Shopper's Guide to Pesticides (via EWG)

Consuming even small doses of pesticides can cause lasting health damage and is especially dangerous during fetal development and early childhood. Lucky for us, the Environmental Working Group is always workingb for our safety and has identified what they are calling the "Dirty Dozen" list of produce with the highest likelyhood for pesticide exposure. This doesn't mean we shouldn't consume those fruits and vegetables, but rather that we should buy them organic or try to grow them ourselves. Download their shopping guide here, here or find the iPhone App here.

In case you have trouble downloading the guide, here are the dirty dozen:

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

Dangerous (and Secret) Chemicals in Popular Perfumes

Laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by Environmental Working Group revealed 38 secret chemicals - including the oh-so-sketchy diethyl phthalate, a chemical linked to abnormal development of reproductive organs and sperm damage - in 17 name brand fragrance products. The average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. Here's an infographic showing secret chemicals in some popular ones:

And according to the EWG, "This complex mix of clandestine compounds in popular colognes and perfumes makes it impossible for consumers to make informed decisions about the products they consider buying," so if you are fond of scented procucts I highly recommend visiting EWG Not So Sexy to learn about the regulations and lack thereof in the frangrance sector.