Fallspiration

In case you're in denial, snapped this yesterday. 

I don’t know about you but I’m over the grieving of summer gone by. You know what I’m talking about “I wish it lasted a little longer” or just the last everything “last dinner outside” or “last hurrah”. As if one cannot eat outside or have “hurrahs” in September. But if some suffer from over-kvechting, my attitude toward the seasons (and life in general) is more ADD in nature. Maybe it’s the planning gene but during the summer I’m excited about fall, when I’m on a vacation and should be “in the moment” I’m onto the next moment.

No matter what your “seasonal” issues are Labor Day was yesterday, kids (except mine) are back in school, limbs and midriffs will soon be covered (amen) and hey- the shrinks are back.

And because everyone isn’t like me doing their “summer’s over and it’s ok” jig, let me try to take your mind off it. Here’s some fall inspiration or “fallspiration” if you will

 

If you're feeling summer-sentimental this is the antidote

Pumpkin  No-Yo

If you’re in NYC, go to Hu Kitchen and try their No Yo Pumpkin Parfait. With pumpkin, maple, coconut milk and this crunchy goodness on top, you’ll forget summer I promise. And it’s grain free, gluten free and soy free.

Pears 

Carolyn’s just back from a trip to Portland aka pear central. As she said “pears are the new apples”, they’re loaded with fiber (5g/pear) and antioxidants. We’re loving crunchy boscs and using them waldorf-style  in salads and poaching them for a sweet dessert (if Carolyn can do it…)

New Season, new chip

 If the tortilla chip epitomizes summer, fall is about veggie chips. How about Snip Chips made from parsnips? Also loving and constantly selling out of Brussels Bytes (maybe I’m not the only fall fan)

Ancient Grains

It may be time to say goodbye ceviche and hello comfort food, healthy comfort food.

Ancient grains are something you’re going to be hearing more about. I’m loving this cookbook Cook With Ancient Grains. Ancient grains haven’t been changed or mangled (that’s one of the issues with wheat is how much it has changed. This cookbook has interesting uses for quinoa, chia and kaniwa. Even Udi’s the great, gluten free company has a line utilizing these ancient grains. We may have tried their jalapeno crisps on the way to Vermont.

New Tools

You may be excited about new clothes, for me it’s new tools – I have an Excalibur dehydrator I’m ready to put that summer produce in. I’ll be telling you all about my adventures with it but maybe you want to try a spiralizer or a new juicer?

No more portion distortion (or just distortion)

If you’re ready to buckle down you need your “food supplies”. I first learned about these stainless food containers from Food Matters. For lunches I use 1 for the salad or veggie portion of my meal and the other for protein. They’re great for transporting food but I use them at home to eyeball portions. 

What's Your Goal?

Summer sort of goal-less by nature but now it’s time for a challenge, Carolyn and I doing the 30-day push up challenge. Of course Fitbit can help if you’ve logged more hours on a lounge chair or car than on your feet. We’ve also had massive fun with this weighted hula hoop from Canyon hoops, we even had our office doorman hula hooping on side walk (don’t think men are the only people who cat call or honk to show “support).

Metabolism Tea

How about “just what metabolism ordered” Pu-Her tea. It’s from the same plant as green tea but it’s fermented. Crazy things happen when you ferment and some of the bacteria contain ingredients. that can lower LDL (bad) and raise HDL. Drink an hour after a meal. The Chinese have credited it with weight loss, our clients would agree. 

And I don’t want to spill all my Sept secrets. Be sure you’re signed up for our Monthly Morsels newsletter. We’re revealing (love the nutrition drama) our ultimate appetite squasher in Monday’s email.

What’s your Fallspiration or what are you most excited about? Any of our fall favorites you’re going to check out? If you’ve been away welcome back, let me know if there are any topics you want to see covered.

I say Hello

Image via Verrle Duoh

I suffer from a constant state of “what’s next?”  This even extends to the seasons. I love leaving the office while it’s still light, a good margarita and travel (Croatia-wow); however, you will not find me uttering “last beach day of the season”. Nope, I’m craving a cup of tea, football and cozy sweaters.  I understand you may be sad to see summer go but I’m ok with it. As the Beatles said “You say goodbye and I say hello”.

Maybe I can get you excited for all that fall offers.

Goodbye to weekends away, houseguests and loosey goosey

Hello (Virgo, hand raised) to routine, schedules and some structure which isn’t a bad thing.

Goodbye to watermelon and peaches (not that we can't get anything, any season but enough already)

Hello to apples, so satisfying and versatile. Ever try to nut butter a peach?

