If you want to maximize your grocery shopping budget, the Environmental Working Group's annual Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists are essential tools for figuring out when it is worth spending more for organic produce, based on the pesticide residue levels found on 48 common fruits and vegetables. This year, cherry tomatoes and summer squash join the Dirty Dozen.

Q: I saw acorn starch at my local Asian market. I'm curious to try it out but I know nothing about it. What is it and what can I do with it?

Sent by Traci

Dirt free and portable. That's how Modern Sprout describes their new hydroponic windowsill planter box. While most hydroponic setups are an unattractive display of plastic bottles, buckets, and tubes, Modern Sprout's version is pretty stylish. And because it automatically waters and feeds your plants for you, it's also perfect for black thumbs. (Not that I have that problem, of course. Ahem.)

Bitty Bite Glasses from Crate and Barrel

• $2.95
• Crate and Barrel

I am just so enamored of these little glasses from Crate and Barrel. Low, wide glasses are nice to hold and sip out of, and these are very chic. I would use them to serve appetizers, soups, and of course little bites of homemade pudding.

Watercress is a sneaky little green. Oh, sure, it looks like an innocent bunch of tender, bright green leaves, but two bites in and KAPOW! You're hit with a peppery spiciness that could rival any radish. And that is precisely why I love it.

Wire Basket from The Joinery

• $49
• The Joinery

Hanging wire baskets are super practical in the kitchen; they make storage space out of thin air, and help onions, potatoes, and fruit get plenty of ventilation. But they're not terribly stylish. This globe basket is a big improvement. Such a great little solution for the kitchen.

Have you heard that brown rice has been found to contain trace amounts of arsenic? As a brown rice lover, all of the varying reports have been a bit confusing and tough to unpack. Some news sources are saying to avoid it at all costs while others are saying it's not a serious situation. Last week, The New York Times came up with the perfect description: "the arsenic conundrum." So how serious of an issue is it, really? 

We all have one: a love affair with a common kitchen ingredient. For some, it's good cheese. For others, it's imported olive oil or fancy butter. For me, I gravitate towards flat-leaf parsley. 

Mini Walnut Bread Boards from Red Maple Run

• $64 for set of four
• Etsy

This set of boards is so pretty - I love how each has a slightly different style. I can imagine these would be good for everything from serving dessert to individual cheeses.

After visiting a za'atar farm in Lebanon and bringing home a couple bags of the tangy, herbaceous spice blend, I'm inspired to start using it more in my cooking. Luckily, I'm not the first to fall in love with this Middle Eastern spice, so it isn't hard to find tons of great recipes that use za'atar in unusual and tasty ways. From za'atar-rubbed roasted chicken to Yotam Ottolenghi's roasted butternut squash with za'atar, here are nine recipes that use this intriguing spice.

Eat your greens... and your reds, and your yellows, and your violets. That's the message of this bold and informative poster. Want a reminder of just which nutrients are in your fruits and vegetables? Hang this on your kitchen wall.