Autumn's Healthiest Treat

Since Autumn officially began, I think it’d be a great to focus on one of its most popular fruits. I’ll focus on my favorite fall (or any season) fruit: apples. I’ll provide the nutrition content, and a fun recipe that I made up that you can try.

Apples- One of my favorite fruits, and probably the most popular and healthiest of all fruits. You know the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, apples are full of vitamins, nutrients, and great taste that you can enjoy this fall.

Nutrition Facts: (from http://www.usapple.org/consumers/dailyapple/nutrition.cfm)

Apple Nutrition Facts
-fat free;
-saturated fat free;
-sodium free;
-cholesterol free; and
-an excellent source of fiber.

What the Nutrition Facts label doesn't tell you:
-Apples are a natural source of health-promoting phytonutrients, including plant-based antioxidants.
-Apples and apple juice are two important foods contributing the mineral boron to the diet, which may promote bone health.
-Apples contain natural fruit sugars, mostly in the form of fructose.
-Because of apples' high fiber content, the fruit's natural sugars are slowly released into the blood stream, helping maintain steady blood sugar levels.

-Federally-approved health claims for apples:
-Fiber-containing fruits and cancer: Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing fruits, vegetables and grain products may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors. Apples are an excellent source of fiber.
-Fiber-containing fruits and the risk of coronary heart disease: Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables and grain products that contain certain types of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of heart disease, a disease associated with many factors. Apples are naturally fat-free, saturated fat-free, and cholesterol-free, and are an excellent source of fiber.
-Fat and cancer: Eating a healthful diet low in fat may help reduce the risk of some types of cancers. Development of cancer is associated with many factors, including what you eat. Apples are naturally fat-free.
-Saturated fat and cholesterol and heart disease: While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat may reduce the risk of this disease. Apples are naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free.
-Sodium and hypertension: Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors. Apples are naturally sodium-free.

Fun Recipe: Baked Autumn Apples

*3 medium sized apples (preferably firm)
*About 3 large tablespoons of brown sugar (or enough to sprinkle the apple slices with)
*About 3 large tablespoons of cinnamon
*Chop up some walnuts into very small pieces (minced)

-Wash and cut apples into medium-thin slices and put onto tray with foil.
-Mix in the brown sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle on top of apple slices
-Sprinkle in the chopped walnuts

In a preheated 360’ oven put in the tray with the apples for about 5-10 min, until the apples are golden brown, and the toppings are bubbly. Let cool for about 30 minutes and enjoy with ice-cream, or by itself. Baking time may vary depending on temperature of oven.

Did You Know?

*The apple tree originated in an area between the Caspian and the Black Sea.
*Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans.
*Apples are a member of the rose family.
*October is National Apple Month.
(from: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/apples/facts.html)

Go Ahead and Smile! :)

Have you ever noticed how dull and energy-less a room can be when no one is smiling? Or when you pass by someone and smile, and they don’t smile back, don’t you feel a little bit upset? Well, I believe that if more of us smiled more often, the world would be a better place. As corny as it may sound, I actually believe that it’s true. Since my blog is about love, happiness, and better health, I think smiling falls into all categories. I mean, when you smile at someone or vise versa, don’t you feel a loving or friendly vibe? When you smile, you show off happiness or a positive energy. When you are happy, you are healthy. So there, smiling falls into all three subjects. I personally hate it when I see people communicate with each other and not smile. It doesn’t have to be a fake smile (I hate that!), but when a person tries to be nice, the mood is so much better. I mean, can you imagine if no one ever smiled, and always looked mad or serious? Well, it sounds pretty terrible. Also, smiling increases you own mood, because you are giving off positive energy. Just try it for one day, and you’ll see how smiling can lift your spirits up. Here are my own personal tips to remember every time you feel sad or not in the mood:

*Remember a funny joke or anecdote.
*Think of a really funny face or character that makes you laugh (how about Jim Carey?)
*Think of fun upcoming events that you’ll be going to
*Think of that special person that you love being around so much, even if you’re not with them
*Think of something funny that someone has said or done in the past
*Just believe that if you smile, things will be better.

Now that doesn’t mean that we have to walk around with goofy fake smiles on our faces. That’s worse than not smiling! But I think that if more of us smiled daily, we would increase our own moods and the moods of those around us. After all, if laughing is the best medicine, than where does that leave a smile? ;)

“You're never fully dressed without a smile“. ~Martin Charnin

from http://www.quotegarden.com/smiles.html