The apple: This is a red, yellow or green circular-shaped “miracle substance” labeled “USA” and is 100% natural. Take 1-2 each day for optimum benefits!

You know the old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Here’s recent evidence that it’s time to up the apple ante to two.

According to a recent story on ABC.com, apples are a “miracle substance” that helped lower LDL “bad” cholesterol 23 percent while raising HDL “good” cholesterol by 3-4 percent in a study of women ages 45-65.

It is “a boost difficult to achieve with drugs or exercise,” said Bahram H. Arjmandi, Ph. D., director for the Center for Advancing Exercise and Nutrition Research on Aging at Florida State University, who was quoted in the story. “I buy a bag a week and try to eat two per day. I am convinced this is what I should do if I want to remain healthy.”

Meanwhile, MSNBC.com’s Keri Glassman likened apples to “portable powerhouses” in her recent story on “secret superfoods you’re already eating,” citing how apples can help protect against heart disease and show protective benefits against lung cancer risk. Robin Erb of the Detroit Free Press recommended high-fiber apples for keeping the gastrointestinal tract healthy.

Hungry for more? Watch this video to learn how powerful antioxidants in apples and apple products may help reduce the risk of some of the world’s major diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease!

Ingredients:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Apple slices
Pecans
Graham crackers

Directions:
1. In medium mixer bowl, place all dip ingredients.

2. On high speed, mix dip until smooth and creamy (60 to 90 seconds).

3. Serve with assorted apple slices, pecans and favorite crackers.

Nutrition Information: Each serving (about 2 Tbsp Dip) contains 60 calories, 4g carbohydrate (1% Daily Value), 0g fiber, 1g protein, 5g fat (8% Daily Value), 2.5g saturated fat (13% Daily Value), 15mg cholesterol (5% Daily Value), and 45mg sodium (2% Daily Value).

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As fruit buds begin to awaken, “silver tips” appear on the apple trees, signaling beautiful pink blooms to come, and the buzz of busy bees in the summertime. As bees fly from flower to flower in search of nectar, used to make honey, they pollinate the blossom. It’s this annual dance of blooms and bees that allow the apple tree to bear fruit.

Apples are a dependable super fruit today, thanks to industrious U.S. bees – and a little help from our European ancestors. Among the plants and seeds brought from England were apples. What they didn’t realize was that this great new frontier had no honeybees to pollinate the apples. In 1622 another boat arrived, carrying hives of European bees.

From shore to shore, pioneering farmers (and the famed Johnny Appleseed) planted apple trees, and the bees stayed busy pollinating them. The descendants of these bees pollinate the food we eat today, including tasty apples, and they also give us delicious honey.

It should come as no surprise then, that honey and apples go well together in the kitchen! Try dipping apples in honey for an energizing snack, or drizzling honey over a peanut butter and apple sandwich. If you are baking, add a touch of honey to apple muffins, pies and scones. Apples and honey make a great topper for your daily oatmeal, too.

As we await the bees, apple blossom time is a sure harbinger of good things to come. From March to May, enjoy an abundance of apple blossom festivals and events, including the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival.

Bees, blossoms, honey and apples are all intertwined, so enjoy them together while also learning a thing or two about their history!

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Want to fill up on more apple product info? Sign up to receive our monthly Apple of the Month Club e-newsletter.

“I love being outside during all four seasons and always having something to do,” Jim says. “So I started a small hobby farm to keep busy, but I guess it became a little more than a hobby.”

Today, Jim tends to 100 acres of apples, cherries and hay at Fleming’s Valley View Orchards. His 46 acres of apple orchards are home to three varieties: Fuji, Gala and Cameo—a variety that Jim’s late brother, Doyle, helped develop. The Cameo is one of Jim’s favorite apples to grow, as well as to eat.

“Cameo is just an all-around good apple; it’s crunchy, juicy and full of flavor,” he says. “It’s not always the prettiest apple, but it is always delicious.”

