Tips for Going Organic

Organic beef comes from livestock that eats an organic diet, and in June, new FDA regulations will mandate that they spend at least 30 percent of their lives grazing on pasture grasses.

That's important, because studies show grass-fed meat has 60 percent more omega-3s, 200 percent more vitamin E, and 2 to 3 times as much of a cancer-fighting fat called CLA that might even help you lose weight.

Studies show that organic milk has 50 percent more vitamin E, 75 percent more beta-carotene, and 70 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than regular.

Organic milk is also free of commonly used growth hormones, which increases infertility in cows and has been linked to prostate and breast cancers in humans.

Organic chickens, like cows, spend a portion of their life grazing. That means that, along with their organic feed, they have access to the chicken's food of choice, which is a cocktail of worms and grubs. And when animals eat their favorite foods, humans benefit.

According to estimates by the Environmental Working Group--the agency that developed the "Dirty Dozen" list, you can reduce your pesticide exposure by 80 percent simply by choosing organic versions of these 12 fruits and vegetables: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots and pears.

These 15 fruits and vegetables were the lowest in pesticides, so it's not as important to buy organic versions: onions, avocadoes, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwis, cabbage, eggplants, papayas, watermelon, broccoli, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

Men's Health Magazine suggests Amy's Roasted Vegetable Tamale. They're not always 100 percent organic, but Amy's makes an effort to keep it as close as possible. The tamales contain organic tomatoes, which have 97 percent more of a class of antioxidants called flavanoids than conventional tomatoes.

A favorite of Men's Health Magazine is Samuel Smith Organic Ale. It's a full-bodied British brew made with organic barley, hops, and yeast.

Studies show that a beer or two a day can actually help reduce your blood pressure. And dark beers like ales contain higher levels of antioxidants than lagers.

When it comes to hormones and weight gain, new research has shown that some agricultural chemicals could actually be making you fat by interfering with your hormone levels.