An apple a day keeps the doctor away (and makes you svelte, smart and strong too)

We have all heard the old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," but new research has shown that apples have many more benefits than previously thought. Want to improve memory, endurance or weight loss? Eat an apple. How about boosting physical health? Apples can help. Threatening diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, asthma and cancer are also diminished by this seemingly ordinary fruit.

A tasty daily habit for preventing major disease

Researchers have discovered that consistent consumption of apples fosters greater health. Asthmatic children who drink apple juice on a daily basis have less wheezing than those who only have apple juice once a month. Likewise, maternal consumption of apples has a positive effect on the well being of their children. Mothers who ate apples throughout pregnancy gave birth to children who had lower rates of asthma compared to those who consumed small amounts of the fruit. Apples also help to control diabetes. As a good source of galacturonic acid, apples curb the body's requirement for insulin. Even better, women who eat at least one apple a day lower their chances of developing Type II diabetes by 28 percent.

Gluten-Free Rooibos Sablé Cookies

As with many things French, the traditional Sablé cookie is laden with butter. For this recipe the coconut oil works beautifully as a healthy substitute. The rooibos tea used here came from a snappy little tea shop in Calgary, Alberta. This delightful tea, Rainbow Rooibos, has lovely flower petals of yellow and periwinkle along with essence of amaretto. Low glycemic coconut sugar is used as well for additional nutritional benefit.

Boost vigor and mental well-being by harmonizing copper levels in the body

Migraines, depression, fatigue and insomnia - these are just a few of the disorders that may be caused by a remarkably common nutritional imbalance of copper. When proper levels of this mineral are not maintained, illness and disease can develop. Since copper deficiency and toxicity have far reaching health consequences, it is vital to recognize the signs of imbalance.

Copper is an essential mineral necessary for many functions of the body. Along with iron, copper assists with red blood cell formation. It is also required for healthy connective tissue, bones and the nervous and immune systems. Copper is helpful in treating a wide range of illness from anemia to heart disease, leukemia to HIV/AIDS. In addition, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of mental illness all respond well to balanced copper levels. Excellent sources include avocado, sesame, asparagus, crimini mushrooms and molasses along with most organic grains and nuts.