Honestly, I’m a snob…

I've rarely paid attention to the Dirty Dozen or the Clean 15.

Why?
 ​

• I live in Santa Cruz, CA, a beach town with great farmer’s markets and an abundance of health food stores with plenty of organic produce.
• I’m lucky.  I can afford to buy organic.  (or at least I think I can.)

Easy, peasy.  Why pay attention when I’m going to buy organic anyway?

Because, sometimes I step my little toe outside of Santa Cruz.
 
Actually, I just took a big dive outside of my comfort zone and I’m not talking about just swimming in a lake with non-aggressive crocodiles.  “Leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone.”  That’s another story!
 
I’m at the beginning of a ten-month trip with my family.  

Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland

​It seemed like a good idea…

​Yes, we’re in Australia, an English speaking country.  It makes it easier. 
 
Still. 
 
It’s hard to figure out what’s what.
 
I shopped in a Cole’s supermarket.  Think big, think fluorescent lighting, think an organic produce section smaller than my closet at home.
 
Then I went to Rusty’s Market, a big market open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Cairns (Queensland).

Rusty's Market, Cairns Australia

So much produce!

Fruits and vegetables, Rusty's Market, Cairns, Australia

It was still overwhelming and difficult trying to find organic produce.  My second trip was more "fruitful."

Traveling from Cairns, up to the small town of Yungaburra, in the Atherton tablelands, changed it up.  The area is home to much of the farmland in Northern Queensland.  The local cafes use the local produce, but I found it difficult still to find it in the stores.

​Talking to some locals we met at the healthfood coop in Atherton, they said you just have to be in the know about local markets.
​

---

So…it’s time for me to go back to the basics and maybe it’s time for you, too!

If organic isn't available or if you need to watch your food budget, these lists are good guidelines for avoiding chemical pesticides.

12 Most Contaminated Dirty Dozen Plus™

​15 Least Contaminated Clean 15™

​These are the conventional (non-organic) foods that are most contaminated by chemicals.*
 

• Apples
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Grapes
• Hot Peppers
• Nectarines (imported)
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Kale/Collard Greens
• Snap Peas

These are the least contaminated foods when you can’t find organic.*
 

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Cabbage
• Cantalope
• Sweet Corn
• Eggplant
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Cauliflower
• Onions
• Papayas
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Sweet potatoes​

*These lists come from the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, they drive consumer choice and civic action.

---

Eat out or cook at home?

With the meager selections in the local supermarkets, it has seemed easier and more healthy to eat out, rather than eat in, which is opposite of my usual recommendation.  Also, we've just moved into our rented campervan, so I'll need to make meals that are easier to prepare in a camp kitchen.

This was typical fare at the cafes in the Atherton Tablelands.

---

Comment below if you have favorite go-to recipes for when you are traveling to places that don't have your usual foods or markets or other food travel tips to share.

If you've found this article interesting or helpful, please share with your friends and like on
​Facebook down below!

---

​If you'd like to be sure you receive my healthy tips and updates each week, enter your name and email below and you'll also receive Eleven Ways to Increase Your Energy!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and receive your free guide.