Picking Apples

An Apple a Day
If one apple can do you good, how about a whole bushel? Take an apple-picking excursion with your family this fall and enjoy this succulent fruit to the fullest extent! Here are some tips to make your adventure “fruitful”: Location: If you aren’t lucky enough to have your own apple trees, check out allboutapples.com to find an orchard near you. Picking: Apples ripen from the outside of the tree in, so choose apples from the outermost branches. Make sure they are firm and bruise-free. Don’t pull the apple straight from the tree—instead, lift up and give it a little twist. Snacks: Orchards often sell pie, cider, and, of course, apples, but there isn’t much else available, so make sure to bring bagged lunches and drinks. For a fun snack, bring a knife to slice apples, as well as toppings and spreads like caramel and peanut butter. (Did you know? Two pounds of apples make one 9-inch pie.)