Apples, Apples

We are having a great apple harvest this year so they seem a perfect topic for a blog.

Facts: an apple has about 60-95 calories depending on size, no fat, and 25 gram of carbohydrate (4.4 g of which are fiber!). Applies also contain potassium vitamin C, vitamin B-6, magnesium as well as some vitamin A, calcium and protein.

Apples are rich in polyphenols (flavonoids) that help regulate blood sugar and are also antioxidants. Apples also contain malic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, is used for exfoliating the skin. Which means a facial mask of applesauce would be awesome. Someday I’ll learn how to extract the malic acid from apples so that I can use it in a skin care product.

Research indicates that ingesting apples decreases the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer. The benefits of apples seem to have a special affinity for the lungs because they have been found to decrease the risk of asthma too.  But apple consumption can also lower your risk for heart disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. 

On our farm we grow Honeycrisp, Akane, Golden Delicious and Gala apples all of which are delicious. Since we do not use any pesticides on our apples we get some wormy apples. These go to the goats and horses or into the compost pile where they provide needed moisture.

John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, had a dream to plant apples across the country so that no one would go hungry. When I see apple trees growing wild I always wonder if it was one that he planted. Maybe you’ll consider planting an apple tree in your yard.

Do you  remember this favorite song from childhood:

Oh, the Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need:
The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed;
The Lord is good to me.