An Apple A Day Applesauce

Ten to one we will all be exposed to some type of illness this time of year.  The crud, an infection, a virus, the dreaded flu, colds, coughs, you name it they’re lurking.  I’m a bit wiggy about keeping clean hands after being out in public and so should you – be a bit wiggy about it!  Washing our hands in warm soapy water for a few seconds, and I don’t mean 3 seconds, after touching grocery cart handles, door knobs, the ATM machine, gym equipment, the gas pump, and countless other surfaces exposes us to numerable germs on a regular basis.  Eewwwww!  Besides keeping clean hands there are other means by which we can fight off those germs.  One way is to eat the beloved apple. Apples have surprising nutritional benefits that justify the old adage, “an apple a day…”

Apples often get overlooked as they are somewhat commonplace.  They get passed by for more exotic fruits, such as, pomegranates, dragon fruit, and asian pears.  These colorful and unusual fruits are making their way into shopping carts, causing the simple apple, fruit of the Garden of Eden, to be neglected.   My friends, I’d like to share a few healthy benefits of the lowly apple and encourage you to do what I did today – make applesauce.  I mean, eat them raw, thrown them in your salads, roast them with your pork, dip them in peanut butter, or the newer, popular Biscoff, and make applesauce too.  It’s so simple and once you’ve tried it I think you’ll be hooked and never buy the jarred applesauce at your grocery store again.

Apple benefits:
1. One medium apple packs about 4 grams of soluble fiber and has 95 calories – making a sweet snack.
2. One medium apple counts as one cup of fruit putting you well on the way to meeting your daily quota of fruit intake.
3. Eating an apple before you work out may boost your exercise endurance.
4. An apple provides a healthy dose of immune-boosting vitamin C.
5. Biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria. (you still need to brush 3 times)

This may not be news to many of you, but I simply want you to all be healthy and better able to fight off those bugs you might encounter during this cold, flu and fever season.

I’ve been out and about in public the last two evenings orchestrating and carrying out my chef events.  At Central Market, “Dessert With The Orange Bee” was a great success, I met some delightful people and I promise to share more of those recipes on the blog.  The food and wine pairing event at “Enjoy! Kitchen Frills and Gourmet Shop” enjoyed a favorable outcome, all available reservations sold out 2 days before the event.  I’ve plenty to share in the upcoming days, but for now, I’m going to eat an apple and relish my Friday.

Enjoy!

You can find my applesauce recipe here along with a cute little bee ditty.