Apples: Take a Bite Out of This!

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

You don't have to be a teacher to recognize a good apple when you see one. We all know we're supposed to eat apples (cue the famous line: 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'), but what's the big deal? Are they really that good for you?

The answer is yes! I started thinking about apples yesterday because my co-worker brought a bag in from the Berkshires. Fresh, local apples remind me of fall, so I figured it was high time we talked about apples!

Though apples and America go hand in hand (hello, warm apple pie!), the apple actually traces its origin to Asia - Kazakhstan to be exact. The only apples indigenous to the United States are crab apples, and I'm pretty sure nobody's craving a crab apple pie. **SIDE NOTE: My pediatrician's office was in an office park by the name of Crab Apple, so I automatically associate crab apples with bad experiences - like poking, prodding and the occasional shot in the arm**. My point is... we should be thanking the Kazakhstanis right about now because apples are such a tasty and nutritious superfood! Apples can...

LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL - Apples contain the soluble fiber pectin, which works to lower LDL (or 'bad') cholesterol. Eating just 2 apples a day can significantly decrease your cholesterol levels.

PREVENT HEART DISEASE - The fiber in apples also works to decrease cholesterol, making you less susceptible to heart disease.

PROTECT YOU FROM CANCER - Apples are packed with flavenoids, which help protect the body from cancer. Multiple studies point to the fact that apples have the ability to decrease your risk of lung, breast, colon, prostate and liver cancers.

HELP WITH DIABETES MANAGEMENT - The pectin in apples also aids in the slow release of blood sugar into the bloodstream.

PREVENT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE - Apples have very high levels of the antioxidant quercetin, which prevents oxidative stress - one of the major causes of nerve damage in the brain.

STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES - The flavanoid phloridzin is unique to apples and has been shown to increase bone density. The boron in apples also helps to strengthen your bones.

INCREASE YOUR EXERCISE ENDURANCE - The antioxidant quercetin also helps to make oxygen more available to the lungs, making the apple a great pre-workout snack choice.

Obviously apples are pretty straight forward. Just a quick rinse and you're ready to go. But it's more fun to jazz that apple up. Here are a few recipes to get your wheels turning...

BANANA APPLE CRANBERRY MUFFINS

Image courtesy of fitsugar.com

GRILLED APPLES WITH CHEESE AND HONEY

Image courtesy of vegweb.com

KALE AND APPLE SOUP (no picture but it sounds amazing!)

The Experts Weigh In: Fill Yourself with Goodness!

Image courtesy of flickriver.com

BY: LISA ADAMS, CONTRIBUTOR

Top of the morning from South Beach, Miami!

I have several aliases. The one friends use when referring to my life (which is centered on spas, health and wellness) is 'Sunshine on Sticks'. I believe good health involves your mind, body and spirit, and I'm constantly working to achieve and keep each of those aspects in balance. I feel great physically, I try to always have a grateful and humble spirit and I move through each day with a positive attitude.

For my first post, I'd like to focus on nutrition, specifically JUICING. Since the very young age of 10 years old, I've been interested in good nutrition, supplements and exercise. Over the years, I've studied and participated in many health and nutrition programs, regimes and treatments. My company, Vitel Resources, is based on the concepts of health and wellness. For me, it's not just 'work' or a 'paycheck'. It's truly my PASSION and how I live - 'my lifestyle'.

One of the easiest and healthiest regimes I do (that has an instant impact on my body) is JUICING.  Every day, I juice fresh veggies and limited fruit, as well as make healthy green veggie smoothies. Both are loaded with goodness and pack a powerful, positive punch for your body’s systems. KAPOW!!

I'd like to share some of my juicing secrets with you!

In the morning, about 30 minutes after leaping from bed, I juice 1 cucumber (great anti-inflammatory and diuretic qualities), 1 whole lemon (a great liver detox), 1 Granny Smith apple (great for fiber and parasites), 3 thumb-size pieces of ginger root (great for metabolism and digestion). Sometimes I add a couple of stalks of celery and a small slice of pineapple (great enzyme source). Talk about yumminess. It's a zesty 'start-me-up' for the body in the morning!

Thirty minutes before my workout OR for lunch, I make a Green Veggie Smoothie, which contains... 1/2 cup cold distilled water, 2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds, 1 Tablespoon of Maca Root Powder, 1 Scoop of Zero Carb Protein (Banana Flavor), 2 big handfulls of kale leaves, a dash of kosher sea salt, 2 ice cubes. I combine this in the Vita-Mix or Blender and BOOM! My Superhero Green Smoothie!  This will POWER you through the day OR your workout!

Now I don’t want to hear any 'I can’t get my nutrients from veggies' talk. Yes, you CAN! You can get nutrients and so much more, so LOAD UP!

I'll leave you with a few tips...


When shopping at the supermarket, only shop the perimeter. Think about it. Produce is on the perimeter (and also meat and eggs, for the carnivores out there). Most everything else in the center aisles is junk - junk that is toxic to your body.

You are what you eat. Every 35 days your skin replaces itself and your body makes new cells from the food you eat. What you eat literally BECOMES YOU! You have a choice in what you're made of.

Peace and Love! 

~L.A. (aka. Sunshine on Sticks)

Lisa Adams is a spa developer, wellness enthusiast and avid juicer, living the life in sunny Miami, Florida. On her days off, you can catch her (or 'try to' catch her) as she runs 10 miles on the beach (for fun!). She loves hanging with the guys and tearing up the drum set. You might even see Lisa's name on the shelf soon, as she is set to publish two books in the near future!

Weekend Wrap-Up: Juicin' It to the Farmer's Market

I'm sure you've figured it out by now. I'm obsessed with the farmer's market. I'm not going to even try to deny it. It's cheap, it's fresh and it makes me feel 'organic' and 'earthy' (two terms my brother uses to describe me, hoping to get under my skin).

So this weekend on our way to the Grand Army Plaza farmer's market (which is basically uphill both ways in 90 degree weather and 100% humidity), we decided to check out one of the newest restaurants to pop up on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, called Brooklyn Crepe and Juice Bar. Pretty simple stuff... crepes and juices.

I've never been one to 'juice it', but I gave it a fighting chance and I have to say, my Cucumber-Apple-Mint juice was quite tasty. They juiced it right in front of me, and it was a good feeling to know EXACTLY what went into my drink. As for Adam, he tried the 'Super Green', which was a winning combination of celery, kale, cucumber, spinach, parsley, and apple. I wasn't quite sure how his combo of choice would work out for him, but I have to say it was almost better than mine! 

We slurped those juices down and arrived at the farmer's market refreshed and energized... and ready to spend some cash! We indulged in summer squash, sweet corn, fresh tomatoes, green beans, peaches, blueberries and blackberries. Check out the yummy goodness below...

...almost as good as my Granddaddy's garden.