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| Fresh Apples. Photo by Scott Bauer. |
If you're new to Whole Foods Living, you're in for a (healthy!) treat. Each day this month (excluding the last four Sundays) I'll spotlight a healthy whole food, ways to live chemical-free and helpful cooking tips to keep your meals healthy. I'm even planning a nutrition quiz or two!
So, Are Apples Healthy?
Apples are packed with phytonutrients that help regulate blood sugar and balance the good bacteria in the digestive tract, according to The World's Healthiest Foods. To get the most nutrition from an apple, eat it in it's whole foods form. Apple juice and applesauce are a result of processing, and lack the fiber and vitamins found in a fresh apple.
Healthy Apple Recipes
One of my favorite quick breakfasts is crispy apple slices dipped in nut butter. From peanuts to almonds or cashews, you really can't go wrong. The combination of protein (from the nuts) and sugar (from the apple) is the perfect post-morning workout snack.
If you're looking for a healthy alternative to apple pie, try making sweet baked apples. After halving and coring an apple, place it skin-side down in a baking pan with a little water. Fill the apple with a mixture of organic raisins, chopped walnuts, a dash of cinnamon and a big squeeze of honey or agave syrup. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. This sweet treat will satisfy your dessert cravings without the calories of a fat-filled pie crust or chemically-treated refined sugar.
What are your favorite ways to enjoy fresh apples? Please share your ideas or links to recipes in the comments below! I'm always looking for a new ways to indulge in apples.
Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!
Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living
PS: Check back tomorrow for day two of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I'll be sharing a yummy Berry smoothie recipe for the letter B!
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Apples are one of the most versatile fruits along with bananas. Great for cooking, even better for eating!
ReplyDelete/Yum!
Wesley, so true! Apples are one of my favorite fruits for sure! Have a great weekend!
DeleteThanks for the nut butter tip. I forgot about that. I like to eat an apple during the day while I'm in the midst of my article writing. The fruit wakes me up, if I'm tired, and gets me moving again.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Sometimes a smoothie, a sliced apple and some almond butter are my breakfast. Love it!
DeleteI'm so glad I found your blog! I watched "Forks over Knives" a few weeks ago and I'm determined to change my eating habits. Easy for me, not so easy with two kids, one of which is super picky.
ReplyDeleteI love sliced apples with almond butter. It's my afternoon pick me up.
Thanks for stopping by! I will have to check out "Forks over Knives" -- I have never heard of it! Have you seen "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead"? It's a great documentary! Good luck with overhauling your eating habits. It won't happen over night, but even a tiny change can become a habit. My first change was not putting butter on everything. I actually like plain vegetables now! Every step counts! Good Luck! ~Angela
DeleteAwesome!! ~Angela
DeleteApples are yummy! I have my hubby picking some up when he stops off at the grocery store. : )
ReplyDeleteSusanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
Fantastic! :)
DeleteI love apples! They are one of the few things my whole family will eat. :)
ReplyDeleteWhere you'll find me blogging in the A-toZ challenge:
http://www.lifesuccessfully.com/18/post/2012/04/where-youll-find-me-blogging-a-z-in-april-2012.html
Hi Lyn! Thanks for stopping by! ~Angela
DeleteAwesome post, as always :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy!! :)
DeleteWow, this is really a terrible post. Because it's making me hungry LOL. Seriously though, this is great stuff so thanks for sharing it with us. Welcome to the A to Z Challenge. I will definitely be stopping by every day to see what other great foods you share with us.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks for the comments Eric! Now go enjoy a healthy meal! ~Angela
DeleteWow, this is really a terrible post. Because it's making me hungry LOL. Seriously though, this is great stuff so thanks for sharing it with us. Welcome to the A to Z Challenge. I will definitely be stopping by every day to see what other great foods you share with us.
ReplyDeleteWow, this post is terrible...because it's making me hungry LOL. Seriously though, this great stuff and I appreciate you sharing it with us. I love apples, particularly Granny Smith apples. I'm looking forward to what the rest of the month holds for your posts, so keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's first thought when we hear the letter A is A for apple. Great start for the challenge :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! ~Angela
DeleteI found you through the AtoZ Challenge. Great first post! I love the baked apples idea! In fact I'd like to try it the next time we have friends over for dinner. Sounds so yummy! Does it matter what type of apples you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I suppose some apples do bake better than others. I tend to use golden delicious, Braeburn or Gala apples -- and they always turn out yummy! Enjoy!
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ReplyDeleteI love a big, red, juicy apple. Great way to start the challenge, indeed!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the A-Z Challenge, blogging at Ross County Roundup and Write, Wrong or Indifferent.
Hi Marie Anne! Thanks for stopping by! Write on!
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