W
hen it comes to fruit in Virginia, nothing says tasty and delicious like fresh apples. From the first
bite that Eve took from an apple, to Sir Isaac Newton being hit in the head by an apple falling from a tree and formulating the laws of gravity to William Tell proclaiming, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, it is easy to see that apples hold an extremely important place in our history and our health. Be it red, green or gold, apples have a versatility that
remains a constant from our forefathers to today. The health benefits of apples were discovered long ago, which is one reason they are such a popular fruit, another reason being, they just taste good. William Tell was on to something too. This delicious fruit has been shown to lower bad cholesterol (aiding in cardiovascular disease prevention), reduce the risk of heart disease, slow the growth of colon cancer and liver cancer cells and lower the risk of thrombotic stroke; all due to antioxidant phytonutrients found in apples. Apples also contain flavonoids that appear to reduce the risk of lung cancer and improve lung function because of the antioxidants. Adding apples to your daily diet also helps strengthen bones.
Apple peels have been known to be used in herbal remedies. Raw apples are said to reduce plaque on teeth and prevent tooth decay. Eaten after meals, apples have been known to reduce acidity in the stomach and aid in preventing heartburn and indigestion. Medically, apples are also known to help de- toxify blood, aid in treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and gout. Used as a late night snack, they are said to help dull insomnia and help one sleep better. Stewed apples are even alleged to be a natural laxative and also used to help reduce fevers. For being such a small treasure, an apple packs a lot of punch. They are relatively low in calories, high in fiber and contain niacin, potassium, iron and phosphorous magnesium, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Talk about healthy. An apple is basically its own little health food store. Items made with alpaca fleece are widespread. There are finger puppets, toys and the softest possible stuffed animals for children, as well as socks, sweaters and jackets for all to enjoy. There are blankets, hats and scarves to keep you comfy too. Any garment made from alpaca is sure to be a treasure or become a family heirloom to be passed down to the next generation.
Virginia Apples
In Virginia, there is an apple for every reason and every season. Virginia is a very prominent grower, producing an average of 5 to 6 million bushels of apples each year on over 160,000 acres of land. Rich apple country in Virginia includes the mountainous regions of the Shenandoah Valley throughout the Roanoke Valley and counties of Rappahannock, Patrick, Albermarle and Carroll. Over one half of Virginia grown apples are sold for processing and in turn made into products such as apple juice, applesauce, apple butter and cider. The Virginia apple industry contributes approximately $235 million to the state’s economy each year.
The House & Home Magazine 59
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