21 Paths to Wellness

We hope that you'll be able to join us this Thursday at the next delicious Pathfinder Produce fresh fruits and veggie market at the Village Commons, from 2 to 5 p.m.

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Fall has gotten into high gear here in Central New York with the leaves turning scarlet and gold, and many of our favorite winter keeper fruits and veggies now coming to market. Pathfinder Produce is featuring winter squashes, apples, beets and other great tasting items. During October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we will feature healthy recipes at the market, part of the Village’s new 21 Paths to Wellness program.

This initiative, which will be followed by many residents and staff at the Village alike, will feature 21 different ways to improve one’s health, and will show that everyone – no matter their age or physical condition – may make positive changes in modest and incremental ways.  Our 21 Paths Calendar can be found on our Facebook Page and our Pathfinder Village website; we hope that you will print it and join us in our activities or substitute others. We also invite you to share your story on our 21 Paths to Wellness event page if you use Facebook.

As part of the program, this week our vocational staff and pre-vocational students will continue harvesting all the great produce from the 5210 Hoop House to share with our customers at this Thursday’s market.  The market staff also will prepare Crock Pot Applesauce for visitors to try.  (I’ve omitted the added sugar in the recipe below; I would use minimal amounts of substitute sugars like molasses, stevia, agave or xylitol if sweetening is required).

According to the website Quick and Dirty Tips, “The World Health Organization recommends that you limit your intake of added sugars to no more than 10% of your calories [per day]. If you’re an average-sized adult, ten percent of your calories is around 50 grams of sugar, or the equivalent of 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.   The American Heart Association would like to lower the bar to just 5%.”.

I also personally believe in lots of cinnamon, which according to cinnamonvogue.com, has properties that help regulate blood sugar levels, can help fight colds and flu, help with weight control, and improve memory and cognition.  (Based on the tip of a co-worker, I’ve been adding a sprinkle or two of cinnamon to my unsweetened coffee in the morning … it is very enjoyable!).

Crock Pot Applesauce

8 medium apples

1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Ground cinnamon

1.  Peel, core and chop the apples.

2.  Add lemon juice and cinnamon.
3.  Set crock pot to high and cook for 3 hours. Stir apples occasionally, apples will slowly become a delicious applesauce. Use a blender to smooth out applesauce or keep chunky.
4.  Can and process as you would other recipes or keep refrigerated up to 3 weeks.

Until next time, be well!

Lori