An Apple A Day

My favorite time of year is upon us! I am beyond ready for sweaters, pumpkins, cool weather, and new fall recipes.
This fall is also special for me because I will be beginning my Psychology of Eating program in October. I can't help but feel like it's back to school season. This program, in combination with me recently being diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema, has started to challenge my beliefs about food. I feel I'm starting to utilize food in a new way - in a healing and medicinal way.

As a result of this recent revelation about my body's need to heal, I have tried to implement a very basic and simplistic way to eating. It is up to each of us to tap into our own body's wisdom throughout the (sometimes literal) seasons of life. And I feel my body asking for simplicity and grounding. I am honoring my body's request by providing my body with simple foods that also re-connect me with the source of life - the Earth.
I recently purchased a juicer and have been having a blast playing around with some fun juice recipes - I can't wait to share them with you soon!
One of the main components of my juices lately have been apples. Apples are in season at the moment, and my body has been craving them. They're perfect for juicing because they balance out other veggies, such as celery, with some great sweetness. Since I'm currently loving apples, I want to share the numerous health benefits of these beauties. I think I'll probably create a new series about the benefits of some of my go-to fruits and veggies.

So without further ado, here are some of the fabulous benefits of APPLES! Apples contain malic and tartaric acids, and these contribute to keep your body's digestive system running at an optimum level. These acids keep food from fermenting in the stomach, allowing for better digestion. And the acids help the apple itself digest, but also aids in digesting other foods as well.
Speaking of digestive benefits - did you know that one apple has over 4 grams of fiber?! One great benefit of fiber, besides preventing colon cancer, is that it makes us feel fuller longer because it expands in the intestines and takes up volume.

Apples are also high in flavonoids, compounds that are thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Most flavonoids are found in the skin of the apple, so to get the most benefit be sure to keep the skin on when consuming them. These flavonoids also act as antioxidants by destroying free radicals that are destructive to genes, as well as reducing inflammation throughout the body.

​Overall, apples have numerous health benefits so eat up!
What are your favorite fruits and veggies?!