Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

Melissa Wiliams, Freelance Writer | Co-Owner, Yoga Junction

1. Use plastic bags or your own bags (see below, however) around your fruits and vegetables. We just mentioned the dirtiness of the cart handles, the cart itself is also teeming with bacteria; and the checkout counter belt can also be harboring more. Surround your produce with something clean.

2. Don’t sample. This is a tough one, but unless you’re very familiar with a store’s practices, you don’t know who has been handling the food, when it was set out, and how many other hands have been touching it. If its cheese you’re curious about, ask at the deli counter for a fresh cut sample.

3. Clean your own bags. Using bags is great, but if you don’t wash them you’re just carrying bacteria around with you.

4. Keep track of sell-by or expiration dates. Often times the freshest items are in the back. Dig around.

5. Wash up. After you’re done with your shopping trip, wash your hands or at least use a hand sanitizer. Before you sip your latte from the store or indulge in the fresh bakery cookie, be sure you’re not taking anything else with you unwillingly!

Latest posts by Healing Lifestyles & Spas Team (see all)