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Welcome to Fiona's Granola
Greetings!
Fall is Fiona's favorite time of year. Sunny days, bright autumn colors, brilliant blue skies, and crisp, clear nights... it's hard to ask for much more. And there is no better way to get out and enjoy the Fall colors than by taking a hike or mountain bike ride, of course with your favorite Fiona's energy bar in your pocket! The harvest season is upon us, which means it's time to enjoy that bountiful autumn produce, including fresh, crisp, juicy apples! This issue focuses on the health benefits of apples, some fun history about Halloween, how much we love to donate, and of course, a yummy recipe.
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An Apple a Day...
We all know the old adage. Apples get so much good press that it's hard to say something new about them. Yet surprisingly, scientists are still unearthing more details about this wonder fruit.
Researchers have long reported that an apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Apples contain potent antioxidants, mainly quercetin, that fight cell damage and prevent brain cell death. "On the basis of serving size, fresh apples have some of the highest  levels of quercetin when compared to other fruits and vegetables and may be among the best food choices for fighting Alzheimer's," noted C.Y. Lee, a professor and chairman of the Department of Food Science and Technology at Cornell University. Apples are also high in fiber and vitamins, and are one of the easiest grab-and-go health foods.
Why apples are good for kids, and thus, a good breakfast and snack choice
In addition to the health benefits above, apples contain glucose, which makes our brains really happy. Apples are also attributed with the formation of memory-improving neurotransmitters in the brain, which helps us to retain information. Apples are also a low glycemic food, meaning they do not turn into sugar quickly in the body, so they won't give your kids those nasty sugar highs. Apples also take a long time to be digested, helping to keep us feeling full longer. They also contain malic acid, which contributes to mental clarity.
Apples Over Apple Juice
Brain cells are greedy, needing two times more energy than our other cells. Complex carbohydrates, like those found in apples, provide the best energy for our brains. Fruit juice isn't enough, as it's a simple carbohydrate. Juice energy quickly burns off and leaves our brains starving. If you have the choice between fruit and fruit juice, make the choice your brain wants - pick the fruit you have to chew.
Information extracted from Apple Products Research and Education Council
At Fiona's Natural Foods, we are all about low-glycemic foods. Check out our low-glycemic products at fionasgranola.com
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Granola Apple Crisp
Since it's apple season, what better excuse to bake a delicious and healthy apple crisp! Fiona's Apple Crisp is healthier than a traditional apple pie. First, there's no crust, which cuts down on the fat and carbohydrate content. Since our recipe uses granola as a topping, you'll get added fiber as well as added crunch and flavor. We use a variety of apples, to add both tartness and sweetness. We made this crisp with Ginger Walnut granola and paired it with coconut ice cream. Yum!!
5 cups sliced apples
1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
2 Tbls. lemon juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups Fiona's Granola
3 Tbls. melted butter
Combine all ingredients except granola and butter, stirring gently after each addition. Pour into a lightly buttered 9" x 9" baking dish. In a small bowl, pour melted butter over granola and stir until granola is well coated. Pour granola onto apple mixture and gently pat down, pressing dry mixture evenly to cover the fruit. Bake at 350° for 25 - 30 minutes. Enjoy warm with cream, milk, or ice cream!
Warm and bubbly, this dessert is a simple yet favorite treat any time of year!
Fiona's favorite : Ginger Walnut
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Fiona Donates and Delivers!
Did you know that Fiona loves to
donate her
Fiona delivering to KGNU, a local Boulder radio station! | products to worthy causes?
To date, we have donated
to schools, running groups, radio stations, celiac groups, tennis and golf tournaments, behavioral eating groups, real estate organizations, women's organizations, parenting groups, health clinics, and more! If your organization is looking for donations from local companies, and you think Fiona's would be a good fit, please contact us. Fiona might even bike the donation over herself!
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Did you know?...
Halloween originated about 2,000 - 3,000 years ago by the Celtic people, and it was the Celebration of Samhain, meaning "Summer's End" which began at sundown October 31 and ended at sundown November 1.
At this time of year, people felt especially close to deceased relatives and friends, and believed that their spirits returned to earth for a visit. For these friendly spirits, they set places at the dinner table, left treats on doorsteps and along the side of the road, and lit candles to help loved ones find their way back to the spirit world.
It was also believed that unfriendly ghosts came back to the earthly world, and that people would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized, people would wear masks when they left their homes so the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. To keep unfriendly ghosts from entering their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease these spirits.
Eventually, Roman and other European traditions melded with Samhain. The Catholic holiday celebration was called All-Hallows and the night before it, All-Hallows Eve. In A.D. 1000, the Catholic church made November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. This Day of the Dead celebration is alive and well in many cultures today, with lively celebrations taking place in cemeteries all over the world.
The American Halloween tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food, and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives.
P.S. Even Pamona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, eventually made her way into the celebrations. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, and her incorporation into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
Did someone mention apples?
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What is in Fiona's bowl for trick-or-treaters?
Granola, of course! This year, Fiona will be handing out her new single-serve granola packets! Each packet contains one serving of granola, a healthy alternative to sugary sweets. Move over candy bars, Fiona's is the better Halloween treat!
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