Common Foods with Highest Pesticide Contamination

I found this interesting article from the hip folks at onlinegardentips.com. (Don't everybody visit their website?).  If you ever wonder what the fuss about organic gardening, this story might give you the push necessary to pay a little more for the pesticide- free version of your favorite fruits and veggies. 

Note: Experts say put this sort of story in context - It's better to eat commercially raised fruit and vegetables (with the pesticide) than not eat these nutritious foods at all.  However, if you have a choice between non-organic and organic crops choose organic particularly for the very commonly used foods below.  Bon appetit!

The Environmental Working Group has formed a list of foods with the highest levels of pesticides. In fact, these foods are fruits and vegetables that we consume practically everyday. Here is a list of top 12 foods that have the highest levels of pesticide contamination:


12 foods that have the highest levels of pesticide contamination:
•Apples
•Peaches
•Sweet bell peppers
•Celery
•Nectarines
•Strawberries
•Cherries
•Pears
•Imported grapes
•Spinach
•Lettuce
•Potatoes
Usually any pesticide is tested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and only then is it approved for use. Here the EPA checks a pesticide for the maximum amount a pesticide can stay in or on any fruit or vegetable. And any pesticide not conforming to the maximum limit cannot be marketed. However, it is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that has the responsibility to check the levels of pesticides in and on fruits and vegetables.
According to the Environmental Working Group, the FDA does not test most of the fruits and vegetables that are marketed in the US and that is why many Americans end up consuming pesticides and insecticides that are present on and in these foods and are not on the approved-to-use list.

BBQ in America - The Best in Houston, Texas

The super computers have tallied the votes and the numbers have been crunched.  Winners have all successfully navigated the rules of the contest and now here are the winners.  As any in prestigious global competition respect must be given to those who compete and not just the winners.  So over the next several posts we will honor first the gold medal winners, followed by silver and bronze awards.

As Henry Ford once said, "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." As you will see, these 6 institutions have been doing it expertly for quite some time.

Global Seeker Gold Medal Winners

Goode Company Texas BBQ - multiple locations including 5109 Kirby Drive (713-522-2530)  West University area and 8911 Katy Freeway (713-464-1901.  Goode has been serving up plates of mesquite flavored goodness (sorry for the pun) for more than 30 years.  Open daily 11 am to 10 pm.  They serve the classics in pork ribs, beef brisket and chicken.   They also have an unusually large variety of smoked sausages and duck.  Legend has it that in the early days the family slept at the restaurant and guarded the smoking meats overnight with a shotgun.  I'm not sure if that says more about ole Jim Goode or the Neighborhood.  Wonderful Texas institution.

Burn's BBQ - 8307 De Priest (281-445-7574).  Open Wed - Friday 10 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.  Burn's is another establishment that is not new to the bbq-biz.  Warning, unlike say Goode, Burns is more suitable for take-out and chow down some place else.  However, where ever you enjoy their post oak (Central Texas favorite) smoked ribs, brisket, etc. you will feel right at home.  If you had to choose make it the brisket or pork ribs.  Warning: Their links are very spicy.  Also, notice the rather limited hours of operation.  Burn's operates on the time honored tradition of NO leftovers.  They sell everything, until of course, they run out.  So come early if at all possible.

Hickory Hollow BBQ- 101 Heights Blvd (713-869-6300) in the Heights and other locations including Fallbrook and Magnolia. Open 11 am to 8 or 9 pm depending on the night.  Hickory Hollow is definitely a place one can sit down enjoy a great smoked meal of all the classics and on weekends perhaps hear a little live music.  While we want hold this against them, just in case you have distant cousins from Mississippi, they also offer catfish and chicken fried steaks.  But you know what they say?  Why go to a Global Seeker Gold Medal BBQ winner and eat chicken fried steaks?  The insightful logic is breathtaking.

Pappa's BBQ - multiple locations including 1217 Pierce (713-659-1245) downtown and 8777 South Main (713-432-1107) Medical Center.  Open practically all day, every day.  No problem.  Upscale locations for serving food that is so eloquently simple.  The have delicious, large portions which happens to be one of the trademarks of this famous family's bbq offering.  Their beef ribs, while not a Texas tradition, is building quite a reputation among the not-born here crowd.  But for the rest of you, don't pass on the pork ribs which are slap-your-best-buddy good.  Warning: Avoid lunch time when the crowds and lines can be unnerving for the hungry or the those with a limited lunch schedule.

Swinging Door 3818 FM 359 (281-342-4758) in Richmond.  Open 11am to 9 or 10pm every day.  The SD was a controversial pick.  Yes, it serves delicious ribs, sausage and brisket all expertly smoked in pecan wood (an East Texas favorite).   But oh my gosh it also has raisins in their cole slaw! Oddly, they have a menu item that is nonchalantly called the "Super". A more appropriate name should be the "Widow Maker" consisting of 3 meats and 3 veggies for about $15.95.

Luling City Market - 4726 Richmond Ave (713-871-1903) in Galleria area. LCM calls themselves the place for "real Texas bar-b-que".  Who's to argue?  Luling serves ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey and sausage that is epic in taste.  LCM proudly smokes their meats over post oak wood and makes their sausage by hand on the premises.  Note: They favor the more southern mustard based sauce which is more tangy than the traditional tomato based Texas bbq sauce.

