Buying Organic can get expensive...are there foods that are worse than others?

Ever since moving to Toronto in 1997 and living on my own, I have become much more aware of how much food costs, especially if you want to eat healthy and buy organic. I am constantly looking for sales at the grocery store and am happy to see more and more organic products in the stores, because that means it will be more competitively priced.

Having two children now has really caused me to prioritize what aisles I visit at the grocery store, because more than ever I am determined to provide healthy meals for my family. At times this can get quite stressful, especially when I have to go to 3 different Shoppers Drug Marts late at night to find organic milk for my daughter's daycare by the next morning! I want the best for my family, but I've learned that we can't be perfect, we can only be expected to do the best we can.

There are however, a few foods that I will not compromise on and will always buy organic. These are meat and dairy products. When it comes to fruits and veggies, I am more selective and only buy organic if they are high on the pesticide list. This helps my wallet a bit. This summer I plan to try growing some of those highly pesticide-sprayed veggies in my garden (I have never grown any foods in my life so stay tuned!). If you have any tips, please email me! I would love some green-thumb-veggie-growing advice.

Here is the link to the Environmental Working Group's most recent list of highly pesticide sprayed fruits/veggies. There is a full list as well as a pocket guide to carry in your wallet. I try to buy organic of the top worst 10 fruits/veggies. Enjoy!

http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php

http://www.foodnews.org/

Have a healthy day,
Dr. Misa

Official Website (Redesign) Launch Today!

We're extremely excited to announce the official launch of the newly redesigned Meridian Wellness website! Check it out at:

www.meridianwellness.ca

If you've been to the old site in the past, you'll immediately see how the new redesign is much easier to read and use. For us, this new site will allow us to update information easily and regularly, send newsletters by email and interact with patients and our community via the new blog!

Oh, and we've also added the ability to send online Appointment requests...just hit the big blue button near the top of the screen!

A big thanks to Kagan and his team at Xodmedia for all his hard work in helping us implement the new site. You can check out his web design company at:

www.xodmedia.com

Hope you enjoy the site and let us know what you think by e-mail, this blog or the next time we see you at the office!

Drs. Keith & Misa