This time of year there is a bountiful harvest complete with bushels of apples and pears ripe to be eaten. There are so many health benefits of these fabulous fruits. There is a reason for the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” For one, apples contain the fat soluble fiber pectin. They also contain flavonoids such as quercetin which help the digestive track. Pears are an excellent source of vitamin C and help protect us from free radicals. It also contains vitamin E and the essential mineral copper. Here are some wonderful recipes from my Fitness Answer Meal Plan:
APPLE CRISP RECIPE
• 1 large apple
• 1 scoops of whey protein
• 1 cup low sugar vanilla yogurt
• cinnamon
• ¼ cup quick oats
Bake apple in microwave for 3 minutes. Stir warm apple in with other ingredients and bake in microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Makes 2 servings
FRUIT AND ALMOND PARFAIT
• 1 cup of low sugar vanilla yogurt
• 1 scoop of vanilla whey
• ½ cup of chopped apple
• ½ cup of chopped pears
• 4 teaspoons of slivered almonds
Mix apple and pear together and set aside. In separate bowl mix yogurt and whey together. Layer yogurt and fruit alternately in dessert glass. Sprinkle with almonds
CHICKEN APPLE PECAN SALAD
• 6 ounces of cooked chicken breast cut into cubes
• ½ cup of chopped celery
• ¾ cup of chopped green apple
• 2 ounces of chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon of raisins
• ½ Cup of Greek or low-fat plain yogurt
In medium bowl, stir together chicken, celery, apple, pecans and raisins. Fold the yogurt in gently and toss gently to coat.
TURKEY APPLE MAPLE SAUSAGE
• 8 oz. ground turkey
• 1tbsp. almond meal
• 1/2 cup shredded apple
• Dash of nutmeg
• Dash of cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. of sugar-free maple syrup
In a large bowl, combine turkey, almond meal, apple, syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. Shape mixture into two 1/2-inch-thick patties. Spray a large skillet with nonstick spray coating. Cook sausage over medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with one sunny-side egg.
PEAR COBBLER
• 1 large Bartlett pear, peeled and sliced
• 1 scoop of whey protein
• 1 cup of low sugar vanilla yogurt
• Dash of cinnamon
• ¼ cup of quick oats
Bake pear in microwave for 3 minutes. Stir warm apple in with other ingredients in microwave safe bowl. Bake in microwave for an additional two minutes. Makes 2 servings.
Joanne Sgro is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.