• Do not overconsume foods that have a tendency to concentrate pesticides, such as animal fats, meat, eggs, cheese, and milk. Try to purchase free-range and organic forms of these foods.
  
• Buy organic produce, which is grown without the aid of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
  
• Explain your desire to your local grocery store produce manager to reduce your exposure to pesticides and waxes. Find out where they get their produce. Make sure the store is aware that foreign produce is much more likely to contain excessive levels of pesticides as well as those that have been banned in Canada.
• Try to buy local produce in season.
• Peeling off the skin or removing the outer layer of leaves of some produce may be all you need to reduce pesticide levels. The downside of this is that many of the nutritional benefits are concentrated in the skin and outer layers. An alternative measure is to remove surface pesticide residues, waxes, fungicides and fertilizers by soaking the item in a mild solution of additive-free soap, such as Ivory, an all natural, biodegradable cleanser available at most health food stores or plain old apple cider vinegar. Soak, gently scrub and rinse.
• Recent studies show that the top 12 foods ranking in pesticide contamination were (ranked in order of most contaminated): peaches, strawberries, apples, spinach, nectarines celery, pears, cherries, potatoes, sweet bell peppers, raspberries, grapes.
• The lowest ranking 12 foods in pesticide contamination was (ranked in least contaminated): sweet corn, avocado, pineapples, cauliflower, mango, sweet peas, asparagus, onions, broccoli, bananas, kiwi, papaya.
  

Click here for more information on pesticides

For more information on nutrition: CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks Centreville Mall, 342 Main Street, Suite 121, Shediac, N.B. Tel: 506 532-8885 or e-mail: nutrition@nb.aibn.com

Pesticides and herbicides are sprayed on or added to food crops each year. There is a growing concern that in addition to these pesticides directly causing cancers, exposure to these chemicals through food consumptions damages your body’s detoxification mechanisms, thereby increasing your risk of getting cancer and other diseases.

Some pesticides can act like the hormone estrogen, thus being one suspect of the growing epidemic of estrogen-related health problems, including breast cancer. Some evidence also suggests that these chemicals increase the risk of developing lymphomas, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer as well as playing a role in low sperm counts and reduced fertility in men.

Avoiding pesticides is especially important for preschool-aged children. Why? They eat more food relative to their body mass and they consume more foods higher in pesticide residues such as juices, fresh fruits and vegetables. A recent study that analyzed levels of breakdown products of organo-phosphorus pesticides (a class of insecticides that disrupt the nervous system) in the urine of thirty-nine urban and suburban children 2 to 4 years of age found that concentrations of pesticide metabolites were one sixth as high in children who ate organic fruits and vegetables as those eating conventional produce. After this study parents of small children were warned to limit or avoid conventionally grown foods known to have high residues, such as cantaloupes, green beans (including canned and frozen), pears, strawberries, Mexican-grown tomatoes and winter squash and apples.

Next time you buy groceries think about your health and wellness. Look for organic products. Here is the database to find certified organic farmers in New Brunswick: www.acornorganic.org/pages/databaseregional.html

Our next blogg: our recommendations for avoiding pesticides in your diet.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose or treat illness. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

For information on meditation click here

For more information on nutritional planning or complete nutritional assessments contact:

CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644, e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: http://www.wellness-healthworks.com/

Learn to meditate. Taking time to be in silence every day can help you develop focus and discover purpose in your life.

Let’s get started. Find a quiet, comfortable spot where you won’t be interrupted. Sit in your favorite chair, on a rock by a river, in a warm bath or even on a blanket on the grass. If your eyes are open, focus softly on whatever is about 4 feet in front of you. Let your gaze fall slightly down, if you are sitting. Sit still for a few minutes at a time when first starting. Completely be with yourself.

Concentrate on your breath – breathing in as naturally as possible – without forcing anything, as if your breath is a natural flow, in and out. If your mind starts to wander, notice your thoughts without judgment – let them go. Always come back to your breath. After awhile you will notice that your thoughts start slowing down.

This is meditation – your most natural state – simply being with yourself for a few minutes a day, getting to know your mind, your thoughts, yourself.

To learn more about getting back on track and cleansing click here

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose or treat illness. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

For more information on meditation or relaxation techniques contact:

CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644, e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com