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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Shape Up Series: Low Fat Apple Cinnamon Crisp

By: Finance Foodie

Thanks to my Shape Up Series, I've been on a serious cooking trek for lunch and dinner (Specific definition of cooking for me: anything that utilizes a large piece of kitchen equipment. Let's be clear, I'm no Julia Child here with all day to spend basting chickens). Therefore, I decided it was only natural to expand this new found usage of my kitchen to make healthy breakfast items. While browsing though the General Mills site, I found a lovely looking recipe for a hearty Apple Cinnamon Crisp using Cheerios. I've never been much of a plain cereal and milk kind of gal, so I was uber happy to take this recipe for a spin!

Hearty Apple Cinnamon Crisp
Calories/serving: ~340
(wish I could say I invented it, but it's modified from the General Mills website)
Note: I quartered the original recipe -- just in case the Cooking Gods were not on my side!

1. First I gathered all my ingredients: 1 cup sliced apples, 1/8 cup Quaker oats, 1/16 cup packed brown sugar Sugar in the Raw (I didn't have brown sugar handy), 3/16 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/12 cup Smart Balance margarine, 1/2 cup Apple Cinnamon Multi Grain (once again, all I had in the pantry) Cheerios cereal.
2. Then, I pre-heated the oven to 350°F and arranged the apples in ungreased pan.
3. In medium bowl, I stirred together the oats, brown sugar and cinnamon; then I cut in the margarine with fork until crumbly.
4. Next, I stirred in the cereal and sprinkled over the apples.
5. Finally, I baked uncovered until golden brown (~20 minutes).
6. Presto it's done!
Stay tuned as always on Monday for my next weigh-in. Will I finally reach the halfway weight loss mark? You have to check back and see!

***Giveaway***
Congrats #29 - Valeen!

Cheerios wants to give one of my readers the opportunity to create my (well , technically their) Low Fat Apple Cinnamon Crisp and stay fit while doing so. They  will gift one lucky lady or gentleman a Cherrios Fit Kit that includes a gym bag, water bottle, cereal container and a coupon for a free box of Cherrios!
 There are THREE ways to enter
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me what is your favorite Cherrios flavor? (Mine is Multi Grain because it's lightly sweetened but the whole grains fill me up!). Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Friday, January 28, 2011 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

Disclosure: Cherrios provided the prize pack and information for giveaway via MyBlogSpark

89 comments:

  1. Bianca @ Confessions of a ChocoholicJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I LOVE Cheerios! My favorite flavor is chocolate :) Second favorite is honey nut - it's a true classic for me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Golden Daily ScoopJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Those apples look delish, great idea! My fav Cheerios is multi grain!

    casualdish@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Golden Daily ScoopJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    I follow you via twitter @casualdish

    casualdish@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. alouise6January 27, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    I love the original Cheerios flavor because it was one of the first solid food my kids ate that I felt really good about giving them!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AmberJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    I love Honey Nut Cheerios best because they are just sweet enough!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AmberJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I follow @financefoodie1 on Twitter - I'm @AmberGoo
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    I like the Honey Nut Cheerios
    janicecrespo AT gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Follow you on Twitter
    @janicecrespo
    janicecrespo AT gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    My favorite Cheerios
    is MultiGrain:
    as a crispy snack
    I eat 'em plain!


    =D

    riceburns @ hotmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Leslie S.January 27, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    I love Honey Nut Cheerios.Thanks!
    lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Erica C.January 27, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I like the Honey Nut but also the newer Banana Nut Cheerios.

    ReplyDelete
  12. A-Ro.January 27, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    I absolutely LOVE Frosted Cheerios. It's the same old Cherrios we love with just a little extra sweetness. Also, frying Original Cheerios with butter and garlic is one of my favorite snacks.

    astoriaboi@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    I love cherrios the plain old fashioned original flavor since a child. Always with a banana. Now I'm 67 and slowing down but feel my morning starts off on the right foot with my Cherrios.

    ReplyDelete
  14. SarahJanuary 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    I like the original flavor.

    ReplyDelete
  15. SarahJanuary 27, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Following on Twitter @sarohioan

    ReplyDelete
  16. Connie K.January 27, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    I love banana nut.

    ReplyDelete
  17. KrabbmanJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I'm a sucker for Honey Nut Cheerios! It's one of my favorite breakfasts!

    Richard / Krabbman
    Taesa68@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. KrabbmanJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    I follow Finance foodie on twitter under 'JKrabbenstein'

    Richard / Krabbman
    Taesa68@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. KrabbmanJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    I tweeted about this giveaway at the following link: http://twitter.com/JKrabbenstein/status/30722225321541634

    Richard / Krabbman
    Taesa68@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Daniel MJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    honey nut is my fav - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. JulieJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Mine is Honey Nut Cherrios
    thanks
    aunteegem@yahoo.com
    Your apple crisp looks so delicious

    ReplyDelete
  22. mvernoJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    i like original cheeros mverno@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I love the original flavor.. so do all my kids with some lighlty sweetend soy milk its a delicious breakfast

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    I love the original Cheerios...

    ReplyDelete
  25. KimberlyJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    I like honey nut the best. I need sugar in the morning.
    kirbycolby at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. KimberlyJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    I follow you on twitter @Aerated. Thank you!
    kirbycolby at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mary SelfJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    I love just plain old Cherrios as a snack!
    self_mary@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. ValeenJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    I love Honey Nut Cheerios! I especially love to snack on them!

