44. AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DR. AWAY

“An apple a day keeps the Dr. away!” We have heard it all our lives. Could it be true? I think we could honestly say that one apple each day helps to keep the Dr. away.

I am so fortunate to have a friend who invites me to gather all the apples I want from his two apple trees. This year both trees are full of apples that are organic and pesticide free. 

Regular apples are at the top of the list of the dirty dozen produce items, so I always buy organic apples. The reason apples are considered dirty is because they spray when they put them in storage and again during storage to keep their crispness. I would much rather deal with a worm in an apple than the insecticide.

The saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is an old Welsh proverb. It may have come from the fact that apples are one of the most cultivated and consumed fruits in the world. They have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and were brought to North America by the European colonists during the seventeenth century. They are praised as being a miracle food.

China is the number one producer of apples with the United States right behind them as the second highest producer. Hundreds of varieties of apples are grown.

Since I am a senior citizen, I am especially thrilled to know that apples help to prevent dementia. A study published in the Journal of Food Science in 2008 showed that eating apples daily may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. 

Studies have linked consumption of apples with reduced risk of certain forms of cancer, asthma, obesity and even diabetes. A prominent Cornell researcher, Rui Hai Liu, conducted studies which showed that eating an apple a day could reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Other studies have shown that eating apples reduces the risk of stroke and lowers cholesterol, which makes the apple valuable in preventing cardiovascular disease. They are also thought to help heal gout, rheumatism, liver and gall bladder troubles, and skin diseases.

A medium apple contains 95 calories and 4 grams of fiber. The apple provides 14 percent of the daily need for vitamin C, 6 percent of the potassium, 5 percent of the vitamin K and 3 percent of the manganese.

Apples are also rich in boron, an obscure trace mineral which can have a powerful influence on our prospects for osteoporosis. It is important to eat the peel because much of the food value is under the peel.

After reading all that information, I think apples could very well keep us healthier and prevent visits to the Dr. I AM GOING TO AIM FOR ONE A DAY! 

APPLE CRISP
6 c organic apples sliced thin with skin
2 T maple syrup
1/2 t coriander
1 t vanilla
Cover with water, bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and pour into a sprayed casserole dish.
Cover with topping. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

TOPPING
2 c old-fashioned oats
1/2 c whole-wheat flour
1 t vanilla
1/3 c coconut oil melted
1/3 c honey
1/2 c pecans or walnuts

APPLE PANCAKES
1 3/4 c whole-wheat flour
1 3/4 c rolled oats
2 3/4 c warm water
3 T honey
2 t active dry yeast
1 t salt
1 1/2 c chopped apples
1/4 c chopped almonds
Blend all ingredients except oats and apples. Add
oats a little at a time until mixture thickens. Pour
batter into bowl and add remaining oats and apples.
Set aside for 10 minutes to activate the yeast. Cook
on medium-high griddle. Serve with peanut butter
and sliced bananas.

VEGAN APPLE BARS
1 apple cored and chopped
1 T maple syrup
1 T olive oil
1/2 t cinnamon
2/3 c dates packed
1 c raw almonds
1 c raw walnuts
Place the chopped apple on a baking sheet and toss
with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and a pinch
of sea salt. Bake 15-20 minutes. Grind nuts to a meal
in a food processor. Add dates and pulse until a dough
is formed. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add baked apple.
Transfer to a parchment lined loaf pan and spread
evenly with a spoon. Cover and freeze. Cut into 6 or
8 bars for serving.