If you read the last post you know how awesome apples are for your health, so definitely go with the “apple a day keeps the doctor away” practice. As delicious as apples are, though, eating them plain every day could get a little boring after a while, so here are some other awesome ways to eat them. And if that’s not cool enough for you, check out the other ways you can use apples.

• Apple pie. Of course you know about this; apple pie is a favorite fall dessert. Make sure you serve it warm with some good vanilla ice cream!
• Applesauce. I can’t think of an easier or healthier dessert to make than apple sauce. Peel, core, and slice as many apples as you want and put them in a pot. Add a drop of water, some maple syrup, a squirt of lemon juice, and cook until soft but not too mushy. Mash it right in the pot with a spoon for chunky applesauce, or use an immersion blender for a finer texture. I love this hot or cold.
• Sliced with nut butter. Spread apple slices with almond or peanut butter for a delicious, high protein snack.
• Apple crisp or cobbler. Another fall fave.
• Apple chips. Slice thinly and arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with cinnamon if you like, and bake at 225 degrees for one hour. Flip over and bake for another hour or until they are crisp.
• Ripen fruit. Place apples in a bag with unripe fruit. Apples release a gas that speeds up ripening, and your fruit should be ready to eat in a day or so.
• Fix salty soup. Don’t you hate it when you over-salt your soup? Fix it by adding some apple wedges and cooking for another 10 minutes. The apple will absorb the extra salt and the soup will be perfect.
• Moist roasted chicken. Place an apple in the cavity of the chicken for moist, delicious results.
• Soften brown sugar. When your brown sugar gets too hard, an apple can save it! Place it in a sealed bag with an apple wedge for a day.
• Apple stamps. Here’s a great craft idea for kids: Cut apples in half and cut out the core. Dip in paint to use as stamps with an interesting shape.
• Face mask. Grate apples and mix with some honey. Apply to face for a few minutes to reduce inflammation and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Who knew?!?

A medium apple has about 80 calories, a satisfying crunch, and tons of good stuff. You can’t go wrong with an apple!