With retirement around the corner, Jim, 75, says he is fortunate to have a son, Scott, to carry on his legacy. “Soon it will be my turn to sit on the porch and tell everyone else what to do!”

We spotlight a new grower and region each month. Sign up for the Apple of the Month Club e-newsletter and learn about other regions!

“A lot of our success is due to an ideal apple-growing climate,” says WAC Project Coordinator Molly Simpson. “We have four well defined seasons and the irrigation water from the Columbia River and area lakes turn our arid desert climate into the perfect growing conditions for our apples.”

Washington accounts for tremendous production numbers, harvesting more than 100 million boxes of apples each year. The top nine apple varieties grown in Washington include Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cripps Pink, Braeburn and Cameo.

While the official anniversary date is March 17, WAC and Washington growers will kick off the 75^th celebration during the 2012 fall harvest. For anniversary events and news (even a new logo), check out Washington Apples at www.bestapples.com.

We spotlight a new region each month. Sign up for the Apple of the Month Club e-newsletter and learn about other regions!

Pork Fajitas with Apple-Cilantro Salsa

Yield: 4
Prep and cook time: 2 hours 15 minutes (includes chilling and marinating time)

Apple Salsa Ingredients (Makes 2-1/2 cups):
3 unpeeled apples, cored and diced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons sliced green onion, including top
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon minced jalapeno pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Fajita Marinade Ingredients (Combine in a small bowl and mix well):
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
6 large cloves garlic, finely minced
3 teaspoons fresh cilantro leaves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Pork Wrap Ingredients:
1 lb. pork tenderloin or lean pork roast
Fajita marinade
8 flour tortillas (8-inch)

Directions:
1. Combine all salsa ingredients in bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate several hours to meld flavors.

2. Place pork in large sealable plastic bag and pour in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1-1/2 hours or more, turning occasionally.

3. Preheat grill. Drain marinated pork, saving excess marinade. Place pork on grill and brush with leftover marinade. Grill over hot coals, turning frequently, for 8-10 minutes, until internal thermometer reads 155-160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat and place on clean plate.

4. Wrap tortillas tightly in foil and heat on upper grill rack for 10 minutes.

5. Cut pork diagonally across grain into thin slices. Arrange one-eighth of pork slices and 2 or 3 tablespoons salsa in center of tortilla. Fold bottom half of tortilla over filling and overlap sides on top. Arrange on serving plate.

Tip #1: Avoid the party snack doldrums. Instead of the typical high-fat snack spread washed down with soda or alcohol, opt for a healthier balance of foods that keep guests alert, satiated and nourished. For example, serve a simple meat, cheese and fruit platter, alternating slices of apple, ham and cheddar. Or create crowd-pleasing skewers featuring savory chunks of cooked apple sausages and sweet, fresh apple wedges. For even more smiles, dip apples in vitamin C-fortified apple juice, which prevents browning.

Tip #2: Rethink the chip. Chips need not be part of the junk food minefield; you have options. Apple chips are a crispy snack to nestle among the usual suspects. Dusted in cinnamon or dunked in our apple cilantro salsa, apple chips add variety to the mix. Encourage guests to enjoy the fresh crunch of apple chips with cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado and spicy jalapeno!

Tip #3: Refresh the beverage lineup. Quench your guests’ thirst with nutrient-packed apple products. Sparkling apple juice is perfect for toasting a big touchdown or a fabulous gown on the red carpet, and cider and juice make good mixers. If you’re looking for a little extra punch, try hard cider, mulled cider or even apple wine!

Whether you are hosting the big party of the season, or just an impromptu gathering, stocking up on apples and apple products is sure to help you score with friends!

Red Delicious, the most widely recognized of all U.S. apple varieties, originated in Iowa in the 1870s. This sweet, juicy apple with its showy color that ranges from deep solid to striped is perfect for adding a punch of color and crunch to a salad, or for eating out of hand. Western Red Delicious are elongated in shape with pronounced “feet,” while Eastern Delicious are more round. Try it with this month’s suggested home-entertaining snacks.