Food is fuel: Upside down apple crisp

It’s taken me a while to post this baked creation. You know what held me up? Deciding what to call the recipe, fear of starting. That simple detail literally delayed me by SEVENTY TWO HOURS. I was so hung up on having “the best possible name” that it delayed me three days. It seems like a small detail now that I’ve settled… but it’s the reality of how time consuming “mindless activities” can really be. And it's mindless activities that keep us from doing what truly lights us up. I do not know a single human who would say they didn't want the ability to do the things they loved doing (whatever that is for you, uniquely). The practice of yoga is a practice to be present and do what we so badly want to do.. why wouldn't you practice something that has that result when repeated? We practiced on the mat so that we can do it in real life, do always, what sparks joy, happiness and love. So bring that kind of fun, loving awareness to your cooking, put your practice into real life!

I get you all amped up and inspired because this is a "let chill for 4 hours" recipe and here's a confession: I didn't follow recipes, ever, that had a total time of more than 90 minutes. Even at that, I would think "okay, i'll read through, see if I can skim time off that... then maybe i'll try" I rarely ever, literally can't recall one time... where I actually did make it (making my sister do it while I follow her around her kitchen being a young sister pest, doesn't count i'm told) BUT!!! I really encourage you to do something you LOVE in between steps (take a bath, go to yoga, meditate, ANYTHING FOR YOU). It won't take very long to start... JUST DO IT... and before you know it, you'll have created something fun and done something you love and probably while experiencing joy! All the things that fill our spirit up... and a little something tangible for our tummies :)

I call this (remember this took me THREE DAYS to decide it was “good enough,” I give you....

the upside-down apple crisp

Ingredients insides:

• 2 Green Apple

• 2 Bananas (cut into ½ inch slices

• 1 cup raisins

• 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

1. Mix the “inside” ingredients and put into fridge

Ingredients crust:

• 1 cup oatmeal

• 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)

• 1 cup water

• 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix and boil the crust ingredients for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally

2. When finished, let it cool in the pot a while until firm enough to form to greased (coconut oil) glass Pyrex dish

3. Once packed in (use spatula to form well into corners) place uncovered in fridge for 4-5 hours.

After 4-5 hours:

1. Pour ‘inside’ mix into crust and bake, covered for 40-50 minutes.

You can serve it out of the oven or let cool and enjoy with plain greek yogurt. Oh, it stays in the fridge 5 days, covered. You can freeze it in portion sizes and reheat in toaster oven too! In my square Pyrex I can portion into 9 pieces.

plated upside-down apple crisp

sprinkled with coconut