Caterina Morrison - Naturopath

08/10/2026

Here they are side by side so you can bring the list shopping with you. The cleanest and dirtiest pesticide residue foods for 2026

08/10/2026

Here is the official 2026 Environmental Working Group (EWG) Clean Fifteen list. These are the conventionally grown fruits and vegetables found to have the lowest levels of pesticide residues, making them perfectly safe to buy non-organic when you are shopping on a budget.

The 2026 Clean Fifteen List

1. Avocados (tied for the cleanest produce item, with fewer than 2% of samples showing any detectable pesticides)
2. Sweet Corn (also tied at the very top for lowest residue levels)
3. Pineapples
4. Papayas
5. Onions
6. Sweet Peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Cabbage
9. Cauliflower
10. Watermelon
11. Mangoes
12. Bananas
13. Carrots
14. Mushrooms
15. Kiwifruit

Key 2026 Clean Fifteen Stats

• Virtually Pesticide-Free: Nearly 60% of all Clean Fifteen samples tested had absolutely zero detectable pesticide residues.

• Minimal Contamination: Only 16% of the samples on this list showed residues of two or more pesticides.

• The "Cleanest" Winners: Avocados and sweet corn remain the ultimate budget wins, consistently dominating the top spots with virtually no chemical footprint.

Using both lists helps you prioritize your grocery bill—saving your organic budget for the Dirty Dozen items (like spinach and strawberries) and buying standard conventional produce for items like avocados and pineapples

08/10/2026

The 2026 Environmental Working Group (EWG) Dirty Dozen list highlights the 12 fruits and vegetables found to have the highest levels of pesticide residues.

The full 2026 list includes the following produce items, which experts recommend buying organic whenever possible:

1. Spinach (ranked #1 with the highest pesticide residue by weight)
2. Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens
3. Strawberries
4. Grapes
5. Nectarines
6. Blackberries
7. Potatoes
8. Pears
9. Apples
10. Cherries
11. Peaches
12. Blueberries

Key 2026 Highlights

• Leafy Greens Dominate: Leafy greens have taken over the very top of the list, with spinach and the kale/collard/mustard green family accounting for the heaviest overall pesticide loads.

• The "Forever Chemicals" Finding: A major shift in the latest report was the first-ever widespread detection of PFAS ("forever chemicals"), which were found on roughly 63% of all Dirty Dozen samples tested.

• Honourable Mentions: While they didn't quite make the top 12, the EWG specifically flagged green beans and peppers (both bell and hot) due to the high toxicity of the specific pesticides detected on them.

08/10/2026

PESTICIDE RESIDUE ON OUR FOODS:

Why is it that individuals can eat bread and pasta in Europe without any allergies or symptoms yet in the western world and Australia, things are getting out of control.

Are we becoming a testing or dumping ground for chemicals?
Why is the Australian food chain so toxic compared to Europe?

It's a disgrace and reeks of corruption and lobbying by pesticide manufacturers. In the past 30 years the number of farms has basically halved as corporatisation rolls through our food chain.
Yesterday the Australian Residue Report was released for 2026 with 201 pesticide residue detections involving 54 different pesticides.

56% of the food tested contained at least one pesticide not approved in the EU. Four samples exceeded maximum residue levels. This on the back of systemic spraying of berries and still widespread use of glyphosate for w**d control and grain crops which was not reported in this review.

And it is making our country sick. Associations have been made to bowel cancer which is up 266% in the past 30 years, kidney cancer with a reported 18% increased risk, testicular cancer and probably lowering of testosterone rates, Non- hodgkins lymphoma, Parkinsons and other neuro-degenerative conditions, thyroid dysfunction, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol are all associated with PFAS chemical exposure, liver dysfunction, reduced immune response, fertility problems.

The key findings:

Key Findings from the 2026 Report

• Residues Found: Testing of 78 samples revealed 201 individual pesticide residues from 54 different chemicals.
• "Forever Chemicals" (PFAS): 44% of the tested samples contained one or more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
• Banned or Unapproved Chemicals: 56% of samples carried at least one pesticide not approved for use in the European Union.
• Limit Breaches: Four samples exceeded the maximum residue limits set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), including a punnet of strawberries with fungicide nearly 10 times over the legal limit.
• Tested Produce: The 13 items examined included apples, avocados, bananas, blueberries, broccoli, capsicum, cucumber, grapes, lettuce, potatoes, rockmelon

I am really at a loss why as a nation we accept this? Look at the fruit and vegetable sections of our supermarkets. They look incredible. This does not happen naturally without significant chemical exposure and our supermarkets which are also corporatised, demand this level of produce from the farmers..

There has to be a better way - a public and governmental push back to force change.

