Eat the Damn Cake

Ha! Not what you were expecting from a health and wellness newsletter? Yes, my philosophy is pretty much summed up with that expression. No, you can’t eat cake all the time, but when life calls for cake, you should eat cake.

This One Bowl Apple Date Snack cake will become a go-to for you! It’s a small bake, meaning not an enormous recipe, and can serve as a breakfast or brunch bread, cake for tea, an afternoon pick-me-up, and can work as a dessert, too.

You won’t believe the Self-Care Technique of the week — it’s about eating MORE. How about them apples? Read on for more info about this tasty One Bowl Apple Date Snack Cake and other news, information, and ideas to help you create a better life.

Best Life Living Tip

Do you have a dream idea? A book you want to write, a business you want to start, some kind of dream, any kind of dream? I’m sure you do.

Like Dolly sings, “Cause I’ve always been a dreamer, and dreams are special things. But dreams are of no value if they’re not equipped with wings.” (I should know, this was my #1 song on Spotify last year.)

Dreaming isn’t enough if you really to make something happen. You’ve got to do something. You’ve got to take it from a dream to a goal — and that’s neuroscience.

Writing it down makes it real. Buy the URL. Open the Instagram account.  You can do it.

Self Care Technique

Here’s a great self-care technique — and it’s about eating MORE. Aim for at least 2 fruits and vegetables at every single meal, including breakfast.

We all have heard “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and Eating Well lists 5 Benefits of Apples just in case you want to get to the core of the matter. Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, all of which are nutritionally essential and can help reduce the risks of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

The American Heart Association suggests 4 servings a day, so my approach is above and beyond! The deal is that the fiber-rich fruit fills you up.

When in doubt? Add a chopped apple. Need some juicy crunch in a salad? Add an apple. Having pork tenderloin? Add an apple to the skillet. Need a sweet treat after dinner? Have an apple with Chocolate Dipping Sauce.

Apples are good and good for you! I nearly always have one in my purse, keep one in the car, and make certain to pack apples when traveling.

Pro tip – buy the small kid-size apples, too. If I am having a stress-eating attack  I don’t feel bad shoving an apple down my throat. As far as I look at it, it’s better than a cracker or a bag of chips. You don’t have to feel bad about stress eating an apple.

This tip seems both super obvious and very small, but making this ONE TINY change in what you reach for when you are hungry, hangry, or stressed will make a HUGE difference.

Ideas and Inspiration 

One of the premier apple authorities in the United States is Diane Flynt. I included Diane and her Foggy Ridge Cider in my last cookbook, Secrets of the Southern Table. Diane has a new book out called Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South. Check it out. Incredible photos by my friend the incredible Angie Mosier. Diane’s got book appearances and talks, too so make sure to take a look at her website.

We’ve become more familiar with the terms heirloom and heritage regarding produce and animals. Diane’s book traces the complex history of apple cultivation in the South from early seedling orchards grown by indigenous people to the flowering of over 1800 apple varieties unique to the region.

Good and Good for You

Each week look for a tight little package with a healthful recipe, best-life living tip, self-care technique, and ideas and inspiration from the health and wellness space. (If you are just dropping in you can subscribe HERE.)

Good and Good for You is dedicated to succinctly giving readers the information they need to make confident decisions. Each edition is filled with the science-backed motivation and tactics you need to create a better life. Think of it as an evolving self-improvement guide with recipes.

Check my appearance on Good Day Atlanta talking about my Good and Good for You philosophy. Let me know what you think of the One Bowl Apple Date Snack Cake. It’s homey and old-fashioned, not too sweet and nutty with pecans. Thanks for reading.

Bon Appétit Y’all!

Virginia Willis

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Apple Date Snack Cake

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time24 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, english

Keyword: dates, dessert, quickbread, snack cake

Servings: 16

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Virginia Willis

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 ½ cups white wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅔ cup 2 % milk
• ⅔ cup chopped pitted dates
• 2 small apples cored and shredded
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• ¼ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
• 2 tablespoons pure olive oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats

Instructions

• Heat oven to 350F. Lightly coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the milk, dares, apples, egg, sugar, oil, vanilla, pecans, and cardamon. Spread batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle over rolled oats.
• Bake about 25 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool slightly. Cut with a serrated knife. Serve warm or room temperature. Store tightly wrapped plastic for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Let’s cook something up! If you are interested in hosting me for a speaking engagement, event, cooking class, or a book signing, let me know! Send an email to assistant@virginiawillis.com and we’ll be back in touch as soon as possible.

I am not a doctor, RD, or health professional. I am simply sharing what works for me. My blog is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.

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Good and Good for You with Virginia Willis is a lifestyle brand that shares food, fun, and fitness through digital channels and online community; events, seminars, and speeches; and print media. For more information visit virginiawillis.com