Green Living

It's Apple Season

My favorite food by far, far, far is apples. I can (and do) munch them all day. So I'm really excited that apple season is finally here!

Many people think apples are native to the United States, but not so. They actually originated in Asia Minor and were brought to America by colonists in the 1600s. The apple has made its way into most cultures, though, and has a mythological significance for many people around the world. The Greeks have the golden apples of Heracles and Atalanta, and the Norse consider apples a symbol of eternal youth (to name a few). And many Christians believe the apple was the forbidden fruit that Eve ate in the Garden of Eden, even though the Bible does not specify the type of fruit (John Milton was the first to call it an apple in Paradise Lost).

We all know, too, that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," a phrase that comes from a 19th century Welsh proverb: "Eat an apple upon going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." They're antibacterial, and contain nutrients and antioxidants to protect your skin, bones, brain, heart, liver, lungs, breasts, and colon. Apples are also full of fiber and have a low calorie density, making them a great snack for those trying to manage their weight (these days, that's all of us!).

The best way to eat apples is to go pick them yourself. Today's issue of Newsday features a listing of Long Island orchards that are open to the public. So go get outside and stock up on a delicious snack that your body will love too.