Pregnancy affects everyone differently, and the same applies to postpartum life. Just as both of these stages in life can be intense, emotional, or easy, so can breastfeeding, especially in the first few days after giving birth. Breastfeeding is worth it and being able to nourish your baby with your own body is nothing short of miraculous. Making sure the baby has a good latch from the beginning can help mitigate the pain. That said, breastfeeding is not a completely painless process, despite what you read. 

Go on any baby registry or talk to any mom or mom-to-be, and they will tell you that nipple cream is a must-have item. When you are in the trenches of learning to breastfeed, nipples can become irritated and sore. Some lactation experts recommend lanolin cream, but that doesn’t work if you are allergic to lanolin. 

What Is Lanolin?

Lanolin is the oil that is extracted from sheep’s wool. It undergoes a process to create finished lanolin, which is only problematic if you have a wool allergy. You also have to worry about potential pesticide residue found in wool. This can build up in fatty tissue or in breast milk if you apply it to your nipples. 

The reason for that is because a lot of sheep are sprayed with pesticides, which treat mites and various pests. Additionally, most sheep consume non-organic and GMO feed, traces of which are sometimes found in wool. Organic lanolin from healthy sheep exists, but it is hard to find. There are conflicting opinions and sources about the safety of lanolin, though. If you want to avoid the risk and be a little more careful with your little one’s first food, you may want a natural nipple cream.

Natural Nipple Cream

If you want to have an easier time with those first few days or weeks of nursing, you are going to need a soothing nipple cream. Because there are various natural nipple creams on the market, there is no need to make a DIY version. If you want to make your own because you want the assurance of knowing exactly what goes into the cream, this article provides an excellent DIY version. 

The baby may ingest some of the cream while nursing, so the goal is to use all-natural, safe ingredients for newborns. The ingredients in this cream have a low chance of allergic reaction. You’ll notice that it doesn’t contain almond oil, beeswax, or coconut oil, despite how beneficial those ingredients are to the skin. This is because they have a small chance of allergic reaction. This recipe is also free of essential oils for similar reasons, and because of their intensity. 

The Consistency

This nipple cream has a consistency that is more akin to a soft salve, but it is incredibly easy to apply. Should you desire a firmer cream, increase the amount of cocoa butter to one-third cup or more. You can also add some beeswax to thicken it, but there is a small chance that the baby could have an allergic reaction. Some evidence indicates that pesticides in inorganic beeswax may cause beeswax allergies. 

DIY Nipple Cream

Ingredients For Infused Oil:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chamomile flowers
• 1/4 cup calendula flowers
• 2 tablespoons marshmallow root
• Ingredients For Nipple Cream:
• 1/4 cup infused oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa butter

Instructions:

• You can make the infused oil one of three ways. The easiest way (provided you have time) is the solar method. 
• Add all of the ingredients to a pint-size mason jar, place in the sun, and shake daily for two to four weeks. Once the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with a cheesecloth to strain the herbs. 
• The quicker method is to fill a small saucepan with an inch or two of water and place it over low heat. Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar and place the jar in the saucepan.
• Allow the ingredients to melt and stir every so often once melted. Make sure to replenish the water if it evaporates too much. 
• Once the infusion is complete, use a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth to strain out the herbs. 
• Once you have the infused oil, you can make the nipple cream. Add 1/4 cup of the infused oil and cocoa butter to a heat-safe glass jar and fill a small saucepan with an inch or two of water. Place the saucepan over low heat and place the glass jar in the saucepan. 
• Stir the oil and cocoa butter until melted. Remove from heat and pour the mixture into a heat-safe glass jar or tin. Allow to cool at room temperature and then use when needed. 
• Keep the balm in a cool, dry place.

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Pesticides are used to reduce damage to crops from weeds, rodents, insects, and germs, but these chemicals have also been found in our bodies. Whether you buy non-organic or organic food, some form of pesticide has been used to protect the crops. That is why it is important to wash your fruits and vegetables every time you buy groceries.

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From non-organic strawberries to green beans and spinach, certain fruits and vegetables make the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list each year. Government lab tests found pesticide residue in nearly all non-organic grapes, peaches, strawberries, green beans, and leafy greens like kale. 

