Apples for love

It’s not roses or perfect hearts or even chocolate that was the ultimate symbol of love in ancient times. Legend has it that luscious red and juicy apple are perfect expression of love and affection

Known for producing some of the best apples in the world, Washington apples share this ancient tradition, revealing the apple as the token of love for Valentine’s relationship.

The core of the apple holds seeds that stand for fertility and regeneration. In Greek tradition apples are associated with love and marriage. They are offered to Greek brides to strengthen marital affection.

This custom has its beginning in myth with the goddess Gala gifting the goddess Hera with apples to signify long lasting love and a bless union.

Ancient Greek historians noted that couple s in the 7th century B.C would share an apple as a symbol of their marriage and hopes for a fruitful union. In olden times, apples were presented to sweethearts as a declaration of love.

In some expression, the word ‘apple’ becomes synonymous with ‘love’. Those ‘struck by an apple’ is tantamount to being ‘love struck’.

An Irish folk custom practiced by young women involved peeling an apple into one continuous ribbon while thinking of love, before throwing it over the shoulder. It was believe that the apple peel would land on the shape of women’s future partner.

Why not present apple in this Valentine’s Day? Choose from wide range of Washington Apples available including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Braebrun, Cameo, Jonathan Gold and Cripps Pink.

The Language of Love

Do you know how your kids love to be loved? That may sound strange, but some people said that kids (and adults) have one or two primary ways they like to receive love. If your kids don't feel loved in those ways, they may not feel loved at all-even though you may show love to them in other ways. So fill your kids' "love tank" by discerning which love languages best fit them.

1. Physical Touch-Though freely given when your teenagers were children, hugs and kisses sometimes vanish as they grow older. Teenagers who feel most loved through touch need a hug now just as much as when they are seven.

2. Affirming Words-Again, don't forget that teenagers, more than ever, need support and encouraging words from you. Your affirmations give kids the assurance that they're loved.

3. Quality Time-For some kids, nothing impacts them more than when you give them your complete and undivided attention. So ask them to go somewhere with you alone, or ask to play a game with them.

4. Giving and Receiving Gifts-Some kids feel loved when they receive gifts from the important people in their lives. In turn, they may express love to others through gifts. Unfortunately, this is the language that well-off, busy parents often speak-but not all kids feel loved by gift-giving.

5. Acts of Service-Helping your son with his homework or fixing your daughter's in-line skates could be the most powerful expressions of love to them.