APPLE & PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES

These fruity “sandwiches” are the perfect pre-workout snack for loads of energy, minus the processed, wheat–and gluten-heavy bread.

SERVES: 4     PREP: 20 MINS     COOK: NO COOKING

2 green crisp, sweet apples

2 red crisp, sweet apples

juice of 2 lemons

½ cup chunky peanut butter

¼ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

2 tablespoons rolled oats

½ cup diced dried apricots

½ cup coarsely chopped unblanched hazelnuts

1. Cut each apple into six slices, then remove any seeds (there is no need to core them). Put the apple pieces into a bowl, add the lemon juice, and turn to coat evenly to prevent discoloration.

2. Drain the apples, place on a tray or cutting board, and spread each slice with peanut butter. Sprinkle half the slices with the cranberries, sunflower seeds, oats, apricots, and hazelnuts.

3. Cover with the remaining apple slices, peanut butter-side downward, and press together to make fruity sandwiches. Serve immediately.

per serving: 468 cal / 23.4g fat / 3g sat fat / 63.5g carbs / 43.1g sugars / trace salt / 10.7g fiber / 11g protein

AN APPLE A DAY

Apples are a good source of vitamin C and soluble pectin, which is thought to help lower cholesterol and stimulate healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.