    Thanks for the fun contest!

    sweepyhead at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. ValeenJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    I follow you on Twitter @MaBaMom

    sweepyhead at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. NickolayJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    My favorite cheerios are Honey Nut

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. NickolayJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Twitter follower

    parkerozgood

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. NickolayJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Tweeted


    http://twitter.com/parkerozgood/status/30756046679056384

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. fatsealJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    I love chocolate Cheerioes, or rather my kids really really do!

    fatseal13@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. fatsealJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    I am following you on Twitter as fatseal, love the apple crisp recipe!
    fatseal13@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. PatJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    I like the original Cheerios.
    pkildow at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. LizJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    My favorite is honey nut cheerios.

    egenevieve at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. LizJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    I follow on twitter @bobthebunny25

    egenevieve at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. 5websJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    My favorite Cheerios flavor is the original. although the Multi-Grain is my second fave.
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  39. AshleyJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    I love plain old regular cheerios!

    ag29ande at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. slb3334January 27, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    I like the honey nut.

    slb3334@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Banana Nut Cheerios is the best!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. DarcyOJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Multi-grain Cheerios are my favorite.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  43. RachelJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    I like the original

    ReplyDelete
  44. valerie2350January 27, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    I like the original cheerios the best, but my guys like the frosted

    ReplyDelete
  45. valerie2350January 27, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    twitter follower
    valerie2350

    ReplyDelete
  46. Deb KJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    Apple and Cinnamon are my favorite!

    deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Deb KJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Tweet!~
    http://twitter.com/#!/Deb55106/status/30847580581666817

    deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    I love the multigrain cheerios...so yummy..gonna go eat some right now

    ReplyDelete
  49. BethEldertonJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    My favorite Cheerios is Honey Nut. In fact, it is my favorite cereal of all.
    bethelderton59@gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. ard1977January 28, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    I love Honey Nut Cheerios! They are so good! Thanks for the chance! ard1977@gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. ard1977January 28, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Following on twitter (amied027). ard1977@gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. ard1977January 28, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    tweeted- http://twitter.com/amied027/status/30868659782033408
    ard1977@gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. susitravlJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Honey Nut Cheerios. Only because I'm trying to break my chocolate addiction!

    ReplyDelete
  54. HazelJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:42 AM

    I love the original, and haven't strayed from it.

    Hazel
    hwilcox2008@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. foreverheavenlyJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    honey nut cheerios

    ReplyDelete
  56. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    I love Honey-Nut Cheerios!

    katfam95 at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    I love Honey Nut Cheerios!

    katfam95 at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. EmmaPeelJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    Original Cheerios.
    emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. EmmaPeelJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    I Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. MOMFOREVERANDEVERJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    the yogurt but I mix them with multigrain- those look amazing

    ReplyDelete
  61. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    HORTON111@AOL.COM

    WE LIKE THE ORIGINAL CHEERIOS FLAVOR AT OUR HOUSE

    ReplyDelete
  62. chlorinebrainJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    My favorite Cheerios flavor is the plain original! I don't like sweet cereal so that's perfect for me!


    chlorinebrain at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  63. marcia gossJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    My favorite Cheerios flavor is Honey Nut Cheerios.
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. marcia gossJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I follow you on Twitter @mgoss123.
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. marcia gossJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Tweet.
    http://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/30990890482802688
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. ShawnJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    My favorite Cheerios flavor is Honey Nut.

    shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  67. TimshaunJanuary 28, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Our favorite type of Cheerios is Honey Nut
    Shaunda.Eppes at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. susansmoaksJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    honey nut cheerios is my favorite
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. susansmoaksJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    i tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life/status/31005260864557056
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Amy delongJanuary 28, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    I like all the recipes on the site!
    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Sarah G.January 28, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Honey Nut is my fav

    ReplyDelete
  72. SummerJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    My favorite is Honey Nut Cheerios.

    summer.tidmore at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. SummerJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    I follow on twitter. @summer2mommy

    summer.tidmore at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. debsweeps4January 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    My favorite is Honey Nut Cheerios. debsweeps4@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. SusanJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    I love honey nut cheerios! suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. SusanJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    I follow financefoodie1 on twitter suelee1998
    suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. TinaJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I like apple cinnamon cheerios!

    ReplyDelete
  78. cmanJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    I like the original and apple cinnamon cheerios.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Nicole C.January 28, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    My favorite is Honey Nut Cheerios.

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  80. UnknownJanuary 28, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    my favorite is honey nut
    cindy0462@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. 07violetJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    my favorite is the original

    alterna7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  82. esldiane@gmail.comJanuary 28, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    I love their honey and nuts
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. AUTHORJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    my family loves honey nut cherrioes

    i remember eating dry cheerioes

    to settle my stomach after the flu


    remember moms always made you eat something lite on your stomach

    ReplyDelete
  84. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    The Original Cheerios is my favorite flavor. garrettsambo@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. AUTHORJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    my family favorite is honey nut cheerioes

    i remember as i kid we had to eat dry cherrio after the flu so it would be easy on our stomachs

    ReplyDelete
  86. SandJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Honey Nut Cheerios are my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  87. dvice12January 28, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    My favorite Cherrios flavor is honey nut
    dvice12[at]gmail[dotcom]

    ReplyDelete
  88. RaettigFamilyJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    My favorite is Honey Nut but I really want to try the cinnamon burst ones.

    ReplyDelete
  89. melsywsouJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    BAnana Nut

    ReplyDelete