Apples to Apples

It’s fall again, which means you can find me hanging out in my jeans, homemade coconut milk latte in hand while climbing up a tree to grab the top apple. Yes, that takes some skill. I have grown up in the Northeast my whole life, but I have not always been in upstate New York. I knew that autumn was a beautiful time of year and that my mom would start buying me apples for my lunch, but it was never my favorite season until I moved up north. They say that if you eat an apple a day you will keep the doctor away, and I think in upstate New York there is something to that.

Ever since moving to Albany over three years ago, I have looked forward to the autumn months, not because winter is fast approaching but because there are so many outdoor activities that include a gorgeous backdrop of color and of course nutritious food to harvest. We are in the heart of apple- and pumpkin-picking country, and if you have not taken yourself to do some picking, you are missing out. Not only is it a fun active event for you and your family and friends to partake in, you cannot get any closer to your food than climbing a tree and picking the fresh apple off right then and there. Oh yeah, and if you sneak a bite of your fresh-picked apple kissed by the sun, I won’t tell if you don’t!

What is so great about an apple that it keeps the doctor away? Well I could get all boring and break down every nutrient that is in the apple, but let’s just keep it simple: It is a real food. Have you ever seen an apple that has a nutrition facts label on it? I sure hope not, and if you do, put it back and back away as fast as possible, literally run for the hills.

Apples are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, you know the good stuff that keeps you regular? The top vitamin you ask? Vitamin C! This antioxidant is powerful and helps boost your immune system. Instead of reaching for that packet of vitamin C powder that has artificial colors, sugar galore and funky non-caking agents, grab an apple and you will help boost your immune system. This becomes especially important as the seasons change and we become more susceptible to colds, flus and all those nasty bugs floating around.

Of course, look for local pick-your-own apple farms and try to eat them in season. Seriously eat them off of the tree. The closer you eat the apple to when you pick it, the more nutrition it will have and more flavor, because after all shouldn’t food taste good? I guess that old proverb knew something about apples all along, perhaps whoever said it lived in upstate New York, too.

Apples are great to eat as are or paired with some almond butter and cinnamon, but do not stop there! Check out these simple yet delicious ways to eat your apples, and make sure you use that entire bushel you and your family worked so hard to pick, you earned it!