I broke up with almonds last week. That’s right. I had it.

I was becoming way too obsessed so I threw him out of the house.

But, I’m a glutton for punishment so this week I decided to give him another chance.

So now we’re dating again.

I hang out with him in the bulk bin aisle at the grocery store so we can just spend together in small doses. But when I’m there, sometimes I hear his cousin peanut butter calling my name.

I’m torn.

I kind of have a crush on peanut butter, too. He’s quite, how should I put it? Smooth.

Now that I think about it, I think it would be best if almonds and I were just friends. So maybe I’ll invite him and his buddies over for…

A Protein Bar Mixer

• 1 whole egg
• 5 egg whites
• 2 cups vanilla protein powder
• 1/3 cup flax meal
• 1/3 cup nut butter
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1/4 cup walnuts

Whisk together the eggs and your sweetener of choice. Add the protein powder, flax and salt to the mixture. Stir in the nut butter and fold in all of the crazy nuts. Pour the batter into a 9×9 pan coated with non-stick spray. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Now I really must go pick up some beer nuts…I hear they’re toasted!

I love everything about Fall from the crisp leaves and apples to the fresh air and college football. Ok, ok, truth be told, I don’t really love football but everyone in the state of Nebraska seems to be a little obsessed with the sport.

In fact, I think it’s mandatory when you move to this state they issue you a Nebraska Cornhusker sweatshirt or a personalized license plate that reads some clever version of HSKRZ.

I’m thinking of starting a committee where we change that unwritten rule. Instead, I think we should just assume everyone in the state loves Nebraska football and only those that don’t should tell us on their personalized plates. That might spice things up a bit.

Speaking of football and spice, I thought I’d spice up some apples tonight and attempt to channel the spirit of Nebraska football and make…

Big Red Baked Apples

• 1 apple, cored – (NuVal score 96)
• 1 T Splenda for Baking
• 1 T vanilla protein powder
• 1 t cinnamon
• 2 T water
• 1 T pecans, chopped – (NuVal score 100)
• 1 t Earth Balance Butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together Splenda, protein powder, cinnamon, water, and pecans. Spoon mixture into the center of the cored apple and top with butter. Place the stuffed apple into a shallow dish filled with about 3/4 cup water. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Serve with ice cream, or, if you’d rather have a tight end, go with Greek yogurt instead.