So, there you are: In a land of so many options, these folks in Houston area have distinguished themselves above all else. 

A special thanks to Texas Monthly magazine, Houston Chronicle, ABC News, Gayot food critics, Houston Top Ten and our dedicated Global Seekers staff whose input, opinion and feedback contributed to this ambitious endeavor.

BBQ in America - The Rules

BBQ is a uniquely American cuisine.  What makes this country embrace the very essence of this culinary experience is that it's popularity is based largely on your hometown-backyard cooks.  You will not find it on many 4-star restaurant menus or featured by international culinary award winners.  But you will find it in every hamlet, town, neighborhood in America.  Every cook who has fired up the magic smoke has his (and yes her) own secret ingredients for rub, sauce and cooking for success.  Much like the American spirit - it can't easily be defined, categorized or "owned" by any one organization, area or ideology.

Now that you're teary eyed and feeling so Patriotic for owning multiple BBQ grills, let's bring a little sanity to this chaos.  While it's true that the real BBQ hero is the backyard boss who cooks for the family or bowling team, they are NOT the focus of this soon to be award winning expose.  Fortunately, many of those cooks took their skills and passion from the backyard to open a local restaurant.  They successfully figured out how to apply those same wonderful techniques to an entire cow rather than just a side of brisket.  To you we bow our heads in humble appreciation of your craft.

For every competition their must be rules.  After all this is not FIFA officiating.  We want to judge fairly and openly.  So to appear in this series of BBQ in America posts you will be judged by the following:

1. BBQ only - no, not grilling, baking or sauteing.  We're talking indirect heat, flavored smoke and patience.
2. Red Meat only - while we appreciate the fact that fish, seafood, vegetables, desserts and other non-carnivorous items can be flavor-enhanced over the grill, it doesn't matter and will not be included in the judging.  We're talking pork spareribs, brisket and pork shoulder/butt as the major areas of focus; however, beef steak, chicken, turkey, sausage and various wild game will definitely be considered.
3. Sold in commercial quantities - So BBQ contests, carnival cook offs, Uncle Fred's picnic, etc. will not be considered unless of course Uncle Fred wants to slip the panel of judges a few racks of ribs for "special consideration".
4. Deducts for weird "special ingredients" like chocolate, peanut butter, MSG and other Frankenstein concoctions that your average neighborhood cook would not consider feeding their families.
5. Bonus points for great sides like pinto beans, potato salad, corn, etc. More pluses for great BBQ sauce.  I prefer the spicy but sweet is acceptable.

What that said: LET THE JUDGING BEGIN!

BBQ in America - Coming Soon

Coming soon to this site will be the most ambitious documentation of BBQ ever attempted by ..... this blogger.  If you're looking for recipes try elsewhere.  If you're looking for techniques and tips send them to me.  The focus of this journey through deliciousness will be to find the Picasso's of the BBQ world ... starting close to home and ultimately branching out across this great land to where ever the blue smoke and purifying flames majestically transforms beef and pork into a memorable dining experience.  Our correspondents are working hard submitting their recommendations for the initial posting.  This is going to be good.

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Upon Further Review of Fast Food Breakfast Choices

On a previous post, I discussed the virtues of the new breakfast offerings at Subway.  In the post, I was less than flattering as to the nutritional values of other fast food breakfast choices.  In the interest of fairness, in a one week period not long along I revisited the also rans to confirm or modify my earlier comments.  This time using scientific protocols only the CDC and National Science Foundation could fully appreciate.  In short, I ate them all.

First, let's review the Subway choice ... the English muffin, with egg whites, American cheese and Black Forest ham.  It was filling, tasty (helped a lot by the cheese) and nutritionally fantastic.  Here's the numbers:

Calories: 160, Total Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 680mg and Carbs 18g.

Now, at the same early morning time, in the same area I visited Whataburger for their bacon and egg taquito.  Note: The sausage offering anywhere will greatly compromise any nutritional merits with it's high fat (total and saturated) and calories.  I excluded the cheese unlike Subway because let's face it with real eggs it's not necessary and just adds bad stuff.  The offering was hot, tasty and filling.  Admittedly, it was richer than Subway's as I ate it; but minutes afterwards, the effects were the same as Subway .... I was full and satisfied.  Here's the numbers:

Calories: 380, Total Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 344mg, Sodium: 932mg and Carbs 27g.
Twice the calories, 5 times the fat, 30 times the cholesterol, etc.  You get the picture.

Finally, I visited in the same area at the same predawn time McDonald's and ordered their bacon and egg biscuit without cheese.  It was less fluffy than the taquito.  It was as dry as the Subway english muffin and in general was a less enjoyable experience.  It should be noted that their Premium Roast coffee was better than Subway's Seattle's Best or Whataburger's no name offerings.  So if you just need coffee, go to McDonald's.  Here's the numbers:
Calories: 310, Total Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 210mg, Sodium: 700mg and Carbs 34g.
Again, the nutritional values were comparable to Whataburger but a far cry from Subway.

I failed to visit Burger King primarily because I find the best thing about their breakfast is the free wi-fi.  I found the pursuit of science an insufficient reason for going through that experience again.  However, their bacon and egg biscuit is very similar to McDonald's.  It's reduced cholesterol is balanced by a lot more sodium.

So I feel that science has confirmed my earlier post.  If you're watching your diet and need something quick on your stomach in the morning, drop by Subway.