When everything feels a little uncertain and the normal step of life has a bit of a limp, it's best to take a step back, simplify, and find a little balance. That's certainly how I've felt lately. So I'm embracing the basics to find a little balance through exercise, purposeful eating, and nurturing my spirit.

When it comes to the purposeful eating part, healthy desserts are not only encouraged, but for me are sometimes medicinal! Like this Grain Free Apple Crisp - tender warm apples and spices with a crunchy sweet crumble on top makes me feel like all is right in the world and reminds me that a change of season is just around the corner.

This only took me a grand total of 5 minutes to prep (thanks to having my apple filling already canned and waiting in the pantry, but it would probably only add another 15 minutes to the total prep time if you sliced up some fresh apples instead). It was yummy just as it was, but would also be delish with a scoop of homemade dairy free ice cream.

Grain Free Apple Crisp

Apple Filling: (Fills one 9" pie pan)

• 8 - 10 medium apples; peeled, cored, and sliced

• 2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1/3 cup honey

• 2 tbsp. Organic butter or Organic Ghee (clarified butter)

• 2 tsp. lemon juice

In a large skillet or pot heat butter or ghee, add apple slices, lemon juice, cinnamon, and honey. Stir together and bring to a simmer. Continue stirring occasionally until the apples are crisp-tender. Pour into a 9" round pie pan or individual ramekins and sprinkle generously with topping.

* If you want to bottle the apple filling, then quadruple ingredients above and add these additional ingredients before processing in a water bath or pressure cooker (fills about 10 - 12 quart jars):

Apple Filling quadrupled: 35 - 40 medium apples; peeled, cored, and sliced, 2 tbsp. cinnamon, 1 cup honey, 6 tbsp butter, plus....

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 1  quart filtered water

Check with the National Center for Home Food Preservation and follow guidelines outlined for proper canning methods.  

Apple Crisp Topping:

• 1  1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

• 2/3 cup almond flour or sunflower seeds, blended into a flour consistency

• 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 2 tbsp. honey or pure maple syrup

Stir together all the dry ingredients, followed by the wet ingredients until the mixture begins to stick together slightly. Sprinkle over apple filling.

If using freshly sliced apples preheat oven to 350 and bake for 30 - 35 minutes. If using canned apples, preheat oven to 400 and bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!