Someday, I want to start a small organic garden. Ages ago before we had kids, we had two tomato plants that produced an enormous amount of the most delicious tasting tomatoes. A few years ago, however, when I tried container gardening on our deck, animals would come during the night and take bites out of our green tomatoes. That was so frustrating!

Whenever we do have a garden in the future, I would like to have a compost tumbler because I’ve read about how great they are. And I definitely want to have some protection around all of the plants to keep hungry critters from ruining our produce!

Some day, I would love to have a garden again, even a small garden.  While I was growing up, my parents raised a large garden every year.  They grew so much produce that they would give some away to friends just about every week.  When my husband and I were first married, I had a small garden where the tomato vines were the best producers.  Since then, I tried doing container gardening a few years ago, but I became frustrated because many mornings I could see bites taken out of my green tomatoes while they were still on the vines.

I entertained the idea of a greenhouse, but then there’s still the problem of pests.  I’ve read a little bit about hydroponics and a tiny bit about aeroponics.  If I were to start a garden again, I might be interested in something like that.  That way, I wouldn’t be bothered by hungry animals taking bites out of my plants and pests would be greatly reduced.

Some people use growing lights for their plants.  I don’t know much about them and would have to do some research as to whether I would prefer them or not.  Right now, I’m not sure what type of garden I want.  But I do know that I want one that is safe from hungry animals and is not troubled by pests, one that is organic and easy to care for.

For those special occasions, here are some good ideas for organic gifts that are edible.  The organic gift basket is quite impressive with a good assortment of  fruit.  The “Simply Organic Fruit” comes in a nice basket that would be great to use for many other things.  Check out  The Fruit Company’s great selection of other organic fruit gifts.

Something about the fact that pesticides kill living organisms makes me wonder what effect they have on humans.  Of course, they’re not going to kill us, but logic tells me they can’t be good for us.  It only makes sense to me that they would affect us negatively in various ways.   When you read articles online, there is a considerable amount of concern about high levels of pesticides being on some of our food.

According to the Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, there are twelve produce items they call the “dirty dozen” because of the high amount of pesticides on them.  This list was based on test data from the USDA.  If at all possible, the EWG says to buy these 12 in organic form or buy in a very limited quantity from time to time.  If organic is too expensive, then choose something off the “Clean 15″ list on the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.  Here is a list of what they consider to be the twelve worst fresh produce items as far as the amount of pesticides on them:

• Celery
• Peaches (check farmer’s markets and ask if pesticides were used)
  
• Strawberries (I watch for Krogers to put organic on sale)
• Apples  (I buy organic either at Target or Brookshire’s.  The peeling is so healthy, and it defeats half the reason for eating apples if they have to be peeled because of pesticides.)
  
• Blueberries (we buy organic at Sam’s)
  
• Nectarines
• Bell Peppers  (I buy organic at Central Market or when Krogers puts them on sale)
• Spinach (we buy organic on sale either at Central Market, Krogers or Tom Thumb)
  
• Kale
• Cherries
• Potatoes (I try to buy organic at Central Market, whichever kind of organic potato is the best price)
  
• Grapes (imported)  (I don’t buy imported, only domestic)

Organic produce can be expensive, but if you watch the grocery ads then you can usually find it on sale, especially during the summer, at one of the grocery stores that carries organics.

We have been so busy, but our plans are to start a small garden using something similar to the Square Foot Gardening Method.  We hope to plant potatoes, okra, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and green beans.  So, we’ll see how that goes!

Jason’s Deli is one of my favorite places to eat. They have such fresh, healthy, and even some organic foods. I have a couple of girlfriends who have birthdays within just a few days of mine. For the past three years, we have met at Jason’s to visit and celebrate our birthdays. It’s also a time we catch up with each others lives. Another great thing about Jason’s is that you don’t have to rush. We can take our time and enjoy visiting, even if it’s for three hours!

(I was not compensated in any way for this review.  It is strictly my opinion.)

Ezekiel Bread is the main type of bread we eat at our house.  We toast it most of the time when we eat it, even for sandwiches.  And one great thing about it, besides the fact that it’s so healthy, is that it has the low glycemic seal for those of you who are concerned about that.

We buy it in the frozen bread section at Central Market or a health food store.  It’s a little pricey but worth it for the health benefits. Coupons for Ezekiel Bread can be found here if you’re like me and like to use coupons .

EcoBathroom offers organic towels for those who do not like the idea of pesticides and chemicals being in the towels they use to dry off with after taking a shower.  These organic towels are hand loomed using 100 year old looms and methods.