Around the house 10/22

In the garden

Things to do this week:

In the kitchen

Apple insights

The 2003 U.S. apple harvest is under way, and the U.S. Apple Association estimates the total crop will be about 216.2 million bushels. That's about 94 apples for every man, woman and child in the United States, they say.

Apples are grown commercially in 36 states, with the top growing states being Washington, New York and Michigan.

Among apple varieties available are some new ones -- including the Braeburn, the Cameo, the Honeycrisp and the Pink Lady -- as well as the classics. The six traditional favorites, the association says, are the Red and Gold Delicious, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, McIntosh and Rome apples.

Research suggests health benefits from apple eating. "While we still have a lot to learn about how food can help up maintain good health, what we know about apples so far suggests 'an apple a day' might in fact be good practice," says Dr. Dianne Hyson, a registered dietitian and researcher at U.C.-Davis, who has studied apples' health benefits.

--AP

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