An Apple a Day !!                                                            

We've all heard that an apple a day can keep the doctor away. With the amount of nutrition contained in an apple, it's no wonder. One apple supplies your growing toddler with vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, iron, fiber, calcium,

phosphorus, to name a few.

We have some creative ways to warm up your child to this wholesome fruit.

Apple Smiles:

What You'll Need:
* 1 medium apple, cored and sliced
* Peanut butter
* Miniature marshmallows

What To Do:

Spread peanut butter on one side of an apple slice.
Place three or four marshmallows in the peanut butter to make "teeth."
Top the marshmallows with another apple slice.
Squeeze carefully to stick together and see the apple smile!

Apple Toast:

What You'll Need:
* 1 slice whole-wheat bread
* 1 small, tart apple
* 1 slice Swiss cheese
* Sugar and ground cinnamon to taste

What To Do:

Toast the bread to desired darkness.
Wash the apple and prick the skin with a fork.
Put the apple on a plate and microwave it on high power for one to two minutes. (The apple should cook but stay firm.)
Cut the apple into 1/4-inch slices. (Be careful because the apple will be hot!)
Cover the toasted bread with the apple slices.
Sprinkle it with some cinnamon and sugar, and then cover it with the Swiss cheese.
Microwave it on medium power for 20 seconds or until the cheese melts. Serve.

Baked Apples :

What You'll Need:
* 4 apples, peeled and cored, but left whole
* 2 tablespoons raisins
* 1/2 cup orange juice
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

What To Do:

Dip the apples into the orange juice to coat.
Stuff the raisins inside the apple, then place in a shallow baking dish.
Sprinkle the cinnamon over the apples.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes.
The apples can be served warm or cold.

Apple Oatmeal:

What You'll Need:
* 2 cups old-fashioned oats
* 5 cups apple juice or apple cider
* 1/2 cup chopped dried apples
* 1/2 cup raisins, optional
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* Dash of salt

What To Do:

Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan.
Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for about six minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve warm.

Try out these recipes and let me know the results !! :)