If you have recently gone apple picking, you’re in luck, because an apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Apples have been used as a homeopathic health resource, food preservative and cleaning agent since ancient times. Recently, researchers have found compounds in apples may prevent asthma, protect against cancer and even sharpen your memory.
So, go ahead and fill up on those apples you picked, but before the entire bunch is gone, try some of these projects:
Create Home Decorations
From dried apple garlands (the trick is to sprinkle the apples with cinnamon before dehydrating) to apple stamps to cute apple candle holders (float candles in water for a great party decoration), using apples in creative DIY ways can add so much to your fall home decorations.
Use in the Kitchen
According to TreeHugger.com, apples can actually accelerate the ripening of other foods and keep things fresh longer. Place unripe fruits and vegies (i.e. bananas, avocados, tomatoes) into a paper bag with an apple and they will soon go from hard and bitter to soft and sweet. This same trick works for softening hardened brown sugar. It is also suggested you store cakes and baked goods with half an apple–the moisture of the apple will keep your pastries fresh.
Another little known kitchen trick: If you’ve over salted your soup or sauce, just toss in a few apple slices into the pot, stir and remove before serving.
Add to Your Beauty Routine
The apple’s pectin is said to reduce inflammation and the appearance of fine wrinkles, making it an ideal addition to your beauty routine. Simply grate a peeled and cored apple and apply to skin. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water. You can turn this mixture into a facemask by adding one tablespoon of rolled oats, one teaspoon of yogurt and one teaspoon of honey. Apply to face for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Clean Your Home
Use apple cider vinegar as an all-around cleaning agent. Use this powerhouse product to wipe down your digital devices, unstick scissors, remove candle wax and de-mildew your bathtub. Visit OneGreenPlanet.org for even more cleaning suggestions. We suggest keeping a spray bottle of apple cider vinegar mixed with water underneath your kitchen sink for quick countertop cleans.
Get Healthy
Studies have found that smelling a green apple can reduce the intensity of a migraine and the plant compound quercetin (abundantly found in apples) seems to slow down the secretion of histamine, the chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction. Want to improve the way you do sit ups? Squeeze an apple between your thighs while doing crunches to improve your abdominal strength.
Talk to us: How do you use your leftover apples?
image courtesy of flickr CC/Tom Gill