We have all heard about how eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It goes with my belief that eating nutritious foods will make you healthier. The apple season is upon us and we can get a good variety at our local farmers market.
Studies show eating apples may lower your risk of heart disease, fight against cancer,
support weight loss, improve bone health and promote brain function. Try leaving the skins
on the apples, which will provide you with even more health benefits. The skin has a high concentration of antioxidants and polyphenols.
When I was a little girl, my grandma Arizona Henry would take us to the orchard so we could pick our own apples. I would start by flinging a few rotten ones at my sister, until I got “that look” from my grandma: the eye with raised brow that always let me know it was time to behave. I have included my grandmother’s favorite apple recipe.
Apple Crisp
10-15 fresh apples
¼ cup sugar or Splenda
1 tsp tapioca
- Mix all ingredients.
- Place in greased 9×13 baking dish.
Crumble Mixture
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
½ cup real melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
- Mix all ingredients until crumbly.
- Top crumbly mixture onto apples already in dish.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
Let’s get back to a time where we gave apples to our teachers and to our kids as little health tokens. Apples will always give us the kind of energy that will go a long way in keeping that doctor away.
Stacy Schultz is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, a former Morgan County Commissioner and is the author of “It’s Stacy’s Grandma ‘Zone’s recipes.” She has been in healthcare for 35 years at War Memorial Hospital.
