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Environmental Quote
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Greetings!
It's Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen Time (again...)
But first things first. Happy Mother's Day to every mother, mother-to-be, future mother, anyone who came from a mother on the planet, and a very special shout out to Mother Earth. Hope you will make it a great GREEN Mother's Day.
Now on with news to share, and even some I wish I didn't have to. Personal request from my very deep green heart? Please read the entire first section of the newsletter and consider passing it on to those you love because your health matters that much...
We will know that we are making true progress as a global community when the Environmental Working Group doesn't have to publish a new list every year disclosing the fruits and vegetables found to contain the highest amount of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides (aka pesticide residue.) This year, for the second year in a row, EWG had to expand the list to Dirty Dozen Plus. Comforting, right?
 According to the EWG Executive Summary, "The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ will help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and choosing the least contaminated produce." EWG also makes the appropriately strong recommendation that eating fresh fruits and vegetables is important but they encourage us to buy organic and avoid the Dirty Dozen Plus if at all possible.
Without further ado, THE DIRTY DOZEN in order of toxins: apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, hot peppers, nectarines (imported), peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and sweet bells peppers. And the award winners in the Dirty Dozen Plus category (sarcasm intended)...kale/collard greens, summer squash. Why the special category one might ask? Read on...
"Though the Environmental Protection Agency has been restricting the uses of the most toxic pesticides, they are still detected on some foods. For example, green beans were on last year's Plus list because they were often contaminated with two highly toxic organophosphates. Those pesticides are being withdrawn from agriculture. But leafy greens still show residues of organophosphates and other risky pesticides. That's why they are on the Plus list for 2013.
Tests in 2008 found that some domestically-grown summer squash - zucchini and yellow crookneck squash -- contained residues of harmful organochlorine pesticides that were phased out of agriculture in the 1970s and 1980s but that linger on some farm fields." Upsetting right?
Now on to the Clean Fifteen and ones you do not have to buy organic: asparagus, avocados, cabbage, cantaloupe, sweet corn, eggplant, grapefruit, kiwi, mangoes, mushrooms, onions, papayas, pineapples, sweet peas (frozen) and sweet potatoes.
If you want to read more, learn more, hear what a Harvard Professor and Dr. Sanjay Guptz have to say about why people should avoid pesticides and see a tour of a grocery store showing us which pesticides have the highest pesticide residue, I encourage you to visit their website.
Call to action: take time out of your very busy life to sign up for the Environmental Working Group's newsletter. You will get a FREE PDF of the Shoppers Guide to take with you when you shop the aisles in search of healthy fruits and vegetables. And another rare call to action on my part? Consider a $10 donation to support EWG's great work on our behalf.
Mrs. Green Blog Links
 I make no secret about Chapman Tucson being one of my biggest sponsors and about their amazing Going Green Team. If you are planning to buy a car any time soon, I invite you to put your car dealership through the green litmus test to see how they score. This was a fun one to write and you can see how it all started with a little green bug. Enjoy.
 Another little tidbit if you live in Tucson? Chapman Honda is hosting a Pick Your Pet Day this coming Saturday from 10 a.m. til 2:00 p.m. in partnership with Mrs. Green and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. The great news? Chapman is covering all adoption fees and providing refreshments. Read all about it. Here is my little secret. If you do stop by and tell me you read this, you will get to pick your prize - a Mrs. Green extra special reusable bag, a beautiful green heart or a Chapman Honda reusable water bottle. I hope to see some of you!
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The Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen
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Upcoming Shows
Mobilizing People for a Green America
 Alisa Gravitz - Green America
Their tagline? Growing The Green Economy for people and the planet. Their mission? To harness the economic power - the very strength of consumers, investors, businesses and the marketplace - to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Their vision? To work for a world where ALL people have enough, where ALL communities are healthy and safe and the bounty of the Earth is preserved for all generations to come. Think you are ready for this? I know I am because one of my dear friends, Molly Stranahan, has been friends with Alisa for many years and cannot say enough about Alisa's passion for making a difference. Another show I look forward to with GREAT anticipation. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
May 18
Are You a Conscious Consumer?
