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Savor the Fall with Michigan Apples

After months of hot summer days and weekends by the pool, fall can come as a bit of a shock. Whether you have kids transitioning back to school and sports, or you’re getting back to a more structured work schedule, it can be tough to balance all you have to do and still savor the fall season. And that doesn’t include planning and preparing healthy and satisfying meals and snacks for you and your family!

Michigan Apples is here to help by sharing some meal ideas that will help your family savor the flavors of fall while making mealtime simple, tasty, and nutritious.

Incorporating Michigan Apples Into Your Daily Meal Plan This Fall

Powerful Produce Pairings

Combining nutrient-rich fall produce together in recipes can result in some powerful pairings for both taste and nutrition. For example, Michigan Apples in combination with pumpkin or squash provides a colorful dish packed with needed nutrients like fiber, vitamins C and A. Try this Baked Squash with Apples and Chicken Sausage or another Apple Harvest Recipe from Michigan Apples.

These Apple Pumpkin Muffins are perfect for all those days when you just need something quick to grab on the way out the door. They are super simple to make with a few pantry staples and have a nutritional bonus with both pumpkin and Michigan Apples.

Apple Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

Makes approx. 12-16 muffins

Nutrition information per serving: 164 calories; 8g fat; 3g protein; 22g carbohydrates; 2g fiber; 103mg sodium

INGREDIENTS:

• • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 (15 oz.) can of pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 large Michigan Honeycrisp apple, peeled, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
   2. Mix flour, sugar, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
   3. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Mix in the pumpkin puree and oil.
   4. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in Michigan Apple.
   5. Line the muffin pan with baking cups.
   6. Fill each muffin cup ¾ full and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the toothpick inserted in the muffin comes out clean.

Recipe source: HealthyFamilyProject.com

Enjoy An Apple a Day

Apples are one of the most popular fruits to consume, and they contain key nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants. They are also very filling, considering their low calorie count, and studies have shown that eating apples can have multiple benefits for your health. These health benefits include lowering blood sugar levels and supporting heart health, so eating at least one Michigan Apple a day is a great idea! And with several Michigan Apple varieties, why not try them all?

While we all love to eat a fresh, crispy, raw apple as a snack, apples can also be used in various sweet and savory recipes or as a quick addition to meals.

Here are some simple ways to enjoy apples all day long:

Breakfast

• • Top your hot cereal with chopped apples, walnuts, and cinnamon
  • Add apples to your favorite smoothie
  • Stir chopped apples into muffins or quick bread

Lunch or Dinner

• • Add chopped apples and feta cheese to your green salad. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Serve pork tenderloin or pork chops with a drizzle of maple syrup and sautéed apples
  • Add thinly sliced apples to your grilled cheese, tuna, or turkey sandwich
  • Roast root veggies like winter squash, carrots, and potatoes with chunks of apples

Snack Time

• • Snack on apple slices with a yogurt or peanut butter dip
  • Add chopped apples to a fruit salad made with other fresh or canned fruits

Fall Family Activities 

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” Autumn is a season of change and a time when anything seems possible under the bright blue skies and cool fall air. Take a break from the busyness of work and life so you don’t miss all that fall has to offer.

Make the most of the season with this fall activities checklist:

1. Go apple picking at a local Michigan Apple orchard.
2. Visit a cider mill and then make a batch of Hot Mulled Michigan Apple Cider.
3. Make this delicious Apple Walnut Snack Cake.
4. Take a hike and enjoy the fall foliage.
5. Break out the slow cooker and enjoy this savory Spiced Beef and Apple Stew or this Easy Apple Breakfast Cobbler.
6. Take some fresh Apple Salsa and tortilla chips to your next tailgate party.
7. Enjoy a cozy night in and prepare an apple-inspired meal like this Cider Glazed Chicken.
8. Make a batch of caramel apples for your child’s school or neighborhood Halloween party.
9. Pack a fall picnic and enjoy it in a local park or nature reserve. Don’t forget the Michigan Apples!
10. Check out these fun kid activities!

Find more tips for adding the tasty nutritional benefits of Michigan Apples to your meals.