Snap Crackle Crunch!

One of my fondest family outing memories involved apples. It was a perfect autumn day. The air was crisp and the sun was warm on our skin. It was cool enough that we had to wear a light weight jacket and long pants. It was the kind of day you long for after a hot and humid August. My family, including my immediate family minus mom, (who stayed behind promising us a delicious dinner in exchange for a bushel of apples), my aunt,uncle and cousins crammed into the car and headed to the orchard.

We kids were young teenagers at the time. I remeber what fun we had carrying on in the car and out in the orchard. We played well together and that day was no exception. I remember the boys lopping apples at us from over the tree tops and our parents yelling at us for wasting food. There was nothing wastful about that day, as it produced a bushel full of apples and a heart full of memories.

Picking apples is a fun and inexpensive activity you can do with family and friends of all ages. Check out this website for an orchard near you.

http://www.allaboutapples.com/orchard/pa.htm

Fact:Did you know that apples don't contain any fat, cholesterol or sodium.

Benefit: apples a heart healthy food

Fact: Apples have lots of fiber

Benefit: Fiber helps promote heart health and regularity

Fact:apples contain small amounts of potassium

Benefit: Potassium helps to promote and maintain a healthy blood pressure

Fact: apples are also a good source of antioxidants

Benefit: antioxidants help prevent certains forms of cancer

For some ideas on how to add apples to your diet check out this website:

www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id1961

For a full chart of the different variety of apples and their uses check out:

http://www.bestapples.com/varieties/varieties_usagechart.shtml

Just can't get enough apple pie, but don't want all those calories? Try this lower calorie alternative without sacrificing all that wonderful flavor.

Micro-Baked apples

Ingredients:

4 baking apples

1 1/2 Tbsp margarine

1/3 cup brown sugar

3 Tbsp chopped walnuts

1/4 cup apple juice or water

3 Tbsp raisins

Directions:

1. Core apples

2. Combine margarine and sugar.

3. Add raisinsand nuts . Stuff the cavity of the apple with this mixture.

4. Place apples in individual microwave safe dishes. Pour 1 tablespoon of apple juice or water over each apple.

5.Cover with wax paper and place in microwave. Cook at high speed for 8 minutes or until tender.

Makes 4 servings

Nutritional informations: calories 253, fat 8 g, fiber 3 g, sodium 58 mg.