This Environmental Working Group (EWG) makes an annual “Dirty Dozen” list for grocery shoppers. This list is intended to inform shoppers about the top non-organic fruits and vegetables with detectable levels of pesticides. This year, mustard greens, collard greens, and kale topped the list with the most pesticide residue. Reports detected 103 individual chemicals, while hot peppers were next with 101 chemicals. 

Health experts regularly encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables, organic or not. If consumers are concerned about pesticide exposure, they can use the EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15” lists  to make better choices for them and their families. Continue reading to learn more about these lists. 

Which Fruits And Vegetables Are On The “Dirty Dozen” List For 2024?

According to the EWG, the following produce items had the highest levels of pesticides by government testing analysis. Keep in mind that the following fruits and vegetables are not listed in any particular order of pesticide residue. 

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Kale, collard greens, and mustard greens
• Peaches
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Bell and hot peppers
• Green beans
• Pears

What Pesticides Were Found In The “Dirty Dozen”?

The EWG report noted that four of the five most frequently detected chemicals were fungicides. Two of these fungicides, pyrimethanil and fludioxonil, had the highest concentrations of any pesticides found in the dozen produce items. According to reports, these fungicides are known endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body’s hormone systems responsible for growth and reproduction. 

The reason that fungicides are more commonly detected in non-organic produce items is because they are applied to plants during the growing process. This is to help prevent or completely remove fungus, and they are applied post-harvest to keep produce mold-free during transportation. Before the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tests for pesticides, the items are peeled, scrubbed, or washed. Despite the cleaning or peeling, testing still detected 254 different pesticides on fruits and vegetables, including the 209 different pesticides on the “Dirty Dozen” list. 

What About The “Clean 15” List For 2024?

The EWG also makes an annual list of non-organic produce that has the least amount of pesticides detected in lab tests. The great news about the foods on this year’s “Clean 15” list is that 65% of the food samples did not test positive for pesticide residue. Those 15 fruits and vegetables are listed below in no particular order:

• Papaya
• Avocados
• Kiwi
• Pineapple
• Asparagus
• Watermelon
• Sweet corn
• Mushrooms
• Sweet potatoes
• Frozen peas
• Onions
• Honeydew melon
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Mangoes

You Should Still Eat Fruits And Vegetables

You can limit your exposure to pesticides, even if you cannot buy organic produce. Many people choose non-organic produce over organic produce because it is less expensive. If you choose to buy non-organic produce then you can feel confident in buying the items on the “Clean 15” list. Reserve your budget to buy organic versions of the produce items on the “Dirty Dozen” list. Additionally, health experts encourage people to thoroughly wash produce items with water and a baking soda or vinegar solution to help remove pesticide residue. Peeling the produce can also decrease the exposure to these chemicals. 

Clinical dietitians say that the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables outweighs the risks of pesticide exposure from certain non-organic produce items. All fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes contain beneficial nutrients. Incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet will only benefit you in the long-run. The “Dirty Dozen” list is not intended to scare people away from eating healthy foods, despite their non-organic nature. The point is to simply inform shoppers so they can make decisions appropriately for themselves and their health. 

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About 75% of non-organic produce sold in the United States contains some residues of potentially harmful pesticides. The 2023 list of Dirty Dozen foods have the highest traces of pesticides, when compared to other produce items. Even though blueberries provide anti-inflammatory properties and green beans provide lots of fiber, they still joined the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) Dirty Dozen list.

What Is The Dirty Dozen List?

Given what is known about pesticides, any exposure is problematic. New findings are particularly concerning for young children, as they are vulnerable to the negative effects of pesticide exposure. The Shopper’s Guide represents the EWG’s analysis of the latest fruit and vegetable testing data from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The data includes 46,569 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables. 

In 2022, strawberries and spinach held the top two spots on the Dirty Dozen list, followed by three greens, including kale, collards, and mustard. Peaches, nectarines, pears, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, and cherries were next. Blueberries and green beans rounded out the list in the 11th and 12th spots. Scientists noted a total of 210 pesticides in those 12 foods, with the greens containing the highest number of different pesticides. 

