“Our findings have global implications and advance what we know about the sustainability benefits of organic farming systems,” John Reganold, Washington State University Regents professor of soil science and lead author of the study, which was just published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE, said in a media statement. “We also show you can have high quality, healthy produce without resorting to an arsenal of pesticides.”

The comprehensive study involved the analysis of 31 chemical and biological soil properties and soil DNA, as well as the taste, nutrition and quality of three strawberry varieties on 13 conventional fields and 13 organic ones.

The scientists discovered that organic strawberries had significantly higher antioxidant activity including much higher concentrations of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds (phytonutrients known to help protect and fight a host of disease). The organic strawberries also had a longer shelf life. What’s more, anonymous testers found organic strawberries looked and tasted better. The researchers also documented that organic soils excelled in important chemical and biological properties – including nitrogen, microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and micronutrients.

All tea varieties including white, green, black, and oolong tea are derived from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. They contain numerous compounds including polyphenols  (catechins), tocopherol, vitamin C, as well as other antioxidants. Green tea has been documented to be helpful for artherosclerosis, LDL cholesterol, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, liver disease, weight loss, neuro-degenerative diseases, and halitosis.

Making your own tea at home guarantees the perfection of your taste preferences and the absence of  artificial ingredients or high fructose corn syrup. A brewed tea at home ensures the use of an ideal combination of organic and local ingredients such as organic tea,  fresh-squeezed lemon juice, no sugar, and your sweetener of choice (honey, agave or stevia).

The tea with powerful health-promoting properties would be made at home with green tea, honey, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

Recently, scientific research has shown that drinking  green tea with lemon juice is best to bring out its health benefits. A study from Purdue University found that most catechins are not absorbed into the bloodstream when tea is drunk by itself,  but adding lemon juice to the tea lowers the pH in the small intestine and allows a better absorption of the catechins. Green tea is up to 5 times as healthy when citrus is adedd.

Common growing practices make the crops shown on the left above and listed below the most likely to contain pesticide residues:

Try to buy these organic as much as you can!

1.Celery
2.Peaches
3.Strawberries
4.Apples
5.Blueberries (Domestic)
6.Nectarines
7.Sweet Bell Peppers
8.Spinach
9.Collard Greens/Kale
10.Cherries
11.Potatoes
12.Grapes (Imported)

These are the produce that, when grown conventionally, poses the least risk of exposure to pesticides:

1.Onions
2.Avocados
3.Sweet Corn
4.Pineapples
5.Mangos
6.Sweet Peas
7.Asparagus
8.Kiwi
9.Cabbage
10.Eggplant
11.Cantaloupe (Domestic)
12.Watermelon
13.Grapefruit
14.Sweet Potatoes
15.Honeydew Melon

Hemp foods are the highest source of easily digestible, essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the plant world better than nuts and cashews. Hemp seed oil contains 54.4% linoleic acid (Omega-6), 18.3% linolenic acid (Omega-3), 2-5% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and 1-2% stearidonic acid. Hemp seeds, rich in vitamin E and minerals,  are 33% protein and contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. The seeds contain eight essential amino acids the human body cannot make and two that human body cannot make in a sufficient quantity in a perfect ratio of omega-6-to-omega-3 which are necessary to maintain brain health, memory, mood, and concentration.

Hemp’s ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids close to 4 makes hemp products a wonder healthy food. This ratio of fatty acids and in particular omega 3 fatty acids  is beneficial for the prevention of heart disease and cancer. Hemp seed protein contains 65% edistin – a plant globulin which is the highest content  in any plant on earth. Human body uses globulin proteins to make antibodies that are the main entities to create a healthy immune system.

Eating raw, organic, pure hemp seeds provides the body all the essential amino acids required to maintain health and supply the specific amino acids to make immunoglobulins.

To grow your own groceries, you don’t need to be so experienced, or have a huge backyard garden. These delicious plants require very little effort:

Basil: Chop it up and freeze it in an ice-cube tray, then stir the cubes into soup or other dishes.

Blueberries: Get an older bush which is ready to start producing.

Green beans: Green beans are easy to grow and easy to prepare.

Peppers: Try the spicy ones – they dry well.

Perennial herbs: Oregano, rosemary, thyme and sage are all good, easy perennials.

Salad greens: Lettuce can last throughout the summer. Plant it in a shady area.

Strawberries: You will not get enough to make jam, but you can have some for breakfast.

Tomatoes: Beginner gardeners should start with seedlings. Use stakes for support.

Also see: Indoor Garden in your Apartment