Healthy Tots!

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Grilled Peanut Butter & Apple Sandwiches 

• 4 slices of bread
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• coconut oil for grilling

Mix the PB, syrup and cinnamon together and spread 1 tablespoon on each slice of bread. Put half the apples in one sandwich and half in the other. Grill with a few teaspoons of coconut oil over medium heat.

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Apple Pie Oatmeal

I’m always trying to come up with clever ways to eat pie for breakfast while still maintaining my dignity, which is what led me to create this oatmeal recipe.

For the apples:

• 1 teaspoon of vegan margarine
• 1 1/2 cups of diced fuji apple, skin kept on (one large apple ought to do it)
• 1/4 raisins
• 3 T. water
• 1 T. pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tiny dash of ground nutmeg
• 1 tinier dash of ground cloves

For the oatmeal:

• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• dash of sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup instant oats

Directions:

Start with the apples. Melt margarine in a medium non-stick skillet over medum heat. Saute apples and raisins for a minute and then add the remaining ingredients. Cover skillet and turn the heat down. Simmer apples, stirring occasionaly, for about 10-15 minutes until they become soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

While the apples are cooking, bring the almond milk, salt, and vanilla extract to a boil. Add oats and stir for a few minutes then remove from heat and cover for a few more minutes until the oats thicken. Now stir in apples and any juices from the pan.

I think this oatmeal is plenty sweet, especially for kids, but if you really want that extra aple pie taste, add a pinch of brown sugar and a little pat of margarine to each serving.

A note on the apples: You want to use apples that are naturally sweet, like fuji, gala, braeburn, or golden delicious. This way you won’t have to add a lot of extra sweeteners.

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Homemade Applesauce

If you’ve never had homemade applesauce you are missing out big time. It tastes so much better than the stuff at the grocery store.

• 6 large Fuji Apples, peeled, cored, and diced (you want a naturally sweet apple so you don’t have to add any sugar)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 3-inch cinnamon stick

Put everything in a thick bottomed pot and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer and cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples begin to break down and become soft. Remove lid and discard cinnamon stick. Allow apples to cool then mash them to desired consistency with a potato masher. If the applesauce is too thick add a little more water.

This applesauce is great for snacking or baking.

Tiny Tot! Variation: Place cooked apples in a blender and blend for about a minute until completely smooth.

Dessert Variation: Add agave nectar or maple syrup to taste and sprinkle with cinnamon.

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Apple Slices

You guys! Apples and peanut butter just got a whole lot cooler. Slice them into rings and add your favorite toppings.

Topping Ideas:

• Peanut Butter
• Almond Butter
• Justin’s Nut Butter
• Dark Chocolate Chips
• Carob Chips
• Granola
• Nuts
• Dried Fruit