Walk Talk Series

Day 37 – Self Guided Walks and Apples

Affirmation of the Day

I only think positive things about myself. I speak only positive things about myself. I accept who I am.

Self-guided Walks

Want to walk on a trail selected by other walkers for its walk-ability? There are over 2000 self-guided walking routes around the world established by the local Volkssport clubs, including over 1500 in the US and Canada. These are open to the public – you register at the start point, take a map and directions and enjoy a 10 kilometer walk. These are called Year-Round Walks or Permanent Walks.

When you are looking for a great walking route in your area, or a walking tour to enjoy on a day trip or long vacation, you best bet are the 1400+ walking routes established by the Volkssport clubs of the USA and Canada, most available free to the public.

You can plan a walking vacation or find great routes to enjoy near your home. Each trail is about 10K (6 miles) long, and may be in any kind of terrain – city, suburb, parks, forests, countryside.

American Volkssport Association

  • 1001 Pat Booker Road, Suite 101
  • Universal City, TX 78148
  • Voice (210) 659-2112
  • Fax (210) 659-1212
  • Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CST, Closed most Federal Holidays
    avahq@ava.org

 

 

Today’s Walk

  • 35-70 minute walk in the healthy heart zone 50-60% of your maximum heart rate
  • Warm up with 5 minutes at a very easy pace
  • Find a safe spot with a wall or pole to do a 5 minute easy stretching routine
  • Now resume your walk at a comfortable pace
  • End with 5 minutes of gentle stretching

Apples

We think it’s pretty safe to say that apples are definitely the most famous fruit. You’ve had the juice, eaten the sauce, and warmed up with cider on a chilly fall day. Teachers love them, Snow White eats them, and heck, you might even being reading this on a computer named after them! Yep, when it comes to fruit fame, apples definitely take the cake (er- pie). But even in spite of all this apple exposure, we think there’s a thing or two that might still surprise you. So, here are 5 things you might not know about apples:

1. The Work Out Wonder

Apples help you make the most of your exercise because they contain a powerful little antioxidant called quercetin, which helps bring more oxygen to your lungs. As a result, you won’t get winded as quickly and can work out harder and longer with your increased endurance!

2. Say Bye-Bye to Brown
If your little one won’t eat browned apple slices at lunch, we’ve got a few tricks to quiet those lunchbox complaints. Before packing them up, rinse them in cold water and squeeze fresh lemon on the slices. The lemon will keep the apple slices fresher, longer. Or, if you don’t have lemons on hand, you can slice them up then put the apple back together with a rubber band until it’s time to eat.

 

3. The Right Apple For The Right Dish
While all apples have health benefits and are extra tasty, some apples are better for baking than others. A Red Delicious makes a super snack, but is a poor choice for apple pie due to its lack of tangy flavor. Instead, try Granny Smith, Macintosh, Empire, or Cortland Apples

4. An Apple a Day…

An apple a day doesn’t just keep the doctor away, it can also keep your weight down. A medium apple has 4 soluble grams of fiber for just 95 calories, making it a super satisfying snack without adding to your calorie count. Plus, one medium apple counts for half of your daily servings of fruit- who doesn’t love that?

 

5. Eat The Skin!

The skin of an apple is loaded with nutrients. It’s rich in vitamin A and C; minerals like calcium, potassium, folate, iron, and phosphorus; and antioxidants. Translation? The skin is great for your own skin, plus vision, immune system, bones, and heart, to name a few.