Aphids

Aphids - Also known as plant lice.

I like to buy mostly organic produce. I am not particularly fond of the idea of putting any chemical in my body. Especially if it happens to be raw. My fear of ingesting chemicals is slightly higher than swallowing little bugs. Recently that has always been my thought process . . . . until the other day.

I had bought some organic broccoli for lunch and someone had mentioned the term Aphids. I responded nonchalantly, "Oh, well, I'd rather eat bugs than chemicals." I packed my lunch of carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli in a Tupperware container and headed out for the day.

As I ate through my vegetables during lunch I thought about the conversation I had had earlier and I couldn't help but dig through the tendrils of the broccoli. To my amazement I found a little bug buried deep in the lush forest it had called a home. I dug deeper and more thoroughly and to my wandering eyes I found more. And more. And more. Disgusted, I threw away the piece I had and lifted most of the broccoli out of the container and found more bugs atop the cucumbers. I sat there motionless and stunned as they lay on the light green canvas of sliced cucumber.

Now I don't give up, and I want to eat broccoli. The next day I made sure to rinse the broccoli more thoroughly with a more powerful and steady stream of water. I even let the broccoli strain awhile in the hopes the lingering aphids would drop through into the sink.

Unfortunately, it happened again. Not as many, but still there nonetheless. Since then, I hesitate to buy organic broccoli, or any for that matter. But if I do, I cook it, steam it, saute it. Anything to kill the aphids.