Environmental Working Group

The 2012 Dirty Dozen — the Environmental Working Group's annual list of the produce that contain the highest levels of pesticides — is out, and the results will have you running for the nearest organic market.

Once again apples top the list of produce with the most pesticides; the group says of all the apples it tested, 98 percent had detectable levels of pesticides. Celery was the second-most contaminated, followed by sweet bell peppers, peaches, and strawberries.

The group also added a new warning about kale, collard greens, and green beans; while it said that these didn't make the Dirty Dozen cut, many tested were contaminated with "highly toxic" insecticides called organophosphates.

Read on to see the full Dirty Dozen list and learn how to make your own produce wash!

Think you've been doing good by practicing meatless Mondays? Well, one organization thinks you could be doing more by cutting out cheese, too.

Environmental Working Group — the same people who release the annual Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists — found that, when it comes to food, cheese has among the highest of greenhouse gas emissions. The recommendation? Along with meat, cut out cheese once weekly. If everyone in the US did the same, it'd be the equivalent of driving 91 billion fewer miles each year.

As a Texan who grew up eating a hefty share of beef, it's somewhat challenging as it is, forgoing any animal protein one day a week. Do you think you could practice meatless Mondays and cut out your favorite cheese, too?

Could an apple a day mean more, not fewer, trips to the doctor's office? The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its annual Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists today, and the report shows that apples are among the most pesticide-laden fruits on the market.

According to the environmentalist group, apples — the country's most popular fruit after bananas — have the highest composite levels of pesticides of any produce. Although most of the pesticide amounts found were within guidelines that federal regulators consider OK to eat, EWG found pesticide residue in 98 percent of the country's conventionally grown apples. Also topping that list? Celery, strawberries, peaches, and blueberries. Cilantro, which was tested for the first time since the program's inception, featured at least 30 unapproved pesticides.

More reassuring is the Clean 15, EWG's list of produce with the lowest levels of pesticides. Those include skinned fruit and vegetables such as onions, corn, pineapples, avocado, and watermelon; sweet peas, kiwi, and grapefruit are also on the list. You can download both comprehensive lists on EWG's website.

I've always questioned the need to buy organic berries, but at this moment, they seem well worth the potential price. Are you concerned about pesticides in your produce? If so, what do you make sure to buy organic?

Leaving an LA gym on Saturday, Jake Gyllenhaal sported a Stand Up to Cancer hoodie over his workout attire. It's not the first time we've seen celebrities supporting the charity, but what can you do to fight cancer when it seems like risks are lurking everywhere we turn?

Today, the Environmental Working Group released its nine tips for shielding yourself from environmental cancer risks. Environmental toxins play a far more significant role than you may realize, according to a new report from the President's Cancer Panel. Luckily, you can make a few small changes to your home and lifestyle to reduce your exposure to cancer-causing toxins. For the EWG's nine tips, read more

I'm all about having a little help when I go shopping. I use my Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch pocket guide to know what fish at my market is sustainable. And since I can't afford to buy everything organic, I try to stay away from conventional produce that is high in pesticide contamination and choose their organic counterparts instead.

The Environmental Working Group came up with two lists to help shoppers know what to look for when buying produce. The "clean 15" is made up of conventional produce that's low in pesticides, and the "dirty dozen" are foods that you should always buy organic. Heidi Kennedy, who is behind the cute crafts blog My Paper Crane, turned these lists into the handy pocket guide seen here. I've already printed one out and laminated it so that I always have this guide on me whenever I might be shopping.