What Tests Determine The Dirty Dozen?

The USDA peels or scrubs and washes produce samples prior to testing, whereas the FDA only removes dirt before taking samples. Even after these steps, the tests revealed traces of 251 different pesticides. Pesticides are not intended for human consumption because they are intended to harm living organisms. They are inherently toxic to humans and can increase the risk of hormone dysfunction, cancer, and may harm the brain and nervous system. 

It is public knowledge that the consumption of fruits and vegetables is vital to a healthy diet and optimal health. If you are concerned about your exposure to pesticides via diet, pay close attention to the Dirty Dozen list that the EWG releases every year. For 2023, the Dirty Dozen list is as follows:

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Kale, Collard Greens, & Mustard Greens
• Peaches
• Pears
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Grapes
• Bell & Hot Peppers
• Cherries
• Blueberries
• Green Beans

What Is The Clean 15 List?

Just as there is a dirty list, so too is there a clean list. Concerned consumers can choose conventionally grown fruits and vegetables from the EWG’s Clean 15 list. This list details crops that had the lowest traces of pesticides. In fact, about 65% of the foods on the list had no detectable levels of pesticides after testing. 

The reigning champion of the 2023 Clean 15 list was the mighty avocado. Sweet corn took second place, with pineapple, onions, papaya, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew melon, kiwi, cabbage, mangoes, sweet potatoes, watermelon, and carrots making up the rest of the list. Foods without traces of pesticides are especially important during pregnancy and childhood. Developing children require a combination of nutrients that have not been tainted by pesticides or other contaminants.

The Academy of American Pediatrics noted that exposure to pesticides in early childhood may increase the risk of learning problems, attention, and cancer. Exposure using pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects or low birth rate. 

Switch To Organic Sources

You don’t want to give up on many fruits and vegetables just because they have higher levels of pesticides. Many of the fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list exhibit impressive health properties that are essential to a balanced diet. Instead of avoiding them, consider buying organic versions of those produce items. Organic does not insinuate that they have more nutrients; rather, it means that they have little to no pesticide residue. 

Studies have shown that people who switch to an organic diet have reduced levels of pesticides in their urine. If organic is not available or it is too expensive, consider peeling or washing the produce items thoroughly. Don’t use detergents or other advertised fruit and vegetable rinses. Rinsing with water will help reduce pesticide levels. Always rinse before peeling the fruit or vegetable and use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce items like apples or melons. Finally, dry the produce with a clean paper towel to reduce bacteria that may still be present after rinsing.

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This season, The Toxic Inspector will go over everyday household items that contain toxic chemicals. This week, we’ll be going over pesticides.

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Pesticides are toxic and can cause cancer. Be sure to always wash your produce! This week, we will walk you through the Facts and Fiction about PESTICIDES!

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Back in the day of traditional farming, nobody ever thought to use pesticides on their crops. Although pests existed, farmers managed to grow what they needed, using natural solutions to stave off irritating pests. Nowadays, it’s perfectly normal to use chemical pesticides during agricultural practices. Just spray poison on the crops, which people inevitablly consume, and the pests go away. 

The Problem With Pesticides

Well, there isn’t just one single problem; rather, there are many. Pesticide sprays don’t single out the harmful insects from the beneficial ones. For example, they kill bees and butterflies and allow smaller predator populations to recover. They slowly develop a dependence on the chemical sprays, as opposed to the other natural systems. Additionally, plants may also become dependent on chemicals to grow properly. That is all to say that it’s time to get back to repelling insects the natural way, with companion plants. Repelling insects in this fashion actually increases biodiversity and enhances the ecosystems. The following plants may help to keep harmful pests away from what you are trying to grow. 

Alliums

This belongs to the onion family and the flowers are beautiful purple balls that bloom from tall green spikes, which are reminiscent of scallions. Alliums have been known to repel numerous pests, including slugs, carrot flies, cabbage worms, and aphids. These pests dislike the powerful aroma of alliums. 

