An Apple a day… but with the skin

As if you needed a reason to love apple. Their skins contain ursolic acid, which may boost metabolism by increasing muscle mass and a type of body fat that helps burn calories, according to recent research published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Sources: Eating well magazine September 2012

Also, we found this unique way of eating apples:

Apple & Fennel Salad with Blue Cheese

5 servings, about 2 cups each

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

NUTRITION PROFILE

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 large crisp, sweet apple, such as Honeycrisp or Ambrosia, thinly sliced
• 1 medium fennel bulb, quartered and thinly sliced, fronds reserved
• 6 cups torn butterhead lettuce
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

PREPARATION

1. Whisk oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add apple and fennel and toss to coat. Chop 1/4 cup of the fennel fronds and add to the bowl along with lettuce and blue cheese; gently toss.

TIPS & NOTES

• Shopping Tip: Choose unbruised, firm apples with smooth skin. Store for up to 4 months in the refrigerator.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 174 calories; 14 g fat ( 3 g sat , 9 g mono ); 7 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 3 g protein; 3 g fiber; 269 mg sodium; 414 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (47% daily value), Folate & Vitamin C (17% dv)

Carbohydrate Servings: 1

Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 1 vegetable, 2 fat

Remember not to peel your apples when you cook this salad!