EZ Homemade Applesauce

As the end of the apple season approaches us, it becomes easier and cheaper to get your hands on tons of apples.  From farmer markets trying to get rid of there supply before they rot and friends doing the same from apple trees they have in their yard, it seems that the opportunities to get your hands on them are plentiful.  So what do you do with them?

My husband recently brought home a bag full of sweet apples from work, dropped them on the counter and said, "Here you go".  Then, while picking my son up from preschool, his teacher says, "Do you want this bag of apples? They are very sweet."  Hmmm...what to do with my presents!  Applesauce of course!  It's easy, cheap and a healthy snacks for my little ones.  

The apples I received were very sweet, because of this I did not have to add any sweetener.  YEAH! These include Fuji, Gala or Golden Delicious.  

EZ Homemade Applesauce

What you will need:

Sweet Apples (amount depends on home much you want to make 

and how many you can get)

Water

Cinnamon (optional)

1. Peel your apples and cut into 1/2 inch slices.

2. Put about 1/2 inch of water into a pan of your choice.  Fill the pan with apple slices.  Bring to a boil over medium-heat.

3. Stirring occasionally, let your apples boil until softened.  10 - 20 minutes.

4. Place apples in a food processor or blender, limiting them amount of juice you add.  Blend until desired consistency.  Add cinnamon if desired.

That's it!  Delicious, healthy and easy!  This applesauce can be canned if you are able to make a large quantity.  For more details, research canning applesauce.

Are You Ready For A Transformation?

You need to attend The Healthy Edge LIVE event on November 7-8 so you can start seeing change in your life! The Healthy Edge CEO, Amber Thiel, will host this event along with some of the best fitness, wellness and health speakers from around the world! This program is locally grown and world renown. You don’t want to miss this life-changing event!

Click here to watch

Do you want to learn about how your body and mind work together and how you can actually take control of both to transform your life? Make sure to get your tickets as soon as possible so you can be confident that you will learn how to take control of your body. The Healthy Edge lifestyle was officially launched in Tacoma, WA in March of 2008. This lifestyle program is meant to help people with their weight challenges and has expanded to offer a complete 8-week online system, guidebook, cookbook and a coaches certification program. With over 350 coaches in 3 countries, The Healthy Edge is becoming a way of life for many families across the globe with no mention of the word “diet”, ever! Diets are a trillion dollar industry, but so many people are still unsatisfied with their body. Ninety-five percent of Americans who lose weight on a diet gain all the weight back (and then some) within 2 years! On top of that, diets are confusing and expensive. Common commercials or programs try to sell you quick and easy shortcuts every single day and it seems like there is no limit to what people are willing to do for the promise of weight loss.

Amber Thiel, Tacoma local and CEO of The Healthy Edge, was one of those people. As a young woman, she tried losing weight by any means necessary - from restricting calories and over-exercising, to battling with bulimia for 5 years after the devastating loss of her 45 year old mother to breast cancer. Amber lived in a daily obsession over her calories, workouts and the parts of her body she desperately wanted to change. She also had lingering health issues including depression, insomnia, acne, chronic fatigue and bowel issues. In her mid 20’s she was exhausted and ready to do something drastically different. She was ready to get healthy. A journey of emotional and physical healing freed Amber from the bondage she felt daily over her weight. The life shift was fueled by the memory of her mom and was rooted in her education in Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Human Nutrition and personal training. Despite the temptation of looking for a quick fix, Amber decided to work with her body instead of doing things to her body. For the first time in her life, she focused on the health inside of her body and the transformation began on the outside. Amber knew her new focus was the definition of freedom when releasing the 15 pounds that had always plagued her was an added bonus to how amazing she felt.
       
