My daughter inherited her love of coffee directly from me, and definitely brought that love with her to her semester in Paris. Luckily for her, her host parents share her passion, and she wakes up every morning to a fresh pot of coffee to go with her petit déjeuner. This was not the case, however, one early Monday morning when she was running a little late for her 9:30am art history class.

She tells the story like this: “That morning, I emerged, as usual, maybe a little later than usual, to find the coffee pot upside down on the drying rack. Ghislain, one of my host parents, was in the kitchen peeling these weird, French mini apples that we always have in a bowl on the counter.

Nikki [in French]: Oh, is there no coffee this morning?

Ghislain [in French]: No, today I am eating apples. Would you like an apple?

Nikki: No…

It took me another thirty seconds to realize that there was, in fact, NO COFFEE, and being late, as I was, I didn’t have time to make any. Seriously? Apples? What is this guy talking about? How are apples a replacement for coffee? Are these apples laced with caffeine?”

As hilarious as I found this story, it got me to thinking about apples, especially since, my daughter added when recounting the tale to me, that she eats them every day, but not for a source of caffeine. So, if not for caffeine, for what?

It turns out that apples are a powerhouse of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants—all extremely important elements of a well-rounded, anti-aging diet.

In addition to being packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, apples are full of those amazing antioxidants that keep your cells healthy, your cardiovascular system in tip-top, and your heart healthy. However, it turns out that my daughter’s host parent made a mistake: the skins of apples contain the majority of the fruit’s vitamin C and antioxidants, so make sure not to skip out on those.

Apples also contribute to your heart health through a type of metabolite called flavonoids. Flavonoids have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, as well as regulate blood pressure, and prevent inflammation. Studies have also shown that unlike most fruits, especially citrus fruits, apples actually lower the risk of asthma and other lung-related problems, and flavonoids are key nutrients when it comes to general lung support. And juicy, delicious apples are just packed with them!

Looking for a sweeter source of fiber than wheat bran? Just pick up some apples! Apples contain both kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble, which are both really important for regulating LDL cholesterol.

Additionally, there is exciting new research being done that seems to show a correlation between the daily consumption of apples and a reduced risk of breast, lung, and colon cancer.

You can try chopped up apples in your salad, apples with peanut butter (one of my favorites) or with almond butter, chopped apples in your hot cereal in the morning, or baked apples with cinnamon, yum

So do your body—not to mention your taste buds—a big favor, and pick up a Pink Lady, a Red Delicious, a Granny Smith, or a Fuji apple ASAP!

“This entry has been posted as part of Prevention Not Prescriptions Tuesday hosted by The Kathleen Show” Click here and check it out!

Okay, I can’t help myself. I have to talk about bran today!

I have always known that bran is “good” for you, but just kind of always left it at that, until recently.

About a month or so ago, my boyfriend Dustin had a craving for his old childhood favorite cereal Kellogg’s Raisin Bran. At first, I turned my nose up to it, because all I could think of were those little sugarcoated raisins that I remember from my own childhood experience, and I was not interested in eating a bowl full of sugarcoated raisins for breakfast.

The next morning, as I sat and watched Dustin consume his bowl of bran flakes with raisins (and yes, the raisins did have sugar surrounding their already natural sweetness) I could not help but start feeling drawn to pouring my own bowl full. I have to tell you, it was yummy! It was so good that I went out and bought my own box of raisin bran, but a more natural brand. I have been hooked ever since. I now include half of a sliced banana and a palm full of sliced almonds…even yummier.

Now, it’s a month later and I am still craving it every morning, and honestly, not to get graphic or anything, but I have not been so “regular” in I don’t know how long….

Wheat bran is considered one of the best sources of dietary fiber. It also contains B-complex vitamins, protein, and trace minerals.

Having fiber in your diet can help alleviate bowel conditions such as constipation, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as stomach cancer. Fiber has also been shown to help lower blood pressure.

I don’t know about you, but I am going to continue eating my raisin bran for breakfast because not only is it keeping me regular, but it also has all the additional health benefits. Think I might try making some bran muffins too. Anybody have a good recipe?

Sources:

WebMD

Roehl, Evelyn. Whole Foods Facts, The Complete Reference Guide. Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 1988