As cooler weather approaches, everyone is spending more time indoors and inevitably becomes a bit less active. Combine those routines with heavy, hearty comfort food throughout the season and Thanksgiving feasts, and it is easy to see why the cooler months can be detrimental to health and weight loss goals.

Here are 3 healthy recipes to help keep your entire family on track during the fall season:

Snacks for the fall season

Apple Chips

These sweet and crunchy “chips” will keep you out of the potatoes. 

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 ½ tsps. White sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Arrange apple slices on a metal baking sheet.

Mix together sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over the apple slices.

Bake in the preheated oven until apples are dried and edges curl up, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer the chips to a wire rack until cooled and crispy. Enjoy!

Fall-Themed Dinner Options

Autumn Stir-Fry

This sweet and slightly spicy stir fry filled with fall veggies will have your whole family begging for more. 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
• 1 pound chicken, cut into strips
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon chili paste
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup shaved Brussels sprouts
• 1 cup diced acorn squash
• 1 Bartlett pear, peeled and diced
• 4 scallions, diced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Whisk the brown sugar and ¼ cup of soy sauce in a bowl. Toss the chicken in the marinade and marinate in the fridge for 2 hours.

Mix together the hoisin, ginger, chili paste, garlic and remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the oil. Toss the chicken with cornstarch to coat.

Add the pork to the skillet in small batches and cook, stirring occasionally to ensure good browning. Cook for about 5 minutes, until it is barely cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper-towel lined plate.

Add sprouts, squash and scallions (if using) to the hot skillet and stir-fry until the veggies are crisp-tender and have good caramelization, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the chicken back and cook an additional minute. Add the hoisin sauce mixture and simmer for an additional minute. 

Add the pears and toss to coat. Remove from the heat.

Garnish with sesame seeds. 

Desserts for Fall

Baked Apples

These little baked apples are like miniature apple crisps. The best part is that you don’t have to do a bunch of dicing and this recipe goes a bit lighter on the butter and sugar, as well. 

Ingredients:

• 2 large apples, cut in half with the seeds removed
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 4 tbsp. quick oats
• Pinch of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, oats and cinnamon. Spoon on top of the apple halves and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Serve warm. 

Stay on top of your overall healthy by pairing your healthy lifestyle and eating habits with routine medical visits!