The journey didn’t stop there; between Amber’s sister, brother-in-law and husband, over 100 pounds were released. Amber and Brian began conducting weekly seminars in their home, helping over 250 people in one year. Amazing improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, weight loss, sleep apnea and other ailments demonstrated that the approach not only worked, it was transforming people’s lives. People from across North America will travel thousands of miles to experience this dynamic lifestyle program in a 2 Day event featuring Amber Thiel, CEO, delivering the NEW 8 week program LIVE. Don’t miss this life changing event!

Get your ticket today!!  Limited seating available!!

Healthy Halloween Treat Ideas

Halloween is just around the corner and all I can think of is all the candy my kids will accumulate while participating in the fun and festive Halloween activities.  From school parties to trick or treating and every other event they are invited to.  I love to see my kids dressed up in their costumes and how much fun they have trick-or-treating and seeing all their friends, but I DO NOT like all the junk food that ends up at my house.  Last year we talked about The Candy Exchange and I know I will be doing this again this year.  But I’ve also been thinking of other ways that I can make Halloween fun for them, and to get their minds off of the one thing I dread, CANDY OVERLOAD!

Here are 4 fun, healthy treats that you can make with your children or you can surprise them with when they get home from their Halloween festivities!  Enjoy!

1. Orange Pumpkins:  Peel your oranges.  Use a slice of  celery for the stem. That's it and you have these cute, fun snacks! I am going to make these for my sons Halloween party at school.  All naturally cute!

2.  Hard Boiled Ghost:  Hard boil as many eggs as you want ghosts.  Carefully peel off shell.  Slice off bottom of the egg so they will stand on their own.  Use olive pieces, raisin pieces or a black food of your choice for the eyes.  Using a small paring knife, cut out the shape of the mouth.  My kids love boiled eggs as after school snacks so these are perfect for me!  I let them make there ghost face and then smile as they bit the heads off!



3. Eyeballs: Wash a desired amount of grapes and peel.   To play a trick on your kids, be sure to have these ready and tell them to close their eyes. When they reach their hands into the bowl and feel these slimy eyeballs they won’t know what to think!  Another thing to pair with this (maybe not to eat) is cold spaghetti.  Feels like worms :)



4. Popcorn hands:  Use a clear plastic glove, non laytex for this treat.  For the fingernails, you can use the traditional candy corn or replace them with raisins.  Stuff the rest of the glove with popcorn.  Using a twisty tie or ribbon, tie the bottom of the glove shut. For a little extra fun, place a plastic Halloween ring on one of the fingers.  This is another wonderful idea for a school treat!   

 More healthy Halloween Snack Ideas!


What is your favorite Healthy Halloween Treat?

Foods That Fight Fat #7: Beans

Woohoo! We have reached number seven on our list of Foods That Fight Fat: BEANS.  Now before we get to the fat burning powers, here is a basic overview of the health benefits of beans. Beans are high in antioxidants, fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc. Eating beans regularly may decrease the risk of diabetes, heart disease, colorectal cancer, and helps with weight management.  Besides being super healthy, beans are also super versatile and super affordable!

So how can beans help you burn fat?  Well...beans are high in resistant starch. And a research from the University of Colorado suggests that if you choose foods high in resistant starch (also found in whole grains and not quite ripe bananas) you can increase your calorie burning power by up to 24% over the course of the day! Also, beans are hearty, so when incorporating them into a meal they help you feel full so you will tend to eat less.

We hope you have enjoyed our 7-part series!  Here is a delicious recipe to try!  Enjoy!

Warm Two-Bean Chard Salad
4 servings

1 (15.5 oz) can low-sodium chickpeas
1 (15.5 oz) can low-sodium black beans
1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Zest and Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh pepper
6 oz Swiss chard, stems removed
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1. Drain and rinse the beans.  Combine beans, minced jalapeno, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper in a large soup pot.  Add 3/4 cup water.  Cover; cook over medium heat until hot (about 5 minutes).
2. Stack the chard leaves, slice into thin ribbons; stir into hot bean mixture.  Cover and cook until the chard is soft and fully cooked (6-7 additional minutes).  Transfer to a serving bowl.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Serve hot.