TWO APPLES A DAY KEEP THE DOCTOR AWAY

 from Linda Lee Greene

Raw,stewed, or sauced apples are rich in soluble fiber and act as a prebiotic, whichfeeds and multiplies the beneficial bacteria in the gut, thereby reducinginflammation.Inflammation is the mainculprit in gut ailments such as IBS, IBD, bloating, painand constipation. Apple consumption also increases the absorption ofminerals like calcium, increases immune system tolerance, helps controlappetite and balances blood sugar and cholesterol. 

Apples containpolyphenols (micronutrients) found in plants, fruit, vegetables, tea, coffeeand wine. It’s a good idea to eatthe skins and core (remove seeds and their hard casings) of raw and cooked apples,because the skins and core contain more polyphenols, dietary fiber and minerals than the fleshy part of the fruit. One appletypically has about 100 million bacteria cells, and if you don't eat the core,you only get about 10 million bacteria cells. One study showed that organicapples had better bacteria than conventional apples, and eating two apples aday instead of only one is better at keeping the doctor away. 

Anyoneeducated about the harm that man-refined sugar reaps on the human bodyrecognizes the truth behind William Dufty’s assertion that it is a “‘humanpesticide,’ ‘white poison,’…and is more lethal than opium and more dangerousthan atomic fallout.”  My applesauce recipe contains no sugar orsweetener of any kind, and the finished product is delightfully sweet all onits own.

HOMEMADE SUGAR-FREE APPLESAUCE

16 unpeeled, whole and baked apples (preferably organic),chilled in fridge or thawed from freezer1½ tbsp. lemon juice or apple cider vinegar(more or less to taste)3 drops of a lemon essential oil2 tbsp. vanilla extractA few dashes each of ground cinnamon and ginger¾ cup water (preferably filtered)¼ tsp. salt4 tbsp. salted butter (it gives a yummy, creamyconsistency to the applesauce)4 oz. natural cranberry juice
Cut whole unpeeled bakedapples with cores intact into quarters. Remove the seeds and seed casings. Placein Crock Pot or equivalent appliance with water, lemon juice, or vinegar, lemon essential oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, butter,cranberry juice, and salt. The acid in the lemon juice or vinegar and lemon essentialoil brightens the flavor and balances the natural sweetness of the apples.

Cook on high until mixture is mushy (about an hour).

Puree the cooked apples with a potato masher or handmixer or standing blender. (If using a standing blender, do only half the batchat a time, and do not fill the blender bowl more than halfway).

If the finished applesauce is not sweet enough, add steviasugar substitute to taste. If too sweet, add more lemon juice or vinegar orlemon essential oil. However, if this recipe is followed faithfully, the levelof sweetness should be just right.

This applesauce is delicious either warm or chilled. Itpairs well with pork or other savory dishes. It’s wonderful with cottage cheese,vanilla ice cream or yogurt, and scrambled eggs or omelets.

This is a goodrecipe for canning. It freezes well and will last at least a year in a freezer.If freezing, make sure to allow enough headroom (at least an inch) in thecontainer for expansion. It will keep well in the fridge for one to two weeks.

Here’sa peek at multi-award-winningauthor and artist Linda Lee Greene’s latest book, Garden of the Spirits of the Pots, A Spiritual Odyssey. It is a blend of visionary andinspirational fiction with a touch of romance. The story unfolds as ex-patAmerican Nicholas Plato journeys into parts unknown, both within himself andhis adopted home of Sydney, Australia. In the end, the odyssey reveals to himhis true purpose for living. The novella is available in eBook and paperback.

Driven by a deathlythirst, he stops. A strange little brown man materializes out of nowhere andintroduces himself merely as ‘Potter,’ and welcomes Nicholas to his ‘Garden ofthe Spirits of the Pots.’ Although Nicholas has never laid eyes on Potter, theman seems to have expected Nicholas at his bizarre habitation and displaysknowledge about him that nobody has any right to possess. Just who is thismysterious Aboriginal potter? 

Althoughthey are as mismatched as two persons can be, a strangely inevitable friendshiptakes hold between them. It is a relationship that can only be directed by anunseen hand bent on setting Nicholas on a mystifying voyage of self-discoveryand Potter on revelations of universal certainties. 

A blend ofvisionary and inspirational fiction, and a touch of romance, this is a tale ofNicholas’ journey into parts unknown, both within his adopted home and himself,a quest that in the end leads him to his true purpose for living. 

AMAZON BUY LINK 

Multi-award-winning author and artist Linda Lee Greene describes her life as a telescope that when trained on her past reveals how each piece of it, whether good or bad or in-between, was necessary in the unfoldment of her fine art and literary paths.
Greene moved from farm-girl to city-girl; dance instructor to wife, mother, and homemaker; divorcee to single-working-mom and adult-college-student; and interior designer to multi-award-winning artist and author, essayist, and blogger. It was decades of challenging life experiences and debilitating, chronic illness that gave birth to her dormant flair for art and writing. Greene was three days shy of her fifty-seventh birthday when her creative spirit took a hold of her.

She found her way toher lonely easel soon thereafter. Since then Greene has accepted commissionsand displayed her artwork in shows and galleries in and around the USA. She isalso a member of artist and writer associations.

Visit Linda on her blog and join her on Facebook. Linda loves to hear from readers so feel free to email her.