Fruits in season

Rainy Day Apple Sauce

Leave a comment

IMG_9474My little family went apple picking with friends this past weekend and stocked up on some yummy apples! Now that my baby is old enough to try different solids, along with spices, I decided to try making homemade apple sauce,  that way my husband and I could enjoy it too!
IMG_9429

Most recipes for apple sauce require sugar.  I do not use regular sugar, and I would never give my 7.5 month old sugar either, however I did use coconut sugar which, in moderation, has of a lot of benefits for the body, and will not harm my little one the way regular sugar will.  With it being the lowest on the Glycemic index at 35 (sugar is in the 60’s and honey is at 55), it means that it is metabolized more slowly and is easier in the system.  It is high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and most importantly iron which many babies need supplemented. Coconut sugar also keeps the blood sugar levels steady rather than spiked and crash later like regular cane sugar and even brown sugar.   So it adds sweetness and it is good for us… Doesn’t get better than that!

Ingredients-

IMG_9488

8 Apples peeled, cored, and sliced

11/2 cups water

IMG_9489

1/2 cup organic coconut sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions-

IMG_9490

Put everything in pot and cover.

 Let boil over medium heat for 10-20 minutes (gas and electric cook things differently).  When they are soft enough to mash, they are ready.  Mash with potato masher or fork.  Or, if you’ re like me, you can use your ninja/vitamix/food processor and blend until desired consistency.

IMG_9493Now that apples are in season, it is the perfect time to stock up on some home made applesauce! It is sweet and healthy and perfect for this time of year.

Seasonal Eater

2 Comments

10394796_251596705032762_8754957129229925519_n

I am a seasonal eater- meaning I eat what is in season when it comes to fruits and vegetables.  I buy local produce, and if I can not find it too local, I try not to go further than a 100 mile radius for my foods. Eating locally has many benefits to your body and to your taste buds.  When you are eating locally with the seasons, you are eating foods that are in your environment, as well as getting a wide variety of foods for each season that will help provide you with natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and more.  Why would you want to eat something that is from California when you live in New York?  Because of the traveling, foods are rotting, losing their natural flavors, and more chemicals than you should ever want to consume are being added into  your “good for you foods”.  Strawberries are typically in season in the late spring to early summer, that is the peak time to eat them and stock up on them.  Buying them in December is not benefiting you or your body, it is benefiting the manufacturer that added chemicals in it to make them look fuller and brighter after delivering them from out-of-state.

When it comes to eating seasonally, I get my produce either through my winter and summer CSA co-ops, or at the local farmers market.

I am a big supporter of the Peekskill Farmer’s Market in my area, and this year they have added many new vendors!

Buying foods through local CSA co-ops and farmers’ markets are not only beneficial to your body, but your wallet will thank you too!  Most farms and CSA’s are less than half the cost of what you would spend on produce in the supermarket and the foods are much more fresh!

This past weekend I had to stock up on fruits for my weekday smoothies.  In season now are-

Cherries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Plums

Peaches

Apricots

When you eat with the seasons, you are eating local and you are helping your body, taste buds, and your environment! Stop by your local farmer’s market or farm today and stock up on the produce that is in season now!