Dehydration

Always a healthy option is dehydrating fruits for snacks.  Since I am making my own chocolate, I decided to dry some extra fruit to coat in chocolate for the next batch.  I might even mix some nuts in with the fruit for a cluster.  I've never dried cherries before but I figure that it will turn out something like raisins.

Cinnamon Cherries drying

There are a lot of apple orchards in Minnesota and it is just past apple harvest time.  Dried cinnamon apples are always a favorite treat of mine. They were even before I started increasing the cinnamon in my life.  

Cinnamon Apples

The problem with apple chips is that, just like potato chips, you can't eat just one.  It is also easy to over-eat on even a healthy treat.  For tonight, they are getting locked up in bags. If I can resist they will wait until I get another batch of cacao beans.  That way I can make some chocolate covered fruit that is healthy and a special treat for the upcoming holidays.  

Finished treats

It is important that you make sure there are special treats available to eat when everyone else has their special treats over the holidays.  If you don't have something special and safe, you will be tempted to eat unhealthy treats that are bad for you.  You know what they say, "Failing to plan is planning to fail!"