Mmmmm Mmmm Apples!

Fall is a beautiful time of the year – one of my favorite {although I’m not a fan of the cold weather it brings after!}.

I love the colors, the smells, the crunchy sound the leaves make, and the excitement my kids get when they realize they can jump into that huge pile of leaves on our lawn!

One of my favorite fall foods is the apple.  We took our family out apple-picking this weekend.  The kids loved it, and we came home with lots of apples to eat, bake, and cook with.

Crunchy, sweet, delicious AND good for you!  In addition to keeping the doctor away, here are a few of the top reasons to eat an apple each day:

  1. Weight Loss High in fibre, and low in calories, apples are a perfect addition to any weight loss plan.  A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.  While I wouldn’t suggest eating 3 apples every day – I’m more of a moderation type girl – I DO agree that apples are tops for weight loss!
  2. Breast Cancer PreventionA Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent. I know we aren’t rats, but it can’t hurt to eat an apple!
  3. Lower CholesterolThe pectin in apples lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent!
  4. They protect your bones!French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones. Win/win!
  5. Protect that beautiful smile! An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.
  6. Boost your immune system Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when you’re stressed out.

To celebrate the apple this week, here is a yummy apple crisp recipe just for you!  Some friends of ours were sweet enough to pick 2 big bags of apples for us a couple of weeks ago.  We had them over and made this recipe to say thank you – Enjoy!

Yummy Apple Crisp

Ingredients

  • 10 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced
  • ½ to ¾ cup agave nectar
  • 1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ – 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup agave nectar
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ – ½ cup butter, melted

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).
  2. Place the sliced apples in a 9×13 inch pan. Mix the agave nectar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.
  3. Combine the oats, ½ cup agave, baking powder, baking soda, whole wheat flour, and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes.
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Marie

Most Women don't realize the symptoms they experience relate to their hormones. I teach Women how to feel better!

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