Steamed Apples Covered in Melted Peanut Butter, Topped With Cinnamon and Nutmeg!

Last month I was reading my subscription to the Readers Digest magazine and there was one particular article that really made me come to realization....My realization was how MUCH sugar I truly consume and how harmful it can be (in large amounts). This article was about the negative effects of sugar to the human and how addiction to sugar can easily go unnoticed. Towards the end of the article I was disgusted and wanted to change my diet immediately!

Before I go into a long rant about sugar I'd like to briefly talk about my eating habits. I'm a mother who takes care of my son all day here at home so I tend to find myself snacking all the time!! I tend to eat pretty healthy for my breakfast, lunch, and dinner (rarely eating out is key!!). However, it's another story when it comes to snacking. I quickly walk into the pantry and grab a granola bar, a cookie or even a handful of chips (that always leads to another handful). I always find myself searching for "healthy snacks" on Pinterest or Google and I find these amazing looking goodies, but for one reason or another I never end up following through.

So here is my chance to start my own healthy snacking journey and hopefully you can enjoy it too! I'll start with one of my favorites to make, but I'll continue to post more healthy and easy snacks soon.

In honor of the beginning of autumn I'd like to share a warm, cozy, delicious snack that was Really filling. Ready for this....

Steamed Apples Covered in Melted Peanut Butter, Topped With Cinnamon and Nutmeg!

Yum Yum Yum!!!

All it takes is:

10 Minutes of your time (both prepping and cooking!)
1 Large Apple of your choice
2 Tbs. of Peanut Butter (try to get the natural, that way no partially hydrogenated oils a.k.a. trans fat)
1 Tsp. water
Cinnamon and Nutmeg to your taste!


I started by dicing up the apple into bit size pieces and placing them into a saucepan

Then, I placed about one teaspoon into the saucepan and apples and covered it. I let them cook over medium-high heat for about five minutes (or until the consistency you like, I wanted fairly mushy, not baby food but not al dente)

**There may be some water left in the pan, I just poured the apples into a strainer to get rid of the excess water**

I put my peanut butter into a microwave safe bowl and cooked it for about 30 seconds to 1 min. Once it was melted enough I took the apples in tossed them into the bowl and then stirred it around. Top with cinnamon and nutmeg and that's it! (I promise in time I'll get better with my pictures, because this doesn't look all that appetizing but believe me..it is).

I'm telling you, making (and of course, eating it) will make you so incredibly happy. :)

Lovely Music and How it Helped Me!

As I sat here this morning listening to some music I came to realize just how important music is to me. I am the type to listen to music to match my mood and activity taking place. But no matter what I'm doing or feeling there is just one band that knows how to put a smile on my face. I can't even express how happy I am that this band exists! You, too should take a look at this great indie folk band called The Head and The Heart. Check them out at their website!

www.theheadandtheheart.com



From their first album, The Head and The Heart I recommend giving a listen to:

Lost In My Mind
Down In The Valley
Rivers and Roads







From their second album, Lets Be Still I recommend giving a listen to:

Another Story
Shake
Homecoming Heroes









Okay, now I feel like I'm promoting their band..I just truly find so much happiness in their music I want the same for you! :)


So, I want to go back and talk about my realization on how important music is to me.

When I came home from the hospital after giving birth to my baby boy, trying to rest and relax was much needed and listening to music was how I did it. There are so many stories I heard about postpartum depression and it can truly happen to anyone. So I decided to do my best at staying positive and relaxed through my biggest life changing experience. Boy do I remember the first month of post-baby, it was really hard! Thankfully I had a wonderful husband and other members of our family visit and help us out for the first few weeks. However, there was a part of me when I'd be alone whether it be nursing the baby or when my husband would head to work, that I needed something to keep my spirits high. Of course I was so overjoyed with our healthy, beautiful new born baby but for me it was so hard with the very quick and dramatic change. Getting no more than two hours of straight sleep, being in pain from child birth, my internal organs felt so jumbled and different, learning how to nurse, understanding my baby, etc.

For me this was surrounding myself with music I loved. Not only was the music I love soothing to the baby, but for me too! So I hope that (not only newly moms out there) but everyone in general find some music that makes you happy, start jamming and smiling :)

Happy Monday!