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UNMC’s Joanie Martin gives some of the proceeds raised from the purchase of “Mrs. Hathaway’s Gormet Apples” to the American Heart Association. “Mrs. Hathaway” is Martin’s apple-making alias. |
“Having been raised with apple trees around our home, I remember my mother making caramel apples,” Martin said. “I’ve just gone one step further.”
Martin uses her mother’s caramel apple recipe with some special additions including nuts, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, toffee, cherries, and just about everything else you can sink your teeth into.
Part of the proceeds from Martin’s apple sales go to the American Heart Association to help bring awareness about heart disease in women.
“It is so very important to make women aware that heart disease is a killer and that arm ache or jaw pain shouldn’t be dealt with lightly,” Martin said. “This year, I am dedicating my sales to my dear friend who died Dec. 23, 2006 from a heart attack. It really gave me a jolt, and in her memory I want to do my part.”
One reason why heart disease may become more prevalent in women is because of life-style changes.
“Women are traditionally the nurturer and sometimes forget to pay attention to themselves,” said Edward O’Leary, M.D., a UNMC associate professor of cardiology and chief of cardiology at the Omaha VA Hospital. “As women are taking on more of a provider role, they are in more stressful situations and are setting themselves up for the same risks as men.”
While the stereotypical person to have a heart-attack is a middle-aged male, women are urged to pay attention to the signs and symptoms and understand that they are susceptible too.
“Women, like men, need to practice risk factor modification,” Dr. O’Leary said. “Some things you can do to lower your risk include exercising, watching your weight, managing stress, paying attention to your lipids and cholesterol, not smoking and (of course) eating those delicious apples!”
If you would like to order Mrs. Hathaway’s Gourmet Apples please call 559-9252 to request an order form.