There are foods that I try to buy organic whenever possible. Health foods stores and farmers markets are great resources for me to explore when I shop. However, not all foods need to be purchased on the "organic" aisle, or under the "organic" banner.

The USDA Organic marking on foods signifies that fruits and vegetables were not grown using manmade chemical pesticides, fossil fuel-or sewage based fertilizers or grown from genetically modified seeds. This is good news for those of us wondering just what exactly is in our foods, these days.

The following is a list of foods that were least likely to have detected pesticide residue on the parts you eat after washing. Most would be obvious choices due to their skin layers, or natural skin thickness. Some, like the onion don't harbor many pests anyway - does it make their eyes sting too? - so less pesticide spraying is necessary.

Onion: Look for onions that smell like an onion and not something left in the bottom of your son's sock drawer. When you get them home, just store in a cool, dry place in your frig.

Avocado: The thick skin of this fruit is a natural barrier to pesticides. Look for the ones that feel firm, not mushy, when you squeeze them and store on your window-sill to ripen. (My city-bred sister tried to "ripen" beets on her window-sill once, but that is another article for another time!)

Sweet Corn: The many husk layers will protect the kernels nicely. When buying, peel back the layers of husks and look for bright yellow corn with a sweet smell.

Watermelon: Could anything penetrate that thick skin? Look for firm, not mushy melon. I "thump" mine and listen for a hollow sound which indicates ripeness.

Sweet Potatoes: Choose those that are firm. Full of Vitamin A and beta carotene, they are known as a "super food": good for you any time of the day!