Lately, my household diet has changed drastically to an all-organic, locally grown veggies and fruits. We rarely consume red meat these days and approximately twice a month, we’ll get a whole free-range kampung chicken to slow-cook some herbal soup. The reason is because the more I read and researched about organic farming methods versus the commercially non-organic farming methods, the more I’m worried about the health consequences of eating fruits and veggies that are contaminated with high level of toxic pesticide residues.

Following is a list of the most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables in the order of importance, researched and compiled by The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit consumer organization based in the States. There are many people who are reluctant to switch to an all-organic food diet because of the higher price tag in most organic produce, although sometimes you’ll be surprised to find that non-organic produce are more expensive or at a similar price range. If you want to go partially organic, the list below helps you determine which fruits and veggies are best to go organic and which you can go without.

The Dirty Dozen – Twelve Most Contaminated (Buy These Organic)
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear

The Clean Fifteen – Lowest in Pesticides
1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Download a comprehensive Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides here.

Happy New Year to everyone!

What better way to brighten up your friend’s day at the start of the year than with a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers and gerberas a.k.a The Cheerleaders!

This fresh yellow mix of these ‘ooh-so-lovely’ flowers is perfect for any cheery occasion, from the ‘just because’ moments, birthdays or graduations, to wishing someone you care a speedy recovery!

To celebrate the beginning of 2009, we’re offering “The Cheerleaders Bouquet” for just RM139 with free shipping. There are two designs for you to choose from i.e. the Vase Bouquet or the Hand Bouquet Collection.

The picture shown here is a hand-tied bouquet set for delivery to the lucky recipient. To those of you who choose the Hand-tied Bouquet, please refer to my floral care tips for the necessary steps in handling your bouquet to ensure that the blooms last longer.

To order this bouquet, just send me an email at ammie@lefiores.com. Don’t forget to mention “The Cheerleaders”.

Terms and Conditions:
1. Offer valid until 15 January 2009.
2. Offer valid for delivery within Klang Valley and Melaka town only.
3. All orders must be received two days before the intended delivery date via email.
4. Quantities of flowers in The Cheerleaders Bouquet: Sunflowers (3-5 stalks), Gerberas (8-10 stalks).
5. LeFiores reserves the right to substitute any floral and packaging materials of equal or higher value while preserving the style, theme, and color scheme of your order.

Also, please refer to our policy before placing your order

Am please to introduce the LeFiores Designer Cards. These cards are hand-painted by our designers. The idea is to reduce paper wastage by not pre-printing too many cards which might get “discarded” once they are out of fashion.

The watercolor design above is painted on high quality 200 GSM acid-free watercolor paper. However, these cards are only available at selected delivery area due to geographical limitations. Please contact Ammie for further details, if you’re interested!

• A birthday greeting from your angel, Happy Birthday!
• May your day be filled with joy and wonder, Happy Birthday!
• Happy Birthday with all my love!
• A very happy birthday to you!
• To my special someone on her birthday, Happy Birthday!
• Happy Birthday! Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!
• May all your dreams come true today.
• A bouquet for my cupcake, Happy Birthday!
• May your day be filled with gifts of love. Happy Birthday!
• Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
• May your years bring you sweet, tranquil moments like these. Happy Birthday!
• Happy Birthday! Wishing you a year filled with lively adventure!
• You may be another year older, but you sure haven’t lost your… SPARK! Happy Birthday!
• Love is like a birthday present; always full of happiness and surprises. Your love is a wonderful gift! Happy Birthday My Dear!
• Bet the angels are smiling as they remember the day you were born! Happy Birthday!
• Sweetheart, May your day be as special as you are! Happy Birthday!
• I’ll make sure you don’t overdo the drinking today… Happy Birthday!
• May your birthday bring much joy and unlimited happiness.
• Surprise… Surprise! Happy birthday!
• To the one I love on this special day! Happy Birthday!
• Hope your birthday’s a special treat! Just like you!
• Wishing you a beautiful day! Happy Birthday!
• A Birthday Message-Hope that your special day will bring you lots of happiness. Really hoping that this will be your happiest Birthday ever!

Can’t think of anything to write on the card for your loved ones? Don’t worry. Here is a list of greetings for you. Just select the one that expresses your feelings the most!

• A bouquet that bears my love!
• I find you irresistible!!
• Loving you just gets easier!
• Within your love, I bloom!
• Loving you always.
• My heart belongs to you.
• You fulfill me completely.
• You hold the key to my heart.
• My love is always reserved for you
• To my ever loving; I am yours forever.
• Love is… a beautiful bouquet given for no apparent reason.
• You are my fondest wish and my brightest dream. Be mine.
• How grateful I am having you as my partner.
• May our life together always feel enchanted.
• I have just three words for you today: I Love You.
• If love is war, then by all means… Conquer ME!
• These flowers are a small token of my love for you.
• One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life… that word is love.
• You’re like candy: sweet, delectable, and oh so satisfying!
• Morning, noon & night time too… I spend the hours missing you.
• Happiness is falling asleep next to you and waking up thinking I’m still in my dreams.
• My favorite place to be is inside of your hugs where it is warm & loving.
• For you, my heart is open 24-7, always!
• Every moment spent with you are filled with beauty…
• Words alone will never be able to express the depth of my love for you…
• No earthly beauty can compare to you.
• I love you for all the smiles you give me!
• You are the love within my heart that I cannot live without.
• Love is blind, but with you I can see, so lead me with your love, because you are the one I adore.
• A man’s love cannot be satisfied by beauty alone; you’re more than beautiful, and that’s why I love you.
• Every day, I live a life of enchantment – a fairy tale come true, a complete fulfillment of romance, from the love I get from you.
• Your beauty is like the rare white rose that blooms amongst the red ones; a wonder to behold, an impossibility to forget.
• I’ll bring you the sunshine to comfort your tear; I’ll gather up rainbows and chase all your fears. As long as forever my love will be true, For as long as I live… I’ll love only you.
• Sometimes I forget to let you know or show you just how much I appreciate you, but I hope you never think for a moment that I don’t. I love you with all my heart.
• Just knowing love means so much to me. I feel the joy whenever you’re around me with your smile, thoughts, honesty and care.