Don't stop stop eating fruits, vegetables and grains but rather choose organic where you can. Vote with your money. Start growing foods in your own gardens - even if that start is in a pot.

Our outdated systems of governance are making us sick, it's making our children sick and I'm tired of seeing the cancer statistics on the rise.

This is serious - what is on your dinner plate is making such. difference to your health and that of your family. Go organic, shop local, support organic farmers and local farming communities.

FOR NOW
How to Reduce Your Exposure:

• Wash Thoroughly: Rinse all fresh produce under running water to help remove surface-level residues. (Note: systemic chemicals absorbed inside the plant tissue or systemic pesticides like imidacloprid cannot be washed off).
• Peel Produce: Peeling outer layers or skins on certain fruits and vegetables can lower surface chemical contact.
• Choose Organic: Buying certified organic produce can help minimise exposure to synthetic chemical pesticides.

VOTE WITH YOUR MONEY..........

03/10/2026

Thought for day:

By greeting everything you encounter respectfully, no matter what it is, you remind yourself that you are surrounded by other forms of life and other forms of consciousness, even subatomic materials that make up man-made objects.

29/09/2026

Another one bites the dust…

25/09/2026

NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION:
Regulating your nervous system directly affects the quality of our decisions.

A fearful, confused populace can't think very well and keeps us divided. If you perceive we are going through chaotic times, it is best to review your nervous system to build a resilient, cohesive system that works for you not against you.

When you've spent years feeling unsafe, traumatised - protecting yourself can become automatic. Overthinking, you can shutdown, close yourself off, people please or emotionally react strongly to situations as you have always done - to stay prepared for what comes next.

Healing happens when you jump into those shadows and understand yourself, non judgementally - and realise it was your body trying to protect you.

Nervous system regulation is the process of shifting your body out of a chronic stress response (sympathetic "fight-or-flight") and back into a balanced, calm state (parasympathetic "rest-and-digest").

When your nervous system is regulated, you can experience stressors without becoming overwhelmed or emotionally flooded.You can naturally regulate your nervous system by utilising the physical connection between your body and brain through several science-backed techniques.

1. Somatic and Body-Based Practices

Your body sends more signals to your brain than your brain sends to your body. Changing your physical state is often the fastest way to calm your mind:

The Physiological Sigh:
Take two quick inhalations through the nose (one deep breath, followed immediately by a sharp "top-off" inhale), then a long, slow exhale through the mouth. Doing this 2 to 3 times instantly slows your heart rate.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation:
The vagus nerve controls your parasympathetic nervous system. You can stimulate it naturally by humming, singing, or chanting, which vibrates the vocal cords near the nerve pathway.

Cold Exposure:
Splashing ice-cold water on your face or taking a 30-second cold shower triggers the "mammalian dive reflex," which rapidly lowers your heart rate and reduces physiological anxiety.

2. Environmental and Lifestyle Adjustments
Consistent daily habits create a baseline of safety for your nervous system:

NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest): Practicing 10 to 20 minutes of NSDR or Yoga Nidra allows your brain to enter a deeply restorative state without fully falling asleep.
Guided tracks are widely available on platforms like YouTube.

View Morning Sunlight:
Getting 10 to 15 minutes of natural sunlight in your eyes first thing in the morning sets your circadian rhythm and balances cortisol production.

Rhythmic Movement:
Activities like walking, shaking your body out, or dancing help release pent-up energy trapped by a stress response. Put on your favourite music and shake those hips...Ladies...we all know what this feels like...weeeeeee and you all know how to do it.

3. Understanding the States
Tracking your physiological state helps you choose the right tool to reset:

1. Nervous System State:
Sympathetic (Fight or Flight)

Common Signs: Racing heart, anxiety, irritability, muscle tension

Best Natural Regulator: Physiological sigh, cold water splash, or physical shaking.

2. Nervous System State:
Dorsal Vagal (Freeze / Shutdown)

Common Signs: Feeling numb, brain fog, fatigue, low motivation
Best Natural Regulator: Gentle movement, social connection, or warm sunlight.

3. Nervous System State:
Ventral Vagal (Safe and Social)
Common Signs: Calm, connected, creative, grounded

Best Natural Regulator: Maintain with steady routines and mindfulness.

Regulating your nervous system directly affects the quality of our decisions.

Breath, Breathe out longer to oust the adrenaline and cortisol stress hormones and
REMEMBER, You are BRILLIANT, RESILIENT and
YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!!!!

13/09/2026

It’s everyday to ask if you notice someone in need.

11/09/2026

Just taking a moment to breathe after a busy week and highly grateful for the magical, beautiful space I practice in and the beings that help facilitate the healing - highly grateful ⭐️✨⭐️🙏🏻

27/08/2026