As I've told you before, I worked with the healthy-food innovators at Santa Barbara's Backyard Bowls to create some new menu items. (More coming soon, too!) The local paper there, the Santa Barbara News-Press, did a nice writeup on Backyard Bowls illustrated with one of my creations, called Spartan Muesli. I thought I'd share the picture with you. (Also: If you're ever in Santa Barbara, make sure you try Backyard Bowls. It's an incredible experience. Tell them Amira sent you!)

I was buying apples at the farmer's market Sunday (as usual), when my favorite apple farmer informed me that I wouldn't be seeing him until next fall (I try to eat seasonally and only locally grown fruits and vegetables). To my dismay, he said that the apple season is over in this area (San Francisco Bay Area). I did the only natural thing one can do; I bought more apples, of course! I ended up with a half of a case of fujis and pink ladies. Walking home for almost a mile with 22 pounds of apples in an awkward box, plus another 15 pounds of other produce in my basket hanging from my shoulder was a challenge (all part of the health plan though). I made it home and, although I was sad about the apple season ending, I was ecstatic to see so many apples in my kitchen. And what best way to celebrate the last harvest of apple season than to bake and eat lots of homemade and whole grain apple pie? I wish I could share some with you all.