Real Food Basics

What to Do with Apples – Real Food Basics

You’ve probably heard the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, and it’s true that apples contain a lot of important vitamins and minerals, but what most people don’t think about is HOW you eat the apple affects your body as well.

Apples are probably one of the most common fruits you can think of, but not everywhere. My parent’s just came back from Sri Lanka where we’re a part of funding an after school program on the eastern part of the island. My parents now went to meet with the teacher and some of the students that have been going through the program, and one question my mom asked the children was what their favorite fruit was. Most of them said mangoes, some said pineapple, but some said APPLES with big eyes, noting that apples are very expensive on Sri Lanka since they only grow high up in the mountains where it’s colder. Well, they nearly fainted when they heard that my parents have 4 apple trees in their garden!! All that to say, it’s interesting how something as “plain” and “common” as an apple is to us, is the most exotic fruit on the planet for people living on Sri Lanka, and probably other countries as well. :)

Only eat the whole apple – don’t drink apple juice!
Don’t eat fruit by itself on an empty stomach as this will spike your blood sugar and cause sugar cravings.
Eat fruit with protein and/or fat. (This will stabilize your blood sugar.)
Eat fruit as dessert, after a meal.

My favorite way of eating apples as a snack is together with almond butter or cheese. YUM!! :)

What to make with apples:

Real Food Basics

What to Do with Eggplant – Real Food Basics

Eggplant, or aubergine as it’s called in most of the world, is one of few fruits that you should never eat raw (yes it’s actually a fruit, not a vegetable!). Because of it’s unique skin, eggplant is one produce that is not as important to buy organic.

Eggplant is often called “poor man’s meat” because when cooked well it has a little similar taste to meat. My favorite meat & eggplant combination is ground meat and cubed eggplant, fried together with chopped onion in coconut oil. Add some salt, pepper and a bit of cinnamon (sounds weird but it’s really good!). You can also add some cayenne pepper. Serve this dish together with cauliflower rice or add some cooked beans and eat it with a spoon. The most important thing i that you try eggplant with ground meat, because it’s really good!! :)

What to make with eggplant: