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Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts

Saturday, April 1, 2017

What’s so special about apples?




We’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day will keep the doctor away.”  I always eat apples daily, but I decided to research this and found there is some truth to this old saying.

Some other fruits have individual properties to help your health, but apples have them all.  Plus, they’re easy to pick up and eat, so if you’re in a hurry there’s no excuse not to be healthy.  Here are some of the benefits of eating apples.

They contain vitamin C, which helps our immune system.  A lot of people lack enough vitamin C.

They help to prevent heart disease.  The reason is that they contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants.

They’re low in calories with the average apple containing between 70 and 100 calories.  This is the better way to go when you’re craving candy.  Apples do contain some sugar, but only about a fourth as much as a candy bar.

They help prevent cancers.  Apples target multiple cancers, such as colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer.




Apples contain phenols, which reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.

They prevent tooth decay.  The juice in apples contains properties that can kill about 80 percent of the bacteria in your mouth.  Bacteria are what cause tooth decay.  An apple a day should also keep the dentist away.

Apples protect your brain from brain diseases.  Apples have phytonutrients and those help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Apples give you healthier lungs according to research done at the University of Nottingham.  If you eat five or more apples a week you can lower respiratory problems, even such things as asthma.

Apples taste great.  They are crunchy and delicious and come in a wide array of flavors and colors, so you can easily find a favorite among the long list.  Have I inspired some of you to run to the market and stock up on apples?

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Here’s a fruity dessert


I tell myself this isn’t that bad, even if it is cake, because I’m getting some fruit along with it.  Isn’t applesauce good for everyone?

This is easy to make and oh-so-delicious.  Enjoy.



Amish Applesauce Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
½ cup vegetable shortening
2 eggs
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
1 ½ cups applesauce
1 t. vanilla
½ cup of chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Coat a 9 X 13 inch baking pan with shortening or cooking spray

In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening with electric mixer on low speed.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time.  Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  Beat until well mixed.  Add applesauce and vanilla.  Mix well and then stir in the walnuts.  Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.

Bake 30-35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool.

For a fancier treat, drizzle with glaze that’s made by mixing ½ cup of confectioners sugar with 1-2 teaspoons of water.  I add 2-3 drops of vanilla to this also.  After you remove the cake, let cool for about 30 minutes before icing.  It should be warm, but not hot.