Mastering the Art of Cleaning Produce
Last week I promised that I’d offer some various ways to effectively clean your produce.
Before preparing fruits and vegetables, wash your hands well with soap and water.
Clean counter tops, cutting boards, and utensils with hot soapy water before peeling or cutting produce.
Whether you choose organic or conventional, the simplest and often most effective method is to rinse your produce under cold running tap water. This helps remove visible dirt and reduces the amount of chemicals and germs. 
For produce with thicker skins, use a soft brush to scrub the surface as you rinse it, even if you plan to remove the peel. Bacteria from the outside of raw produce, such as lemons, avocados and melons, can be transferred to the inside when being cut or peeled.
Soaking and swirling items like broccoli or leafy greens in cold water for a few minutes can help remove any remaining dirt and residue—like tiny bugs. If you feel you need more, you can prepare a solution of vinegar and water (usually a 1:3 ratio of vinegar to water). Soak greens in the solution for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Vinegar may help to kill bacteria and remove more pesticides.
After washing, dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further minimize any bacteria that might be present.
Remove and discard the outermost leaves of cabbage or head lettuce.
Clean mushrooms with a soft brush or wipe with a wet paper towel to remove dirt.
Rinse herbs by dipping and swishing in a bowl of cool water and dry with paper towels.
Bagged produce that is pre-washed and ready to eat should not be rewashed. Your chances of contaminating it from multiple spots in your kitchen is a greater risk.
Do not wash produce with detergents or diluted bleach solutions, as these should not be ingested. Residue that may linger from commercial produce washes are not tested for safety if ingested and are not recommended. The FDA has mentioned that tap water is generally just as effective as commercial products, if not more so. 
Washing produce before storing may promote bacterial growth and speed up spoilage, so it is often recommended to wait and wash fruits and vegetables just before use.
There you have it. Now all you have to do is eat more fruits and veggies.
Much love,
Health Coach Carol
“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.”—Doug Larson