Things have been busy lately, in the best way possible. I've been working a lot and it has been fantastic to meet all sorts of people and help them through their health concerns. One thing that often confuses clients, is the topic of sugar. What is ok? What's not? Can I have fruit? What's up with Stevia? -- Big post on this coming soon! 

If we're being totally real, everyone could benefit from limiting sugar intake of any kind, including fructose from fruit and glucose from natural sugars like maple syrup.

But if we're talking about long term success and maintaining health, there has to be a little bit of wiggle room. If you restrict yourself to the max, more likely than not, you will eventually break and often in a more extreme way than if you incorporate a little bit of decadence from time to time. I like to provide options to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle that give you that satisfying sweetness in a way that still packs nutrients and will produce the least negative effects of sugar possible. 

This super easy baked pear is a great example of something that you can incorporate into a health plan that won't totally derail your efforts. It will satisfy that sweet tooth without sparking cravings that take you overboard. PLUS! Its full of extra nutrients, antioxidants and fiber, so it won't spike your blood sugar and will actually feed your body. 

Sweet Cinnamon Baked Pear

INGREDIENTS

PEAR

1 pear

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

CARAMEL FILLING

1 cup dates, pitted

1/4 cup filtered water

1 tsp maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2) Cut pears in half lengthwise and scoop out the core

3) Cut the skin side of the pear so that they can lay flat on a lined baking sheet with insides facing up

4) Mix maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla extract in small bowl or cup

5) Brush pear evenly with maple syrup mixture, reserve some for topping post bake

6) Bake for 30-50 mins, based on desired tenderness

7) Meanwhile, place all caramel filling ingredients in a high powered blender or food processor

8) Blend until reached desired consistency.

9) Once pears are finished, remove from oven, place 1 tbsp of caramel filling on each half of the pear where the core once was and drizzle with leftover cinnamon maple syrup mixture. 

10) Reserve the rest of the caramel filling for dipping celery sticks, spreading on toast or warming up and drizzling over some nice cream as a warm caramel sauce, experiment with it and enjoy!

There's no point in being healthy unless you're going to enjoy your life and if you have a sweet tooth, enjoying desserts every so often has to be part of that. Love yourself and love your life. Give your body what it needs. 

Sincerely,

The Realistic Holistic

 If you make this recipe, don’t forget to take a pic and tag me on instagram @realistic.holistic and use #realisticholistic - show me how you’re incorporating real health into your real life!