There Is Something To Eating An Apple a Day
Posted: Saturday, August 20, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Apple picking in New England happens about the same time that foliage season is at its viewing best. The annual trek to go “leaf peeping” and take a scenic day trip to favorite locations in the Northeast occurs mid-October. Many folks also stop at the local farm stands and load up with delicious New England apples. Most people don’t realize that apples are ripening right now – in August – and the available apples increase weekly. There’s no reason to wait over another month if your quest is to find yummy apples.
For those folks who do want to enjoy their own apple picking, call ahead to your chosen location to find out what varieties have ripened, are available for picking, confirm any activities and operating hours.
Here’s what to look for when picking and selecting your apples, whether you plan on using them for snacking or baking. Ideal apples are firm and have no bruises. Avoid any apples that appear to have holes, bruises or soft spots. Smaller apples have the most intense taste; larger apples have the most water content. If the apples will not be used soon, keep them chilled or in a cool place to slow down any further ripening of the fruit. A rule of thumb is to never store the apples at room temperature because the lovely apples lose their delightful flavor and begin to over-soften. They will last over 10 times longer in cold conditions than those kept on the counter at room temps.
Another thing to remember when storing apples is to keep them away from onions or any strong odors. Apples readily absorb smells.Agencies that study consumer trends figure that the average American consumes 19 pounds of apples annually or one apple per week. Keep in mind that dieticians recommend eating one apple, intact with skin, daily to realize the advantageous health benefits.
Experimental Biology, Washington, DC, recommends apples for cardiovascular health. Statistics garnered by them suggest that eating one apple daily gets rid of bad LDL cholesterol by 23 percent and helps maintain or better good cholesterol by 14 percent. Apples are rich in antioxidants, contain fiber that benefits the digestive tract, and reduce stroke risk, asthma, prostate cancer and Type 2 Diabetes. As with my article on tomatoes (link below), apples improve lung health, decrease risk of cancer and heart disease.
New Englanders have embraced these benefits from apples for a long time. But there is yet another perfect reason to eat them. They are tasty, completely fat free and portable. Eat one without remorse and total about 90 calories. Pretty perfect snack, wouldn’t you say?Apple recipes can readily be found in any cookbook or online. You can use most any variety but a fine choice might be Cortlands, Delicious, McIntosh, Kearsarge, Hampshires or Baldwins. Experiment and mix apples. Try different recipes. Go to the link below, search for apples, and check out the numerous New England recipes.
For a 9” pie, use 6 to 8 sliced medium apples. Use two pounds of apples to get three cups of applesauce.
Enjoy the wholesome goodness of New England apples, fresh picked and utterly delicious. Reap the many health benefits and antioxidants packed away in each compact, portable apple. Here’s a snack that is guilt-free.The Old Gray Mare writes for DressYourHorse, SearchWarp and her Blog Sites.
Also see /swa763075-It-Is-A-Vegetable-No-It-Is-A-Fruit.htm about tomato health benefits.
For recipes directly from New England see http://www.newenglandrecipes.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Delicious article. And so fundamental, along with being picturesque. Sing the song of this simple perfect fruit! Amen. Great writing.Just love your comment. It really is perfect. Tasty and not nearly as delicate as some of my other favorites, especially the great raspberry. I think if more people understood how good apples are and especially how healthy for us they are, then we'd definitely eat more of them. Pretty neat, huh, when tomatoes start to go out, apples come in. And so on. Life is good!
I know a great deal goodness apples can give to maintain body fitness. Apple cider is one with honey. There's a few ways of cooking apples and baking etc. May be we really can keep the doctor away if we eat an apple a day.
Nice photos. Good work. Gray Mare.You're so right, Hilda. Thanks for the read. Apple cider is really good - I like to heat it. I'm a hot beverage king of person so it's a natural for me to drink it hot. I've never tried it with honey and I'll bet it's delicious. And you know that almost everybody loves apple pie. Oh yummy - apple pie when it first comes out of the oven.
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