In my novel Nearly Canaan, Joshua and Jaya find themselves surrounded by orchards. They quickly appreciate apples as much more than an orb to eat daily.
Here are ten unexpected uses.
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- Headache relief. Cut a green apple open and start sniffing. It’s supposed to work faster than some pain pills.
- Christmas decorations. Slice an apple, then carve out the core. The rounds can be hung individually or as a garland on the tree or window. They’re fragrant, too, as they dry.
- Shrucken heads for Halloween. Bake them on low for three hours or so, then carve out a mouth and nose, maybe the eyes too. Add buttons or other small objects for the eyeballs. Quite spooky and yet funny.
- Kiddie craft stamper. Cut one open, then carve out a design for imprinting with ink on paper or fabric.
- Candleholder. Carve the core from an apple, then insert a votive or tea candle. It makes for a romantic glow.
- Hair rinse. Dilute cider in water, then rinse after shampoo and conditioner rounds. Removes excess oil.
- Salt reduction. Ever put too much salt in something you’re cooking? A few wedges of apple or potato added to the pot can turn the trick. Remove them after ten minutes. Don’t see this helping on the table, though. Any suggestions there?
- Green tomato ripener. Place an already ripe apple in a paper bag for a couple of days. We’ll have to remember this in the fall, when we harvest everything we can before the first big frost.
- Potpourri. Stud an apple with cloves stems and let it dry in a clothes drawer. I remember that from childhood.
- As a bow-and-arrow target. Especially if you’re William Tell.
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Gee, aren’t we feeling like Martha Do-it!
What else do you suggest?