Borage

Borage is an edible plant, with the flowers and leaves being safe for consumption. If you eat the leaves, make sure to choose the young varieties, otherwise they get fuzzy. The flavor is similar to that of a cucumber. They help attract bees and use deep taproots to pull up nutrients from deeper soil, depositing them on the surface. It also works to repel tomato hornworms and cabbage worms. 

Marigolds

Mosquitos, aphids, plant lice, and even rabbits avoid marigolds because they have a potent aroma. Fruit and vegetable farmers have used these little flowering plants to repel pests for many years. They are very easy to grow, especially in flower beds or planters. Make sure that they receive ample sunlight to thrive. 

Petunias

If you want to protect members of the brassica family (cruciferous vegetables), you’ll do well to plant petunias in the vicinity. The vibrant colors are signature to these wonderful flowers. Leafhoppers, tomato hornworms, aphids, and squash bugs do not like these flowers. 

Mosquito Plant

Yes, this is in fact a legitimate plant that offers a lacy green foliage and purple flowers. It’s also called citronella-scented geranium, and it is effective at repelling mosquitos. Mosquitos despise the citrusy aroma that comes from the plant’s natural oils. If you have lots of them flying around your yard, plant a couple to help repel mosquitos. 

Sunflowers

These are great garden companions because they help repel pests. Additionally, they are quite beautiful and distract aphids and white flies away from nearby plants. Those pests don’t actually have a negative effect on sunflowers, but they will harm other crops. Plant a few and see how the surrounding crops thrive. 

Chrysanthemums

Beetles, ticks, roaches, fleas, lice, mites, and ants will flee your garden when chrysanthemums are present. Several studies found that the extracts from the flowers can actually kill some of the aforementioned insects. In fact, chrysanthemum extract is a common ingredient in many residential insecticide products. This explains why pests steer clear of them.

Basil

There’s an enchanting quality to basil’s fresh aroma. Moths, mosquitos, and flies do not agree with this sentiment. In fact, they will steer clear of basil because of the potent scent. If you’re in a pinch and need to repel bugs away from your body, crush some basil leaves in your hand and rub them on your skin. You won’t have mosquito problems after that. 

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When you have a successful garden that is replete with attractive flowers, fruits, or vegetables, the last thing you want is for them to get plagued by pests. When harmful insects make a home in your garden, you can kiss all those hours spent in the dirt goodbye. That is, unless you catch them in the early stages.

No home gardener wants to rip out all of their plants that took months to grow. At the same time, spraying chemical pesticides on plants is not the ideal method of pest control. You don’t have to contaminate your plants and soil with chemicals because there are natural ingredients that keep pests away.

Cayenne Pepper

This spice is good for more than kicking your food up a notch. In addition to the pain-relieving properties, cayenne pepper can keep bugs and animals out of your garden and house. Cayenne pepper has a potent scent that bugs, cats, rodents, and dogs do not like. According to Geoff Zhender, an entomologist at Auburn University, cayenne pepper is great at keeping bugs away from cabbage plants.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is a natural insecticide, and it works to repel fleas, spiders, flies, beetles, ants, and mosquitos. Did you know that the stick bug actually emits a substance that fills the air with the scent of peppermint? It does this to fight off other insect predators because they don’t like the scent. In order for it to be effective, make sure that you purchase 100% pure peppermint essential oil that is free of additives.

Garlic

If you have an aphid problem, garlic is your go-to repellent. Aphids are small insects that adhere to the leaves of plants, creating small holes. Now you know that it wasn’t a caterpillar that ate holes in your leaves! As you know, garlic has a potent smell, which is off-putting to aphids and other insects. You can use it without harming your plants until your pest problem is no longer a problem.

Onion

Home gardeners don’t typically have the luxury or space to plant flowers, fruits, vegetables, or herbs in different locations. People typically plant various plants in the same garden box. To prevent pests from destroying all of the plants, people use companion planting. This is the practice of grouping different plants, some of which work to control pests. Onions are very effective at repelling insects, which is why they are commonly used in companion planting. They are most effective when planted near beets, cabbage, parsnips, chamomile, lettuce, and carrots.

