Apple Stacks Recipe

Spring has sprung and that means for me that means eating lighter. Like so many people, you may be adjusting your diet to get "summer ready", but I know that looks different for everyone. I have been focusing on eating more fruits and veggies as well as increasing my water intake and workouts.

This week's recipe is one of my favorites and it's actually one my "go-to" recipes when I need something filling and healthy. I first found this recipe when I began training for my first 5k in 2014. As usual, it quick, easy to prepare and family-friendly. Apple stacks are fun to make and eat because of the endless topping possibilities. You can make a simple snack or turn your stacks into an elaborate treat!

Did you know?

• Apples are high in fiber. One average sized apple contains almost twice the amount of fiber as one serving of a fiber supplement.
• Apples are high in malic acid. Apple juice, apple flesh, and apple cider vinegar all have a high malic acid content. This beneficial compound is helpful in treating conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and gallstones.
• Apple consumption may reduce the risk of cancer. Apples contain pectin, quercetin, procyanidins, and Vitamin C, which are all beneficial in the prevention of disease and cancer when consumed regularly.
• Apples are 25% air. This is why apples float!

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Apple Stacks
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: Enjoy Now!

Ingredients:

• Apples to slice
• Peanut butter or your favorite nut butter
• Granola
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Raisins, cranberries or chocolate chips
• Almond slivers, chopped walnuts or seeds​

Instructions:
Wash and dry your apples. Cut apples into circular slices, removing the core and seeds. Once you have your slices cut, spread the desired amount of peanut butter or nut butter onto each slice. Now it's time to add your toppings. Honey and granola are popular toppings, but you can also add raisins, chocolate chips and nuts. I like to finish with a light dusting of cinnamon on each slice. Once your apple slices are topped, you can stack them. Four or five slices make a great stack (anything more may topple over).

Notes:
Preparing to eat your apple stacks- after slicing your apples, you may want to coat them with a little lemon juice to keep them from browning. You may choose to leave the tops of your apple stacks plain (pictured) or covered with nut butter and toppings. If you are serving children, you may want to make sandwiched or small stacks with three apple slices.
Substitutions- any nut butter will work for this recipe, but my favorite is Earth Balance Creamy Peanut Butter and Coconut Oil Spread. It really takes this recipe up a notch!
Additional ingredients- try a variety of sweeteners and toppings with your oats. Peanuts or peanut butter chips, coconut shavings and nuts could also be added to your stacks. Honey is the favorite among the choice of sweeteners, but you can also use brown sugar, coconut sugar or agave syrup.

Enjoy!

For Your Information
This recipe is:

• Family-friendly
• Lactation-friendly

• Recommended for pregnancy and postpartum nutrition
• Recommended for cesarean & other post op healing