
It's National Apple Month, people. But before you go celebrating it the wrong way, check out these food finds, shockers, our recipe round-up, and exactly why we're Fuji-obsessed... 
Aisles of Apples

Toss these snack finds in your cart next time you're at the store...

Newtons Fruit Crisps, Apple Cinnamon - If you haven't tried these yet, you are missing out, BIGTIME! You get TWO large, flakey, sweet, crunchy, cinnamon-apple Crisps for 100 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbs, 0g fiber, and <1g protein (POINTS® value 2*). We don't just love these... we are in love with them.

Yoplait Light, Apple Turnover - This is our most favorite yogurt in the world. And it'll even kick a craving for the real fat-filled dessert. A 6-oz. container has just 100 fat-free calories, 19g carbs, 0g fiber, and 5g protein (POINTS® value 2*). Even if you don't like yogurt, you'll probably like this stuff.

Fiber One Chewy Bars, Oats & Apple Streusel - One of the latest flavors in the Chewy Bar line-up, this is a serious standout in the snack bar aisle! Each fiber-happy bar has 130 calories, 2g fat, 31g carbs, 9g fiber, and 2g protein (POINTS® value 2*). It's got that rich apple pie taste without tasting fake, icky, or overwhelming. Another slam-dunk from the folks at F1!

Gerber Graduates Mini Fruits, Apple - Okay, before you get all "baby food, HG?!" on us, hear us out. This stuff is pure freeze-dried fruit in a sealable snack pack. It's crunchy, sweet, and insanely delicious. And it's the perfect thing to stash for when you MUST chomp on a) something crispy, b) something sweet, and/or c) a whole LOT of something. Down the entire bag (about 1 cup) for just 100 calories, 0g fat, 24g carbs, 4g fiber, and 0g protein (POINTS® value 1*). And again... it's all fruit, nothing added. Don't be a baby -- give it a try!


Apple vs. Apple

All apples are not created equal! We went apple-picking in the produce section, and here's what we found! (BTW... to find a variety you don't see stocked, hit up specialty grocery stores, farmers markets, and knowledgeable supermarket employees!)

Fuji - We talk about our incessant love for these apples ALL the time. And no, it's not because we secretly work for the Fuji foundation (if there is such a thing). We love them because they're perfectly sweet and juicy, they've got a nice bite (just the right amount of crispness), and they work perfectly in all our recipes (the ones that call for apples, anyway). Hooray!

Gala - Sadly, this is not the life of the party like its name suggests. It's a lot like the old-fashioned Red Delicious -- slightly boring and completely mild. Galas are a little soft inside, so you'll love 'em if you're teething, toothless, or just a lazy chewer.

Ambrosia - This reminds us of the Grapple, which (fun fact!) appeared in the very first HG email ever sent out. It's not quite as grape-y as the Grapple, though. It's sweet, mild, and all-around good.

Jazz - Ooh. This newbie fruit first came on the scene in New Zealand (Kiwis know good apples!). It's a practically perfect combo of sweet and tart. And these apples have got a little fizz to 'em... Try one and you'll see what we mean.

Apple of the Future Alert! - Recently, we were lucky enough to sample the SweeTango apple -- love child of Honeycrisp and Zestar -- which is scheduled to hit stores next fall. No exaggeration, this isn't like ANY other apple you've ever had. It tastes like a fancy mixed drink with just a hint of sweet licorice. It's also super-crunchy and juicy. SOOOOOO good! Yes, it's sad we have to wait an entire year for these to appear on store shelves, but we couldn't NOT chew and tell! We promise to keep you posted!


Rotten to the Core!

These fruity menu items make us maaaad...

Romano's Macaroni Grill Amaretto Apple Crispetti

1 dessert = 1,300 calories and 45g fat! (POINTS® value 29*)

Before you pat yourself on the back for turning down the tiramisu and cheesecake, take a good long look at these stats. We love apples and are 100% appalled at this fruit abuse. Macaroni Grill, you need to go sit in a corner. Check, please!

Johnny Rockets Apple Pie

1 slice = 930 calories and 59g fat! (POINTS® value 23*)

AACK! Check out the stats on this slice of fruit pie. Can you IMAGINE what would happen if you gave in and ordered it à la mode?! We'll tell you. The new total would be 1,190 calories and 75g fat (POINTS® value 29*). And the REALLY scary (and weird!) thing is, according to the website, you can have CHEDDAR CHEESE added to your pie. Yes, CHEESE. Ick.


The Great Apple Swap-eroo - Apple Pies for Apple Dippers and Fries!

McDonald's and Burger King both offer awesome alternatives to their fatty pies...

Why have a teeny-tiny, gone-in-three-bites drive-thru pie that has 250 - 300 calories and 13g fat (POINTS® value 5 - 7*) when you can chew on delicious apple slices dunked in caramel sauce for only 60 - 105 calories and 0 - 0.5g fat (POINTS® value 1 - 2*)? You don't need to answer that. You know what to do.


All-Star Apple Recipes

The apple doesn't fall far from HG...

HG's Apple iCobbler - 126 calories. 1g fat. 100% delicious!

Creamy Hot Apple B-Fast with Brown Sugar Crunch - Click 'n scroll for a decadent breakfast that puts all others to shame...

Apple Pie Pockets - So good, you'll want to stuff 'em in your pants pockets and take 'em with you everywhere. (Don't do that.)

HG's Apple Pie in the Sky Smoothie - Apple pie in a cup?!? YUP. Click. Scroll.


  HG Book Exclusives! Blueberry Apple Pancake Shake-Up! Apple Cinnamon Crunch Parfaits! Fruity Super-Slaw! Creamy Butternut Squash n Apple Breakfast Treat! For all these recipes and TONS more, get your very own copy of the HG cookbook -- online and in stores!
October is National Apple Month. Here are about a billion ways to celebrate (and a few ways NOT to!).
  HG News You Can Use: Click here NOW if you're looking for a sweet 'n crunchy guilt-free cookie snack. Weeeeee!
  Everyone loves apples. Everyone needs this apple email. Click "send to a friend" NOW, and share the love!
