Organic or Not?

I fight with this question constantly. Should I buy this or that organic? Is it ok to buy the "all natural" variety instead? There are certain things we'd never eat if we had to find them raised organically. I live in a smallish town with one health food store and it doesn't sell produce! Right now I am limited the the "Nature's Promise" brand at my local Giant, or I have to drive 40 mins to my nearest Wegmans.
I try to buy as much produce as I can organically. There are things I would never allow Dylan, my son, to eat unless they were organic like; strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples.... the list goes on. What I found very surprising is that things like celery, lettuce, and bell peppers are high on the pesticide list. What I found comforting is avocados, mangos, and papaya are fairly low on the list. If I had the money, I would buy everything organic and not worry so much about it. However, working with a very limited budget these days, I find myself compromising a lot.
Here is a nice list of the fruits and veggies that are high on the residue list. http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/nutrition/a/pesticides.htm
I take the top 15 and try very hard to buy them organically. But as I said, I often have to compromise due to money or availablity.
I remember talking to my friend Marie about this issue and she said something like this, " I choose to believe that the benefit of the fruit or veggie, outweighs the harm of the pesticide." I wonder if there is any truth in this.
And what about dairy and meat? Oh boy! This is a BIG one for me. I want nothing more than to buy organic meats, but our budget doesn't allow for this. One day I hope to either have the money, or the answers.

For the Love of Pizza

In an attempt to get my son to eat something, anything, I have resorted to the "Kid's Menu". No I have yet to go so far as to buy hot dogs for him, but I have recently purchased nitrate free, junk free, turkey lunch meat. Of course, like everything else, Dylan loved it for about a week and then moved on... to what? I have no idea. If only he could talk! There are 2 things that he will almost always eat. Any guesses? Yep, you got it right Mamas! Mac and Cheese and Pizza.
In an attempt to make pizza a bit healthier, I have found the ultimate pizza crust recipe! It is quick, easy, healthy, and delicious. Even my sugar eating carnivore husband loves it.
Here ya go! This is the recipe without my changes. Still awesome and nutritious.

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 package of quick-rising yeast
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs ground flax seeds
2/3 cup very warm water
2 tsp honey
2 tsp olive oil
cornmeal and olive oil for preparing pan

Combine both flours, yeast , salt, and ground flax in a bowl and mix well.

In another bowl, add water and stir in honey and olive oil. Add this to the dry mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a round ball is formed. Turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead for about 1-2 mins. Lightly coat dough ball with olive oil and place in bowl and cover. Let rise until it is double in size, about 20 mins.

In the mean time, preheat oven to 425 degrees and prepare pizza dish by lightly coating with olive oil and about a Tbs of corn meal.

After dough has doubled in size, just roll is out on a floured surface to fit the pizza dish you are using, top with sauce, cheese, and any other toppings you desire. Bake at 425 for 12-17 mins or until cheese is bubbling and crust is done.

Voula!

Last night I was on a mission to use the veggies in the frig that where on their last leg. I sauteed a small eggplant, half an onion, and a green pepper for our toppings. It was so delicious!!! Dylan ate 2 small slices which is a lot for him . I felt much better about what he was eating than if we would have ordered a pizza or used a premade crust. It took exactly 13 mins to bake and it was perfect. crust was firm but soft enough for Dylan to crunch with his 2 teeth.

I did make a few changes to mine. I used stone ground whole wheat pastry flour in place of the regular all purpose flour. I also used Forti-Flax in place of the plan old ground flax because it is fortified and 100% organic. And as I said, my son doesn't eat much so where ever I can get a little extra nutrition, I go for it.

Enjoy!