ABC Sandwich

Everybody loves a PB&J. Here is a twist on the childhood favorite that people of all ages will love. It’s the ABC version - Almond Butter & Cranberry!

Bonus: The Cranberry Sauce is a great side dish to accompany your turkey this Thanksgiving! I got the recipe for the sauce from Whole Foods Market, in the collection of Health Starts Here recipes. Learn more about the Health Starts Here program and find more recipes here.

ABC Sandwich!

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 4 cups fresh cranberries
• ½ cup orange juice 

Preparation Instructions

1. Place dates in small bowl and cover with boiling water. (I boil water in a tea kettle then pour over). Let soak for 15 minutes.
2. Place soaked dates, cranberries and orange juice in food processor and blend until thoroughly chopped. 

Soak dates in boiling water

Blend all ingredients in food processor

Cranberry Sauce!

ABC Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole grain bread
• 2 Tbsp almond butter
• 2 Tbsp cranberry sauce

Preparation Instructions

1. Toast bread (optional).
2. Spread on almond butter & cranberry sauce.
3. Enjoy!

Fuel Facts

Numbers:  calories,  g protein,  g fat,  g carbs,  g fiber

            **For ¼ cup cranberry sauce

Numbers:  calories,  g protein,  g fat,  g carbs,   g fiber

            **For 1 ABC Sandwich

Ingredient Breakdown:

v Dates – One of nature's many gifts, dates are one of the best natural sweeteners. Not only are they sweet, but they contain high amounts of fiber, promoting good digestion & intestinal health.

v Cranberries – The berries get their beautiful color from anthocyanins, phytonutrients in the flavanoid category. Cranberries contain several other phytochemicals as well, all of which may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

      The acidity of cranberries has long been credited for their ability to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, recent studies have shown that this may be due to the content of another phytonutrient, proanthocyanidin (PAC). PAC may prevent bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract lining which in turn protects against UTIs. Researchers believe this same anti-bacterial effect may help prevent the development of stomach ulcers.

v Oranges – You probably associate oranges for their high content of vitamin C, with just one cup of orange juice providing more than the daily value of this beneficial nutrient. But why exactly is vitamin C so important to our health? For starters the body can’t make or store vitamin C, therefore we must get it daily in our diet to prevent deficiency.

      Vitamin C is needed for a variety of functions including carnitine synthesis, a substance that helps convert fat into energy, and collagen synthesis, a material in the body that plays a role in the sturctual integrity of blood vessels, ligaments and bones. It is also important in norepinephrine production, a neurotransmitter that affects mood.

v Whole Grain Bread – Read the ingredient list on the loaf you choose. Make sure each grain ingredient starts with “whole”. Many wheat breads are just processed grains in disguise.

v Almonds – Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in olive oil, providing heart-healthy benefits. Almonds are also a great source of vitamin E, one of the most important nutrients for preventing oxidative stress. Vitamin E, when applied topically, has also been found to protect the skin against UV damage from the sun. It is believed by some researchers that this same protective effect can be achieved through consumption of foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds.