Did you know that February is officially Apple Month? Until a few weeks ago I sure didn’t… which I actually find kind of odd considering how much I adore apples.
I’ve been an apple girl for ages. I always choose the apple pie or apple crisp over any other kind of dessert (props to my sister who literally makes the best (dairy free…hallelujah!) apple crumble I’ve ever tasted). I’ve relied on these crispy red fruits as a staple bedtime snack for years. And, some of my favourite memories are of when I would visit family friends at their apple orchards in British Columbia as a kid (fun fact: my Mom actually grew up on an orchard in BC!).
So today, on Apple Month Eve’s Day, I’ve teamed up with BC Tree Fruits to bring you my top 3 ways to enjoy this crispy, crunchy, sweet and sometimes tart, delicious, nutritious fruit!
It’s funny how everyone has their favourite apple. My hubby and I debate over this often – he prefers the ambrosia, I used to go for the gala, but now I’m turning into a pink lady fan. The more tart, the better!
My first go-to way for enjoying an apple is simple, but by no means boring.
Apple + Nut Butter.
That’s it, that’s all. Actually, sometimes I’ll get a little crazy and drizzle some honey over it.
The combo creates a nice balance of healthy fats and protein from the nut butter to balance out the carbohydrates from the natural sugars and fibre of the apple.
Second, I love me some sliced apple on a salad.
I do this a lot actually. When we make dinner at home, more often than not our veggie component is a simple salad to go alongside a protein and some complex carbohydrates. Let’s be honest, salad can get a little boring after a while, so slicing up an apple as a salad topper brings in some sweetness, texture and of course, bumps up the nutrition factor a little bit more!
Last, but most definitely not least, is another favourite apple combo of mine. Oats + Apples + Cinnamon + Coconut Palm Sugar.
Because… well, you can’t eat apple pie every day, but you can come close to it with this breakfast. Oatmeal can be so blah on it’s own so the addition of diced apple, slightly warmed by the oats, aromatic cinnamon, and a little sprinkle of the coconut palm sugar to cut the tartness, ooo yes!
Over the last few years I’ve been paying a lot closer attention to where my food actually comes from and I’ve really learned to look at labels and see who’s producing what I’m eating!
Unfortunately the closer I looked the more I realized that a lot of the “fresh” food I was consuming was actually coming from places far, far away and it made me wonder how “fresh” that food really was. As I started to buy more locally produced foods I came to develop a huge appreciate for local food producers like BC Tree Fruits, as there is that much more of an assurance for quality and care and passion put into producing good food. Plus it strengthens the local economy which is never a bad thing!
So now… the burning question myself and BCtreefruits have for you: what is your favourite kind of apple?!
Be sure to pop by BC Tree Fruits Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to say hello and let them know which apple you love best!
Have an awesome Sunday and an amazing Apple-Filled February! If you need more inspiration, here are some awesome recipes I’ve created using these delicious fruits on the blog in the past:
Green Apple, Pear & Parsley Cleansing Smoothie
Raspberry Apple Flax Smoothie
Revamped Cinnamon Apple Eggy Bread
Caramel Dipped Superfood Apple Treats
Sweet Apple, Chicken & Coconut Sauté
Autumn Chop Salad
Christal
Nutritionist in the Kitch
apples with almond butter and chocolate chips is where its at!
Ooo Yes!
Pink lady is my favourite too! My children would live on apples if I let them ; ) Thank you for the recipes, it will make a nice change.
Haha, that’s not a bad thing that your kids love them so much!! 🙂
I am with you, Gala and Pink Lady. If your mom came from a BC tree farm, I am wondering if she lived in the interior……..as in the Okanagan Valley? We have LOTS of apples here.
Hi Sheri! Mmm.. yes, I could go for a crispy and tart pink lady right now! 🙂 Yes, she was in the Okanagan! Not far outside of Kelowna!
I am not far out of Kelowna myself.
Nice! Lucky you – I just LOVE BC… we visit usually every summer for holidays!
Thanks Christal!! I love your posts inspirational and find your recipes very helpful. I also put apples in my salads and have for a long time, especially granny smith. I find them to be a great complement to the savoury components of my salads! My favourite apple is ironically the same as yours – Pink Lady.
Aloha my friend,
Caron
Hi Caron! Thanks so much for commenting! Ah yes, the Pink Lady seems to be the winner here!
Great post Christal! Hmmmm… I suddenly have a craving for an apple with some almond butter!
Mmmm yes! What’s your favourite kind of apple Kim?!