LIVE BETTER

Cooler weather and earlier sunsets leave 75 percent of women feeling low as September winds down. To the rescue: desserts packed with superfoods that are study-proven to banish fall health woes!

CAN’T CONCENTRATE? ENJOY A CARAMEL APPLE

When dreary days make it hard to focus, reach for an apple. The fruit is packed with flavonoids that energize the brain. Dig into apple pie for a treat, or enjoy a blast from the past with caramel apples. to make: Insert lollipop sticks into six apples. Unwrap candies from one 14 oz. bag of caramels; place in a heatproof bowl; microwave 2 minutes, stirring once. Roll each apple in caramel until coated. Garnish; let cool.

RUN-DOWN? SNACK ON OAT BARS

A unique fiber in oats stimulates the activity of infection-fighting white blood cells, boosting the body’s defenses against cold and flu viruses by 750 percent. A delicious way to get the perks: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of oats, ⁄2 cup of sliced

1 almonds, ⁄4 cup of honey and ⁄4 cup of chocolate

3 1 chips . Spread into an 8" square baking dish; bake at 325°F for 9 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.

LETHARGIC? TRY A CRANBERRY TART

An antioxidant in these tart-sweet gems fires up energy engines within cells, increasing stamina by 33 percent. For an easy and invigorating treat, simmer one 14 oz. can of whole-berry cranberry sauce with 2 tbsp. of orange zest until thick. Roll out 1 sheet of refrigerated piecrust on a baking sheet; spread berries in center. Fold dough edges to form a crust and bake at 400°F for 25 minutes.

FEELING BLUE? SAVOR CHEESECAKE

This treat can chase away the blahs fast. That’s because amino acids in cream cheese rev the output of mood-lifting brain chemicals. To make: Mix 2 crushed graham crackers and 1 tbsp. of melted butter in bottom of mug or ramekin; press into crust. In bowl, mix 1 egg, 2 oz. of cream cheese and 4 tbsp. of vanilla yogurt. Pour over crust; microwave for 60 seconds. Chill; serve with berries.

ALWAYS HUNGRY? HAVE A NUTTY TREAT

Darker days prompt the brain to dial back the production of satiety hormones — but the blend of protein and fats in ⁄4 cup of nuts can

1 cut cravings in half. For a bite-sized snack, combine 1 cup of almonds, 1 cup of pitted dates, ⁄ cup

12 of almond butter and ⁄2 tsp. of cinnamon in a food

1 processor. Roll mixture into 15 to 20 balls; coat with chopped pistachios. Chill until ready to serve.