Goodbye "its too hot out" and other excuses

Hello to  crisp morning runs, maybe training for a race

Goodbye to gazpachos and trendy chilled soups.

Hello to chili, lentil soup and other “soups that eat like a meal”

Goodbye to summer squash

Hello winter squash and pumpkin (this one is no contest)

Goodbye to adulterated seafood- lobster rolls and fried clams and other foods that prove summer isn’t really all that healthy

Hello to whole foods: salmon and Brussels sprouts and Whole Foods too if you’ve been out of town.

In our family, goodbye to the dart frog Pirate but

Hello to a puppy hmn…

Goodbye to summer reading (I loved The Interestings, didn't love Middlesteins) hello to cookbook reading (Wellfed, 50 Shades of Kale others)

Goodbye to the BBQ (those grill marks are carcinogenic, can I sat that now that it's Sept?) and please let’s say goodbye to the hot dog for a while

Hello to the slow cooker and roasting.

Goodbye to packing your bags

Hello to unpacking the pounds 

Goodbye to skin cancer (I’m knocking wood)

Hello to the Little Book of Thin  now available in preorder, you can say "hello" to this more than once.

Goodbye to "I'll do it after Labor Day,"

Hello to starting now

And hello to all of you, it's been a nice blogging break but looking forward to writing, connecting and hearing about your fall plans.

Which “fall” items above are you most excited about? Do you prefer summer or fall? Do you think focusing on “what’s next” is a good thing or a bad thing? Have you ordered your copy of LBT?

Post Halloween Baked Apple "Methadone"

For those of you having trouble saying goodbye to the Halloween candy, we’ve passed the 48-hour point and it’s time for your stash to go. We realize this may be traumatizing and so, as a healthy consolation prize, we’re offering up one of our fall favorites.  Here are the results of Abbie’s baked apple test kitchen.

Many clients say fruit doesn't "do it" for them when it comes to dessert. With that in mind, the Foodtrainers crew decided that what we need is a fruit-based dessert that is easy, delicious, and healthy. Luckily, I had a bushel of apples from my local CSA, so I set out to formulate a baked apple recipe that could satisfy any sweet tooth. The other directive was to make something speedy, which meant recipe testing with the microwave. Who wants to wait an hour for a baked apple when it can be ready in less than five minutes?

At first I expected the microwave to dampen the flavor or make the apple mushy, but I found that it actually kept the apples tender without falling apart. The trick is to cook the apple in the microwave with some liquid, a touch of sweetener, and some dried fruit and spices, then top it with toasted nuts and a dollop of yogurt after cooking for some added depth of flavor. So next time you are looking for something healthy to satisfy your sweet cravings, look no further than your bowl of apples (which, of course, you always have on hand), and your microwave! I prefer the Honey crisp apples for this recipe. They hold their shape and are just sweet enough,

The following recipe is an adaptation of the Baked Apples recipe from Eating Well and a few other recipes. 

Microwave "Baked" Apples

1 serving*

Ingredients:

1 apple

1/4 cup apple cider or water

2 teaspoons dried fruit, chopped, such as cranberries, raisins, or dried apricots

1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

Pinch of cinnamon

dollop of plain yogurt

2 teaspoons toasted nuts, chopped, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds

Preparation

1. Core the apple, leaving about 1/4 inch at the bottom. 
2. Place the apple in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour apple cider or water around it, there should be about 1/2 inch of liquid filling the bowl.
3. Spoon the dried fruit into the apple, pour honey or maple syrup inside the apple, and sprinkle the inside with cinnamon.
4. Microwave, uncovered, on high power until the apple is tender, approximately 3-5 minutes. Test with a fork at 3 minutes and cook in additional 1-minute increments if necessary as all microwaves differ. 
5. Allow the apple to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Serve topped with a dollop of yogurt and toasted nuts.

*Add 1 minute of cooking time for each additional apple.

Note: If you prefer to use the oven for this recipe, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the apple in a small baking dish instead of a microwave safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes.

The result is a delicious, comfort food dessert much better for you than a Butterfinger.

Is your Halloween candy still around? Do you like fruit desserts? Have you made baked apples? How does your recipe differ? Here are some pictures from our Halloween celebration.

Cheers! Dark and Stormys with Strawesome straws

All dressed up.

With friends, yup that's me 1/2 Amy Winehouse and 1/2 Ghostbuster

My ghostbuster and stay puff man, XO

Our giveaway candy, went fast greedy trick or treaters this year

My whole wheat "fingers" came out a little chubby, who ya gonna call...Foodtrainers!