The well-known axiom—’an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ makes striving for good health seem so simple. Don’t we wish! The original quote goes like this—’Eat and apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.’ Regardless of how you put it, the humble apple packs a nutritious punch.

For years it was common to give an apple to your teacher. (think Little House on the Prairie)

Johnny Appleseed was all about planting apple trees. But his real desire was for gallons of hard cider.

I grew up in Wisconsin where many yards had an apple tree–Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith. We didn’t have a tree. 🍂🍁 But when fall rolled around, my mom bought apples by the boxful. The carton sat in the cool garage and was a free-for-all for family and friends. 

At Halloween parties, bobbing for apples was a must. Afterwards, mangled apples floated in an oily Halloween makeup film on the surface of the water. You didn’t want to be the last bobber. Later, we ate fresh apples dipped in caramel. 

When I learned to cook, I made apple crumble and baked apples stuffed with walnuts and cinnamon. 

When we first met, my husband and I got to know each other over Bridgeman’s ice cream cones. I licked my boring chocolate while he sampled seasonal favorites like rum cherry and Dutch apple.

When we got married, I made an apple pie with a sweet and crunchy top crust. Alongside pumpkin, that apple pie became our Thanksgiving tradition. 

I took my daughter to New York City for her 14th birthday. Before leaving for the Big Apple, she requested her birthday candles be poked into an apple pie. 

As I type this Reflection on my Apple computer, I’m reminded of apples each and every day. They are a versatile fruit. Right now, I would love a cup of spiced-apple tea and an apple fritter.

What is your favorite way to enjoy apples?