When I was a kid, snack time was my favorite time of day. When the clock struck three, I ran into the kitchen and headed straight for the pantry to look for my favorite snacks: pretzels, chips and cookies. But my mom always had another idea. Her favorite pick was apples and peanut butter. It was a simple alternative to the processed and packaged foods I loved, and tasted just as good.

She could find apples and peanut butter right in our kitchen, and it took mere minutes to prepare.  She added chocolate chips and made the snack appealing to even me, the most picky eater in my family. The crunchy apples complemented the smooth peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips.

After eating apples and peanut butter I had the energy to bounce off the walls, or sit down and do homework. It’s the perfect way to get energized without the sugar high.

Now, my favorite childhood snack just got an upgrade. The traditional apples and peanut butter dip I used to indulge in doesn’t fit the Instagram-style food standards of today. This bowl has the same great flavor with a modern-looking twist.

Ingredients:

• One apple
• Peanut butter
• Mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Slice the apple, then cut the slices into thirds.
2. Melt spoonfuls of peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Drizzle a desired amount of peanut butter over the apple.
4. Top it off by sprinkling mini chocolate chips.
5. Enjoy!