Apple Time

It's certainly Fall. With leaves of many colors blowing across the street. Bundling up with knitted scarves and woolen hats. Boots, gloves, a sip of hot apple cider. . .

photo via lockportemmanuelumc.org

APPLES - Remember the old "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."? Well whoever came up with that (maybe a physician) definitely knew what they were talking about. According to an article in whole health, Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D. wellness manager at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, suggests looking for the darkest apples in the bunch. Those are the ones that are the healthiest for you. So pick a Red Delicious over a Golden Delicious. And whatever you do, don't remove the peel. If you do, you're stripping this wonder fruit of valuable fiber and antioxidants.

Be sure to choose organic, as apples are high on the list of produce that is heavily sprayed with pesticide. By the way, the antioxidant quercetin is the kind that apples hold within their tasty selves. This protects against heart disease and asthma. And the soluble fiber lowers cholesterol. So go ahead--have an apple a day. In fact, have two. And think applesauce or sauteed apples as a side dish to sauteed tofu. Mix together with a bit of cinnamon and a dash of cardamon for a hint of India. 

Tofu French Toast

photo from the Care 2 site

(Adapted from The PETA Celebrity Cookbook, edited by Ingrid E. Newkirk (Lantern Books, 2002), this recipe appeared on the Care2 website.)

Since my daughter and I are planning to share French toast with blueberries and a generous pour of maple syrup--it IS Christmas after all and it's not a day to hold back--this recipe caught my eye. This vegan version has no eggs or milk, but is laden with tasty protein! And if you're a cinnamon-lover like I am, you can always put in way more cinnamon than the recipe calls for. BTW- cinnamon lowers both blood pressure and cholesterol and some studies indicate that it lowers blood sugar as well.

INGREDIENTS
8 slices vegan French bread (a couple of days old is best, ed note: and if you're not vegan, you can choose any type of bread you want--including Challah--with or without egg--which is awesome for French toast)
1 cup whole wheat flour (ed note: the pastry version, which is lighter)
2 cups soy or rice milk
4 tablespoons tofu
2 teaspoons cinnamon (ed note: consider this a minimum quantity)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

1. In a blender, blend all ingredients except the shortening and bread. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and dip the bread in, covering both sides.

2. Melt the shortening in a pan and place dipped bread in pan. Add extra cinnamon on top.

3. Brown on both sides. Serve topped with fresh fruit or maple syrup.

Serves 2.