is a practical and achievable goal that can have significant benefits for your health. By choosing organic, washing and peeling your produce, supporting local and seasonal foods, growing your own garden, and diversifying your diet, you can minimize your exposure to harmful chemicals and make more informed choices about what you put on your plate. Each small step you take contributes to a healthier lifestyle and a safer food system for everyone.
- What you put on your skin matters.
Look for healthy body products and home fragrance products which are made form organic or minimum chemical ingredients which have had minimal processing and are free of phthalates, parabens and paraffins. Use soap, not soap-like products.
Here’s where businesses like ours come on. We have done the work for you on researching and producing healthy, environmentally and socially sustainable products.
We make great products which are healthy for you for a reason.
We make them for our own use after developing intolerances and irritations due to chemical exposure, and what we do not use ourselves we put in our shop.
Julia and Glen
