For the past three months we have been subjected to mostly negative news. It has clearly taken a toll on all of us in some way shape or form. In between the bad news I think we have all gained some strength, clarity and change. This is a positive outlook for our future, as individuals, communities and as a nation at large.

At Compass, our CEO Robert Reffkin, has implemented a 15% Pledge to support Black professionals. I have joined in this pledge which reads: “Moving forward, I will work to allocate 15% of my real estate vendor spend to Black professionals – from photographers to videographers to attorneys to contractors to stagers to all the small businesses I source and refer to my clients”. So many difficult changes have taken place in our lives. Now is the time to turn the negative into positive and make a difference.

We began this “journey” at the end of winter and we are now beginning summer. The weather is warm and the sun is shining. Businesses are re-opening, restaurants are starting to serve, beauty establishments are taking appointments and real estate is really bustling! We have a new enlightened vision of what is meaningful and important. One thing is for certain, our homes remain our salvation…

If you’re like me, you are excited to get out of the kitchen and dine out! That being said, being at and cooking from home will continue to be part of the new normal. Thinking about what recipe would be appropriate for our mindset, apples came to mind. Because they’re so versatile, apples can be eaten as a meal, snack or dessert.

There are plenty of common clichés that we use in our everyday conversations, but “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a lesson that has been passed down for generations. It’s a saying that seems to come with little to no explanation as to how eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away other than it just does. Apples are packed with nutrients perfect for maintaining a healthy diet and have a substantial amount of health benefits. They contain pectin, a prebiotic that feeds probiotics, the healthy bacteria in your stomach that breaks down food and kills threatening organisms. Apples also contain vitamin C which is an immune system booster.

An apple a day may help keep the doctor away

Cinnamon Oat Bran Date Sweeten Baked Apples

6 Medium Honey Crisp Apples

1.5 Cups of Old-fashioned Oats

4.5 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

3 Teaspoons Cinnamon

A generous squeeze of Date Syrup

6 Cinnamon Sticks

½ Cup of Water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine oats, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl

Place mixture on a baking sheet layered with parchment paper and bake for 6 minutes until golden brown and toasted. Remove and set aside.

Reduce Oven to 325 degrees

Wash and core the apples (remove any seeds
)

In a bowl combine the oat mixture with melted butter

Place the cored apples in a Pyrex baking dish and spoon the mixture into the core of each apple. Squeeze the date syrup onto the top of each mixture so it sweeps into the core

Pour the water in the bottom of the baking dish

Place the cinnamon sticks in each core with the mixture

Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes until tender (check after 30 minutes)

A creative addition is Greek yogurt for breakfast and whipped cream or ice cream for dessert

Apples are a great snack for the entire family. These baked apples with the crunchy oat bran are a delicious version of eating a simple apple.

Let’s stay positive, eat healthy and embrace summer!

With warmth and love,

Nancy xo

Nancy Ellin

Sales Agent | DRE# 01896101
310.909.6063
nancy.ellin@compass.com

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Equal Housing Opportunity.