DIY Pest Control Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 cups mint leaves (or 20 drops peppermint essential oil)
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• water

Instructions:

• Finely chop the onion, garlic, and peppermint leaves (unless you are using peppermint oil) and add it all to a blender or food processor with cayenne pepper. Blend until completely pulverized.
• Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing all the juice out.
• Add the blended mixture to a one-gallon container, along with the castile soap. Fill the rest of the container with water.
• Screw the top on the container and give it a good shake. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on any plants that are being attacked by bugs.
• Spray on your plants one to two times a week, or after it rains.

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Rice has been around for centuries. From China and Indonesia, to Portugal and Holland, rice is the staple component of hundreds of different dishes around the world, and it comes in many different types, such as brown, white, jasmine, and basmati. Many of us consume rice on an almost daily basis. Before you ask for another serving of it, however, you may want to know what truly lies behind rice and its many forms, including its “healthier” option, brown rice.

The biggest problem that has been found with rice is that it contains arsenic. Arsenic is a toxic trace element that can be found naturally in two categories: the organic arsenic, which is mainly found in plant and animal tissues, and the more toxic inorganic arsenic, found in rocks and soil or dissolved in water, which can lead to various types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Rice accumulates more arsenic than other food crops. In fact, it is the single biggest food source of inorganic arsenic, but what’s even worse is that brown rice, the rice that we have thought to be the healthier option, contains higher amounts of arsenic because it has not been stripped of the bran and husk. And when you realize that arsenic is also found in contaminated drinking water, you may want to start looking for other options.

If you still want to consume rice, opt for aromatic rice, such as basmati or jasmine since they have roughly one-third less inorganic arsenic than other brown rice. It is recommended to switch up the types of grains you consume, however. Alkaline grains are the best substitution for any rice variety. You can determine that a grain is alkaline because, unlike rice, it contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, causing the grain to bounce in boiling water. Below are some examples:

Wild Rice

May help to increase muscle mass, prevent cancer, aid in digestion, and improve heart function.

Amaranth

It is gluten-free, can help support bone health, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and is a good source of nutrients for pregnant women.

Quinoa

Although this is technically not a grain, you should opt for quinoa because it is high in magnesium, protein, fiber, iron, potassium and various antioxidants.

Buckwheat

It provides highly digestible protein, can help prevent diabetes, and can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Kamut

It contains up to 40 percent more protein than wheat. It is rich in zinc, magnesium, and selenium.

Rye

It contains anti-inflammatory properties, it is low in calories, and high in fiber. It aids metabolism, and can help prevent gallstones.

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Monsanto’s pesticides are sprayed on crops all over the world. These chemicals are associated with massive decrease in the bee population. Toxins also become airborne and if surrounding residents inhale them, they can develop health conditions. Could that all changed with one man’s patent?

Mycologist (fancy term for a person who studies fungi) Paul Stamens developed a patent in 2006, but it has received very little attention and exposure. The reason for this is because his patent could be “…the most disruptive technology we’ve ever witnessed,” said executives in the pesticide industry. Disruptive means good for the world, but very bad for the pesticide industry.

Paul has harnessed the power of nature to create a SMART pesticide. This natural pesticide is extremely safe and can control over 200,000 species of insects. He is calling it a “magic” mushroom. It keeps insects away from the crops without having to spray nasty chemicals on the crops.

Paul does this by taking entomopathogenic fungi (fungi that destroy insects) and morphing them so they do not produce spores. This attracts the insects and when they eat the fungi, they turn into fungi from the inside out. Pretty cool, right?

We live in a world where chemical pesticides are an integral part to modern agriculture. If you tolerate this, then you tolerate the destruction of the environment. Monsanto is a $16 billion per year business that has unlimited resources. Something that large has the ability to suppress or hide information, which could damage its reputation.

This is why it is important to educate yourself about the benefits of organic, sustainable agriculture and biodynamic farming. And sharing information, like this patent that Paul Stamens invented, only helps shed more light on the alternative possibilities to chemicals, GMOs, and herbicide-sprayed crops.

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