Healthified Apple Crisp

I love this time of year, the weather starts to cool down and apples are in season.  And when apples are in season I start craving apple crisp!  This is a dessert that can be loaded with butter and sugar, and while it tastes delicious it really doesn't help when you are trying to eat healthier.  Give this healthified version a try, it has 50% less fat, 33% more fiber and 29% fewer calories than your normal crisp.  If you want a little splurge top it with a dollop of fat-free whipped topping or low-fat vanilla ice cream.  Give this a try, you will love it and you will love the way your house will smell as it bakes!

Healthified Apple Crisp
8 Servings

6 cups sliced unpeeled apples (6 medium)
1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger

Heat oven to 375.  Spray an 8-inch square glass baking dish.  In a medium bowl mix apples, apple juice concentrate, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon until well mixed.  Spread into baking dish.  In same medium bowl mix remaining ingredients until crumbly.  Spread over apples.  Bake uncovered 25-35 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is browned.

1 serving: 190 Calories and 6g fat.

Are You a 'One Serving' Package Eater?

The best cartoon I have ever seen was of a man standing at the complaint desk at the Grocery store with an empty Potato Chip bag. He stated to the clerk, "It says there are 16 servings, and there was only ONE!"

I love that, but for some of us, an open bag IS an empty bag. It can happen so quickly. Especially if you are reading, or driving, or bored, watching TV, or whatever other way you mindlessly eat like me!

The best idea I have heard is to portion a new bag of chips, crackers, or whatevers (that you really should not even have in your house!) into one-serving size baggies. Even if you end up eating two of them, at least you are aware you ate TWO!

5 Healthy Zero Calorie Foods

So-called-"zero-calorie" foods, like celery and cucumbers contain fewer calories than the body uses to break them down.
They are especially helpful if they keep you from eating higher calorie foods!

Cucumbers

This yummy treat packs vitamins K and C, potassium, and a compound called silica, which helps to build and maintain connective tissue such as muscle, tendons, ligaments and bone.

Celery

Love to crunch? This is your veggie with only about 6 calories for a medium stalk.
Vitamins A and K, fiber, folate, and potassium are in this treat. It also contains compounds which can relax muscle tissue in artery walls, and increase blood flow,, helping to lower blood pressure.


Apricots
Beta-Carotene is just brimming in this delicious fruit. Apricots can help fight cancer and heart disease as well as protect your eyesight,

Asparagus
One half cup of cooked asparagus will set you back only 20 calories. Lots of vitamins K and A, plus B vitamins such as folic acid. B Vitamins play a role in breaking down sugars and starches, eating asparagus may help regulate blood sugar and fend off type 2 diabetes.

APPLE
Eating your apple with the skin on will help you utilize the metabolism-boosting fiber in it, as well as ursolic acid, a compound that may prevent the pounds from piling on, according to a new study from the University of Iowa.

Hearty Whole Grain Basil Bread

I found a recipe for this bread and it intrigued me.  It is adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe and has all sorts of grains and flours in it.  Who doesn't love a fresh loaf of bread hot from the oven?  I went right to the store and found all of the ingredients in bulk and in the small amounts I needed it turned out to be a very inexpensive loaf of bread.  Give this a try...it is delicious hot from the oven with a little butter on.  Or toasted with some raspberry jam.  Try putting some cheese between two slices for a grilled cheese sandwich.  Its hearty and will not disappoint.

Hearty Whole Grain Bread

Two 1/4 ounce envelopes active dry yeast
2 1/4 cups warm water
2 tsp honey
3 T pure maple syrup
4 T unsalted butter (melted)
3 cups whole wheat pastry flour (I used whole wheat bread flour)
1 cup whole grain all purpose flour (I substituted whole wheat bread flour)
2 cups all purpose flour
4 tsp coarse salt
1 cup fresh chopped basil (large chunks)
1/3 cup millet
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup flax seeds
1 T chia seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds


Soak millet in 1/2 cup warm water for 20 minutes, set aside.  In separate bowl add 1/2 cup warm water and sprinkle yeast in it.  Add 2 tsp honey and whisk together until combined.  Set aside for 10 minutes until foamy/frothy.

In separate bowl add flours and salt and whisk together.  Once yeast is ready, pour yeast into a mixing bowl fitted with dough hook.  Add melted butter, 1 1/2 cups warm water and 3 T maple syrup.  Mix until combined.  Then add 3 cups of flour mix.  Mix on low speed until smooth.  Then add in millet (plus water in bowl) and the rest of the seeds/oats and basil. 

Mix at low speed until combined.  Then add in remaining flour until dough is combined and somewhat smooth. 

On a floured surface, knead dough for about 5 minutes, or continue kneading in your mixer until a smooth ball forms.

Place dough in greased bowl and cover.  Let rise for an hour or so until it doubles in size.

When dough has risen, punch it down.

Divide dough in half and form in to two loaves, place in bread pans and cover and let rise until they have doubled again in size.  You could also cut it into small chunks of dough and make it in to rolls.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  When dough is ready bake for about 40 minutes.  Bread will sound hollow when you tap it and a thermometer inserted in it should be 190 degrees and rising.

This will create the most amazing smell in your house!