how to source the best ingredients?
Since I started making smoothies, the quality of the ingredients have mattered just as much, if not more so, than the quantity or specific formulation.
Since I started making smoothies, the quality of the ingredients have mattered just as much, if not more so, than the quantity or specific formulation.
If you are drinking a green smoothie full of kale, spinach,cucumber and apple that has been sourced from a conventional farm and has not been properly washed you may end up drinking more pesticides than vitamins!
Each ingredient that I blend is sourced with integrity and stored and washed to be as clean and safe as possible. For your own at home cooking or blending, here is a simple rule of thumb to guide you through your shopping:
The Environmental Working Group’s guide “Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen” highlights the produce that is most and least likely to be contaminated by harmful chemicals, pesticides etc.
In a perfect world, we would be able to source local, organic and seasonal produce every day. However, with budget, lifestyle and availability considerations, I suggest you follow this list.
When making produce choices, be mindful when you source items on the Dirty Dozen list, invest in the organic option, and if not available try to limit in normal diet. When going to a wet market or buying conventional produce in a grocery store, consider choosing more items from the Clean Fifteen list. As you can see from the list, these items are generally thicker skin foods that can be peeled.
Organic is not always a straightforward classification. Take the next step by doing due diligence on the farm you decide to support and build a relationship with growers.
Some great resources in Shanghai are Mahota, BioFarm, Hunter Gatherer, Yimishiji, and Kate & Kimi. If you happen upon the Kate & Kimi website (www.kateandkimi.com) you can also pick up LIZZY’s smoothies and get them delivered straight to your door!
The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) is full of resources for seasonal produce, food sourcing tips and more.