If you read my last newsletter, you heard lots about this small group of dedicated individuals changing the world. Their mission, their vision, their partnerships, their commitment to sustainability on a global scale are beyond words. In case you missed or forget like I do, here goes: "Hearts is a team of 10 people ON A MISSION TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY about their purchases, not just in the fashion industry but in every aspect of consumerism. The value a monetary purchase has is very powerful and can impact CHANGE ON A GLOBAL SCALE. We believe with all our hearts that when everyone is provided the facts, they will work towards CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM and make demands for other companies to do the same." They are all that and I am excited to pump up the volume on this one. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies. May 25Meet Team Healthier Generation
 Haile Thomas - Healthier GenerationAre you ready for our first 12 year old guest on our national radio show? Meet Haile Thomas. You will have to tune in to hear (and maybe even believe ) all she is about but this should whet your appetite: Haile Thomas is a dedicated and passionate 12 year old health advocate for her peers. Her mission is to engage, inspire, motivate and educate her peers about healthy eating, cooking and living. Haile serves on several advisory boards, including the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Chop Chop Magazine, and the Tucson Village Farm. She is active in her community as the co-founder of the HAPPY Organization, which is partnered with the YWCA Tucson offering cooking, nutrition, gardening and fitness programs for children. The HAPPY Organization's mission is to engage, and empower generations of healthy, active, positive, and purposeful youth. And that's just the snapshot - so much more & having national impact. Hearing is believing! It gets better - Haile serves as the Jr. Chef Consultant and Spokesperson for Hyatt Hotel's "For Kids By Kids" Menu served in all Hyatt properties in North America. Haile's other corporate and nonprofit partners include, Whole Foods, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and the Cancer Schmancer Organization. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson. June 1
Whole Foods' Declaration of Interdependence
 Patrick Bradley, President,Southern Pacific Region
Whole Foods
I just love it when a press release says it all. And this one does. Patrick Bradley has over 30 years experience within the natural foods and grocery industry, 25 of those years with Whole Foods Market. His passion for food, innovation, creativity and retail excellence have contributed to the on-going success of Whole Foods Market. His career began while working for Mrs. Gooch's Natural Foods Market which was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1993. Patrick has worked his way up the ranks, having held the Store Team Leader position at three California locations. He was promoted to Regional Vice President of Operations in December 1998 and played an integral part in designing and opening thirteen stores, as well as numerous remodels. In 2004 he was promoted to President of the Midwest Region with goals to expand the brand, unify the brand message and grow the region. Under his four year watch the region grew from 20 to 32 stores, which includes the Kingsbury flagship store. In the Fall of 2008 he accepted the position of President of the Southern Pacific Region, the largest region in the company with 41 stores, a commissary, bake house and distribution center. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.
June 8
Can We Prevent Autism?
 Jay Gordon, M.D., Preventing Autism
More than 2 million people in the United States have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and it has been reported that one in 88 children suffer from autism. What's wrong? What do parents need to know about that can be done to stop exposing their children to chemicals, fumes, and other factors that poison their brain cells? Dr. Gordon is a pediatrician who has practiced medicine in Santa Monica, CA., will offer us a step-by-step guide for reducing our toxic loads when he shares with us highlights from his new book, Preventing Autism: What You Can Do to Protect Your Children before and after Birth. I, for one, am extremely troubled by the growing number of kids with all kinds of diseases we never even talked about 20 years ago yet are so prevalent today. Please join us because to know better is to do better. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.
June 15
Meet the Grandfather of Climate Science
 Wally Broecker aka Dr. Wallace Broecker
I actually had the honor of spending time with Wally Broecker during a recent visit to Tucson. He was captivating and the group he spoke with never wanted him to stop. Check out this write up about him and put the date of this show on your calendar. Here is just a snippet: "To his colleagues, peers and admirers he is a genius and a pioneer, the Grandfather of Climate Science. And to his countless friends - most of whom also happen to be colleagues, peers and admirers - he is simply Wally. Broecker is arguably one of the world's greatest living geoscientists. For more than half a century, his major research interest has been the ocean's role in climate change. He was among the pioneers in radiocarbon and isotope dating - the quintessential processes for creating maps of the Earth's past climate fluctuations since as early as the Pleistocene period. He was also the first person ever to recognize the Ocean Conveyor Belt (which he named), arguably the most important discovery in the history of oceanography and its critical relation to climate." Think you are ready? Oh my. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
June 22
She's the Queen of Fashion Hand-Me-Overs
 Kerstin Block, President and Owner, Buffalo Exchange
Trendsetter, thought leader, early adopter and unquestionable leader in the fashion resale industry? Yes to all of them. Kerstin has successfully transformed the retail apparel marketplace by leading the resale fashion industry. To the best of my knowledge, Buffalo Exchange was the very first store that bought, sold, traded, and took clothing items and accessories on consignment. I can attest to the fact that when Buffalo Exchange opened in 1974 in Tucson, resale shopping carried a stigma. Hard to believe now. Kerstin has truly been a pioneer in reversing this trend leading the charge to Buffalo Exchange taking the country by storm. And we've only just begun. Kerstin is my friend, a person who cares deeply about the environment and who is NEVER afraid to tell you what she thinks. Lots to talk about. Please join our conversation. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.
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Mrs. Green's World
GREEN TALK RADIO Show
Please remember to tune in to Mrs. Green's World every Saturday at 12:00 pm PST, live streaming on the Internet.
Spread the Green Word!
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please pass it on to a friend using the "forward email" link below. Thank you!
Mrs. Green welcomes your comments and feedback:
[email protected]
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Michelle Gerster, President, 