Celebrate National Apple Week

Mmm… apples. Remember that scene where Matt Damon gets Minnie Driver’s phone number in Good Will Hunting and he’s all like, “Do you like apples? Well I got her number—how ya like them apples!” Good scene. Not necessarily a great reason to like apples, though.

Here’s a better one: the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is around for a good reason. Apples are super low in calories—only 81 per juicy piece—and full of stuff to help give you superpowers. OK, maybe not superpowers, but cancer prevention, bone protection and low cholesterol come pretty close.

Apples are also known to help people with asthma, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as people trying to lose weight. Known as heart-healthy foods, they are also good sources of fiber and vitamin C.

Since this is National Apple Week, why not celebrate? Use apple-scented shampoo, wear clothes with apples on them (Beatles merchandise works well for this), and teach your young’ns about Johnny Appleseed.

Of course, you could always just eat an apple. Here are some ways to enjoy these tasty treats:

• Add some fruity zing to your salad with some chopped or sliced apples and walnuts
• Toss some sliced apples, cheese and wine in a picnic basket for a romantic rendezvous with a loved one (Of course, you could always use sparkling cider and have a fun “date” with your kids as well!)
• Bake an apple pie—or buy one and re-heat it
• Make candied apples with your kids by dipping them into Carmel and sprinkles, nuts, cookie pieces or whatever toppings you enjoy
• Make a scrumptious French apple tart
• Slice up an apple and spread on peanut butter, then sprinkle with raisins for a healthy snack
• Try a delicious low-calorie HungryGirl recipe like apple-cherry pie pockets, apple slaw and apple muffins
• Make your apple your main dish, such as turnip and apple soup
• Cut up your apples into thin slices (think steak fries) and toss them in the oven for some fresh apple “fries”
• Eat it raw, or slice it and drizzle with salt, honey or cinnamon

Also, did you know you can prevent a cut apple from browning by sprinkling it with lemon juice? I wish I had known that when I had made fruit salad for our fifth grade picnic. Boy were those brown apple slices an eyesore.