[derbOac]

If you rinse vegetables well most pesticide residue will be removed. Also, some vegetables that are peeled remove that exposure route as well.

There are studies showing some kinds of organic products are worth buying because of the reasons you mention, but others are not.

I think the more you can buy food that you trust the better. This doesn't mean growing your own, it means learning more about where your food is coming from and the chain of producing and selling it. It may mean going to smaller shops, more trips, farmers markets etc. It may just mean reading about brands etc.

I think many people are wrestling with similar questions as you; you're not alone.

Using saturated or monounsaturated fats or oils are your best bets for sauteing. You can also braise things, in some kind of liquid.