Stay Away Evil Doctor!

No, doctors aren't evil, but who wants to go see one? Not me! And now, we don't have to go. You've heard the old adage, An apple a day keeps the doctor away. I don't know how true that saying is, but the apple is filled with vitamins and other great things such as...

• Easy on the digestion, containing malic and tartaric acids that inhibit fermentation in the intestines
• High fiber content adds bulk that aids the digestive process, making elimination natural and comfortable
• Contain pectin, a soluble fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract
• Apples contain flavonoids, antioxidants that improve immune function and prevent heart disease and some cancers
• Green apples act as a liver and gall bladder cleanser and may aid in softening gallstones
• Because of their high water content, apples are cooling and moistening and aid in reducing fever (grate them and serve them to feverish patients)
• Steamed apples sweetened with honey are beneficial for a dry cough and may help to remove mucous from the lungs
• Hippocrates (circa 400 BCE), the Greek physician considered the father of medicine, favorite remedies were apples, dates, and barley mush
• The apple's abundant quantity of pectin is an aid in reducing high cholesterol as well as blood sugar, a wonder food for people with coronary artery disease and diabetes
• Raw apples gives the gums a healthy massage and cleans the teeth
• Unpeeled apples provide their most plentiful nutrients just under the skin. Apples are a good source of potassium, folic acid, and vitamin C
• A medium apple, approximately 5 ounces, has only 81 calories and a whopping 3.7 grams of fiber from pectin, a soluble fiber, supplies 159 mg of potassium, 3.9 mcg of folic acid, 7.9 mg of vitamin C, and 9.6 mg of calcium
• Additionally, there are trace amounts of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and zinc

The apple could almost be called the 'perfect fruit'. Well, in this post, it is the perfect fruit. Every day about 1-2 hours after breakfast and 1-2 hours before lunch, you should have a snack.

A Snicker bar is not a good snack. A Little Debbie is not a good snack. Even popcorn is not a good snack. Fruit is the perfect snack!

I choose apples. Besides what the info states above, apples are easy to carry in your purse, easy to keep on your desk or in a drawer, sold at almost every corner store (nowadays), inexpensive (a 3-5 lb bag is $4), and you can do alot to it to make it always tasty!

Normally, like at work, I'll just grab my good, ole, shiny apple out of my drawer and start munching at my desk. It's one handed, so I can still work while I eat. I carry 5 to work every Monday. At home, like on the weekends, I'll cut it up into 'fries' and snack or I'll core it and slice in half and sprinkle some cinnamon and splenda on it. Once 'sprinkled', I'll pop it in the microwave for a bit and let it get warm and a bit softer. You can spray 3-5 squirts of spray margarine on it before warming, if you must. It makes me think of the delicious cinnamon baked apples my mom used to make when I was a kid.

Now, you may not like apples. <~shudder~> So have a different fruit for a snack. Eat a small to medium banana, how about 1/2 cup berries.... any kind, grapes are great, about 12-15 of them... a small peach or pear... what about a kiwi or two... starfruit is tasty... about 3/4 - 1 cup of watermelon will help with the heat too.

Why do I care so much about this snack? Blood sugar levels, in a nutshell. A fruit snack will help keep your BS level steady and will help prevent the desire to eat a huge, unhealthy lunch.

Now don't forget to drink a big bottle/glass of water with your snack. It will help fill you up as well as helps with digestion.

Now after reading all of this, you're not motivated enough to grab an apple, please read it again. After a while, it'll get you just hungry enough to run to the grocery and grab a bag! <~sending subliminal thoughts of steaming, cinnamon, splenda apples~>