An Apple A Day!!

How often have we heard that phrase?  It seems to be encrypted into our brains!!

Whatever "diet" people follow, getting enough fruits and vegetables seems to be a common denominator in all of them.  Personally I dislike the word "diet".  As soon as I hear it I automatically think of eating a bunch of boring food which leaves me feeling hungry….which in turn makes me an unhappy person.

I prefer to look at eating in terms of "food choices".  Do I choose to eat that chocolate bar … or do I choose to munch on an apple?    Whatever people decide to eat, it all boils down to "choice".

Now, back to the "apple a day".  I love biting into a nice, crisp, juicy Cortland apple  in the fall during apple season.  That is my absolute favourite time of year to get my fill on fresh apples.  During the rest of the year however, I have to get creative and find tasty ways of incorporating apples into my cooking.  My husband would be more than happy to live on homemade apple crisp….but that is not an option!!

There are endless way to fit apples into any meal of the day including snacks.  If you experiment, you might be surprised with all the ways apples can be eaten on a daily basis … making the "apple a day" challenge a breeze.

For breakfast I love making baked oatmeal with apples.  Warm oats, cinnamon and nutmeg in the morning is almost like eating apple crisp for breakfast.  Not to mention the house smells wonderful as it bakes.

Snacking on apple slices with peanut butter is a great way to work on that apple eating challenge.

Lunch has lots of possibilities, especially if you are taking it to work (or school).  Try chopping up an apple, adding some cottage cheese, dried cranberries and shredded raw coconut.   Another option is an apple salad.  Choose your greens base, (I love spinach) but any greens of your choice will work.  Slice up an apple, crumble  up some goat cheese and sprinkle with sliced almonds and dried cranberries.  Make a dressing of greek yogurt mixed with a bit of pomegranate juice and honey and you will have yourself an awesome and pretty salad!!

For dinner try adding some chopped apples to your next turkey meatloaf or turkey burgers.  Apples help the burgers and meatloaf stay nice and juicy.  Today I am sautéing some onions and apples to top our pulled pork sandwiches … can't wait!!

Get creative and experiment.  An "apple a day" is not as hard as it seems!!