Unforbidden fruit

Maples are already forecasting fall in the Laurentians, colouring the hills just north of Montreal, where the temperature is always a notch colder.

Beyond the explosion of color that will run into October (red maple turns brilliant scarlet; sugar maple becomes orange-red; black maple turns glowing yellow; while fir, cedar and spruce stay various shades of green and even blue), I’m most excited about gorging on Honey Crisp apples (yellow with red highlights) that I plan to pick up this week at a farm. A forty-pound box. Can’t wait.

I grew up in a family that revered apples – they were associated with affordable good health with a touch of luxury, doled out as snacks, desserts and as a reward for a task well done. My mother and I proudly ate the whole apple, core and all.  When in season, eating a Macintosh brought on a chorus of comments about its sweetness, firmness, and tartness. The less than perfect apples were turned into applesauce or apple betty.  

Over dinner last night, I interrupted and then refocused the conversation to what was on my mind – apples. I know that being impatient for an apple to be harvested before it is ripe makes no sense.  But I needed to talk about how eating the creamy flesh of a fist-sized Honey Crisp is in itself a complete experience – with a beginning, middle and end.

I said to my friend, “I need to tell you how it works. It’s not a usual experience. Each bite has a soft crunchy snap (not like the hard crunch of a Mac) and sweet juiciness. With each crispy bite you marvel in disbelief at its goodness. Each bite begets another bite. I am not proud to say it, but I am selfish about these apples and only offer one to visitors as they leave my house. No more than one.”

Convinced by my animated hand gestures, she kindly said, “I believe you, there must be no other apple like it and let’s plan a trip to pick some.”   

That’s the power of having a personal conviction, and the passion to make others see it your way. And if there is a touch of pleasure in it, all the better.  I hope each of you are persuaded and inspired to rally around a cause of your choosing! You might find you are building a following.

What are you excited about this month? What would you like to be excited about?

Keep me posted,

Coach Minda

Special: If you sign up for one month of coaching by October 1st, you will receive a free apple with every coaching session! 

That's four of the best apples you'll ever have, not to mention the best coaching sessions. Promotion code: Honey Crisp