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Savor the Season 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, including planning and preparing meals and snacks. Michigan Apples wants to help by sharing some meal ideas that will help your family savor the flavors of fall while making mealtime simple, tasty and nutritious.

Michigan Apples are available in abundance in the fall and there is a variety of family favorites to choose from and enjoy. Check out our ideas for incorporating their delicious benefits into your daily meal plan.

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 the quick and easy Apple Pumpkin Muffins below.

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 nutrition bonus with both pumpkin and Michigan Apples.

Makes approx. 12-16 muffins

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 pumpkin puree
1/2 cup canola oil
1 large Michigan Honeycrisp apple, peeled, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

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

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

Recipe source: HealthyFamilyProject.com

Enjoy an apple a day – Apples are one of the most popular fruits to consume and they contain k

ey 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!

While we all love to eat a fresh, crispy, raw apple as a snack, apples can also be used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes, or as a quick additional to meals. Here are some simple ways to enjoy them all day long:

At 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

At 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 sauteed 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

At 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

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

Seasonal celebrations and activities – F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that “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. Here are some practical ways to make the most of the Autumn season:

Meet the Author

Shari Steinbach

Shari Steinbach, MS RDN
President
Shari Steinbach & Associates, LLC

For the past 26 years, Shari has worked as a dietitian in the grocery industry for two major retailers in the Midwest. In her retail roles, Shari has managed consumer health communication, health influencer partnerships, nutrition programs, and solution-selling strategies.

Shari has served as a nutrition expert and corporate spokesperson, providing food and nutrition advice through monthly television spots on ABC, NBC and FOX affiliates and local radio segments. She has also conducted numerous educational presentations to community groups and professional organizations throughout the country. Her timely nutrition and food product information and strategic social media messages have reached millions of consumers.