Luxurious 100,000-square-foot Villa community offers a unique arrangement of supervision and increased healthcare with onsite physician services

By THE VILLAS, a wellness and prevention focused resort-inspired apartment community in Manalapan, N.J., for seniors

Fall has arrived, and although the weather at the Villas healthy-living adult community in Manalapan, N.J., and in nearby Staten Island, continue to flirt with summer temperatures, there is an invigorating crispness in the air.

Celebrating the season, the medical and nutritional experts at the Villas are sharing their appreciation of apples, which are jam packed with nutrients and healthy compounds. And now that they are in season, local apples will be more nutritious.

Here is a list of some of the amazing nutrients found in these crunchy fruits:

• Vitamin C – most is found in the apple skin
• Fiber – Insoluble fiber, which provides bulk in the gut and helps move food through your digestive system, and also soluble fiber called pectin. This helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels, thus potentially decreasing risk of heart disease.
• Antioxidants – a specific antioxidant called procyanidin has been found to improve cholesterol levels. 
• Prebiotics– the bacteria in our colon digest the bioactive compounds in apples and converts them into healthy compounds our body can use. 
• Polyphenols – function similar to antioxidants. Found in both the skin and meat of the apple. Have functions in improving the health of the brain, the bones, the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, and aiding in weight management. 
• Phytochemicals – quercetin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, anthocyanin. Quercetin is a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, most of it is found in the skin of the apple. The antioxidant effects of the flavonoids in apples may protect cells from oxidative damage. 

 Reminders and Tips

• Store apples in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They will usually remain fresh for at least a month, if not longer. 
• Apples continue to ripen after harvesting and emit a gas called ethylene. Refrigeration slows this process, but ethylene release still happens and can ripen other produce stored nearby. Apples stored room temperature will only last 1-2 weeks and the texture may change as well.
• Apples best for baking (don’t become mushy at high temperatures) include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cortland, and Braeburn.
• Apples often chosen for eating fresh include Gala, Red and Golden Delicious, Fuji, McIntosh.
• Apples best for making applesauce are McIntosh and Golden Delicious as they soften and cook down easily.

Unique Ways to Enjoy an Apple

• Pair apple slices with thin slices of cheddar cheese for a sweet and salty combo.
• Make an apple sandwich by slicing the apple into rounds, spread one round slice with nut or seed butter and top with another apple slice.
• Bake apple chips by slicing apples very thin, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at low temperature for one hour, flip slices and bake for one more hour or until completely dry.
• Make a Waldorf salad with walnuts, celery, raisins, and apples. 

About the Villas

The Villas is an upscale, world class resort-inspired apartment community offering a range of amenities and services sensitive to the lifestyle, health and daily needs of seniors. Orchestrated by Hackensack Meridian Health, the complex is uniquely focused on wellness and prevention – and ideal for singles and couples alike. The luxurious 100,000-square-foot community offers a unique arrangement of supervision and increased healthcare with onsite physician services. Embracing independent-living, assisted-living, skilled-nursing and memory-care needs on specialized floors, the Villas eliminates the need to relocate elsewhere due to health issues, allowing couples to remain together in a comforting, well-managed, posh environment. The Villas is located at 289 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726. For information, or to schedule a tour, the Villas may be reached at 732-847-3920, contacted via www.villashmh.com/contact, and visited online at www.villashmh.com.

###

Media Contact: Barton Horowitz

Relevant Public Relations, LLC

Headquarters: 718‑682‑1509

Mobile: 917‑715‑8761Email: [email protected]