This week we'll explore seasonal apple recipes and protein "truffles" made from chickpeas. We'll also delve into Monday's supermoon (which is also the harvest moon) and why October is a great time for seeing the sunrise.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: APPLES

Now that we're into October, let's celebrate an iconic fall ingredient: apples. Even though apples are great on their own, they're also a versatile ingredient that you can use in a wide variety of dishes. If you're ready to move beyond just apple slices and apple pie, here are a few less common ways of enjoying them.

Apples are a great salad ingredient thanks to their sweetness, juiciness, and crunch. Just slice them thinly and toss them into your favorite fall-inspired salad. For example, they play a starring role in this Vegan Brussels Sprouts Waldorf Salad alongside hearty roasted sprouts, juicy grapes, and a (lightened up) creamy dressing.

Apples are delicious in cooked dishes too, like this celebratory Wild Rice, Macadamia, and Fall Fruit Stuffing or this easy Roasted Vegetable Harvest Pasta. Their sweetness is a wonderful complement to savory ingredients like fall herbs.

Want to think beyond just fresh apples? You'd be surprised by how many ways you can use apple cider and applesauce in the kitchen. For apple cider, check out this cozy "Chaider" (Chai + Cider) Rum Punch and this holiday-ready Apple Cider Harvest Salad. For applesauce, I think you'll love this comforting Apple Pie Granola, in which apple sauce replaces much of the usual oil and sugar.

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Try This Week: CHICKPEA TRUFFLES?!?

In last week's newsletter, we chatted about a very surprising dessert ingredient: chickpeas. This week, I'm excited to share with you my current favorite post-workout treat. I've been making "truffles" from chickpeas and I can't wait for you to try them.

Why make bean-based truffles? Chickpeas provide structure to these cute bites, thereby negating the need for heavier ingredients. They're also high in protein and fiber, meaning just one or two truffles feel satisfying. Since chickpeas have a neutral color and very little taste, they disappear completely under the chocolate.

These Chocolate Chickpea Protein Truffles have become a weekly go-to for us at home. They're easy to make and they have more protein and less fat than other protein ball recipes you'll see online. They keep well in the fridge too, so you can make a batch today and have healthy snacks all week long.

Live Colorfully

In the Natural World: FULL/HARVEST/SUPER MOON

Keep your eyes to the sky tomorrow, Monday the 6th, since October's full moon is special for a lot of reasons. First, this one actually has two names. October's full moon is typically called the "hunter's moon". However, this is also the "harvest moon" since it's the closest full moon to the fall equinox (which occurred on Sunday September 22nd; you can read about it in the September 21 newsletter issue if you're curious).

That's not all though. This week's full moon will also be a "supermoon", which means that the moon is very close to Earth in its orbit and will appear especially large.

Cool, right? This is the hunter's moon, the harvest moon, AND a supermoon. In case you want to learn more and get info about viewing times, check out this article from Space.com.​

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Self-Care Pick: OCTOBER SUNRISES

Are darker days and cooler temperatures getting you down? Especially since we're close to the equinox right now, we're losing daylight fast. However, there are a few silver linings to the darker days. For example, last month we chatted about fall rainbows (easier to spot with the lower sun angle!). Then, a few weeks ago, we explored why fall evenings are the perfect time for a bonfire. Finally, two weeks ago, we talked about how shorter days can make it easier to see the sunset.

This week's fall silver lining? You can see the sunrise later! At the height of summer, the sun rises so early (especially here in northern Vermont, about 5:00AM) that it can be hard to see. This time of year though, the sun rises much later. That means you can easily catch the sunrise without getting up at 4:00AM.

Want to catch some sunrises this week? Try going on a walk in the morning somewhere with an eastward view. You can look up local sunrise times online, and you'll see the sunrise time in your weather app if you have an iPhone.

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!