apple3.jpgMy 40 Day Challenges are about things I’ve never done before. They are exercises in discipline and no matter how simple they may appear, having the discipline to complete them is a lot more difficult than you’d think. If so, I would have been successful in them long ago. The two reasons I fail to complete simple goals are the making of excuses and lack of planning. I am setting out on these apparently simple exercises to practice the act of discipline, making no excuses and planning to succeed.

The challenges themselves have a goal in mind with positive personal results in mind. For example, 40 Day challenge No. 1, to write one post a day and publish it for the first 40 days of this blog, is in its 13th day and so far so good. Yet I have caught myself numerous times ready to compromise, make an excuse, and skip just one day. I even have caught myself not only making the excuse, but thinking of the post I would publish with a reason I missed a day!!

This second challenge is about better nutrition. Diet, the stuff we eat not the act of losing weight, has been a topic and concern of mine for years. I’ve TALKED about it and TALKED more about it. This challenge is about focusing on real change. Thus, the eating of an apple a day!

I grew up hearing the adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. For that reason alone would make this a good reason to eat one. I found that the saying was attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Amazing that back then, there was little medical or nutritional knowledge to base that on, yet today’s research has confirmed that indeed, the apple has many healthy benefits. (I have always had an immediate good feeling after eating an apple! Especially the seeds. Anyone else confirm this?)

Consider the following:

  1. Apples are a good source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps greatly helps your immune system.
  2. Are rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are also known for their antioxidant effects.
  3. Low in calories. A regular size apple has between 70-100 calories. Eating an apple when wanting candy or chocolate can help make that desire lesson or disappear — this may seem like a serious detriment for some of you.
  4. Another thing I’ve noticed is that my teeth and mouth seemed cleaner after eating one. I read that juice from the apple can kill up to 80% of the harmful bacteria that causes tooth decay. Meaning, an apple a day may also keep the DENTIST away. (smile)
  5. Apples are rich in phytonutrients, and phytonutrients have been found to prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
  6. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
  7. Oh, I remember what I was going to say, there was a university study showing that people who ate 5 apples or more per week had lower respiratory problems.

Like any goal, the challenge is structured to hold me accountable. They are written down, time sensitive, shared and meaningful. Today begins Challenge No. 2. As I have been working on this post, I have eaten my first apple. It was a Granny Smith. Pretty good! Proof?

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According to BestApples.com, there are a number of different apples to choose from. Here’s some info with the year the type was introduced and from where:

  • Red Delicious — 1874, Iowa. (Traditionally my favorite.)
  • Golden Delicious — 1914, West Virginia
  • Gala — 1965, New Zealand
  • Fuji — 1962, Japan (Made in Japan)
  • Granny Smith– 1868, Australia
  • Braeburn — 1952, New Zealand

April 21st, 40 days, 40 apples later, and feelin’ good.