I really appreciate all the feedback I’ve gotten on the whole semi-Paleo thing, and thank you for all your tips and website suggestions! I figured the first week wouldn’t be too difficult, but after eating carrots and cucumbers as my snacks for 4 days, I’m ready to try some new recipes fo sho.

I made it through my first week, and even made it through dinner at a hibachi/sushi restaurant without stabbing someone with a chopstick fashioned into a shank.  Yes I really wanted that delicious salty fried rice and the sushi my dad was devouring right next to me, but I stayed strong and left feeling like a boss.  Not just because I resisted temptation, but I think it was the first time I’ve ever left a sushi/hibachi restaurant without wanting to rip my pants off and sprawl out on the floor in misery.  In fact, I haven’t felt that way since I started this whole thing, and for me, that is reason enough alone to keep at it.  Portion control has always been the devil on my shoulder, and 99% of the time, in the form of carbs.  I’m actually not nearly as hungry throughout the day as I thought I would be, which is probably the biggest surprise so far.  (My mom is also participating in this little adventure, and she’s been on the same page as me- feeling better overall and surprisingly not missing the off-limits foods.)  Though full disclosure, we’re both still drinking wine and that most likely will never change.  Not sure what the official stance is on that, but mine is “if you try to pry my hooch away I might will cut you”.

Speaking of cutting, look!  Apples!

Yeah, you liked that segue, didn’t you.  Anyways, I saw a few recipes for Paleo Apple Crisp in the last few weeks and haven’t been able to get them out of my head.  I am an apple crisp fahreak, and once I saw this beautiful little honey crisps at Wegman’s, I was on a mission.

And fortunately, I had all the other ingredients on-hand already (fate!) and nothing but time on Saturday morning.  Which also led me to another running jaunt, but this time I took it outdoors with the pup.  Who, by the way, drug my sorry ass ALL OVER the place, which I’m blaming for having kind of an awful run.  I made it about 2.5 miles before calling it a day and walking another .5 miles.  I beat my previous “fastest mile” time though, but again, I think I can chalk that one up to Mac-doggy.

So back to the crisp.  I think we can all agree that the topping is the best part, yes?  Sure, warm, gooey apple slices coated in cinnamon and syrupy goodness are a wonderful treat, but the topping is where it’s at.  And had I not eaten half of it out of the bowl before slathering it on top, there probably would have been more to go around.

Despite my grabby-hands in the topping bowl, it still turned out freaking spectacular.  Who knew almond flour was so wonderful?  Not me, because let’s be honest, that stuff is like $9 a bag and until I had a reason to buy some, it was way out of my price range.  I think I’m ruined for life now though because, um, it’s amazing.  I’m planning on making this again for Thanksgiving so I don’t get shanky again while everyone is face-planting pumpkin pie.

Cast Iron Skillet Paleo Apple Crisp
(Adapted from Jen’s Gone Paleo)
Serves: 4
Total time: about 1 hr 20 min
You’ll Need:
3-4 large apples of your choice, peeled and small diced (I used honey crisp)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Dash of sea salt
1 T honey
Topping:
2 T coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup almond flour
1 T maple syrup
Handful chopped walnuts
2 T dried, shredded, unsweetened coconut
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Dash of sea salt

Directions:  Preheat oven to 35o.  In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients, toss until evenly coated.  Place into skillet.  In a separate bowl, combine topping ingredients and cover apples.  Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until topping is browned and crisp.  Serve with plain Greek yogurt and mixed berries for extra flavor!

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I don’t know why, but I swear nothing makes an apple crisp like a cast iron skillet.  Maybe it’s because it cost so much that I keep trying to find excuses to use it, but I swear.  It’s just the best.  So is this.  Make it.  Even if you don’t care about Paleo or carbs or anything of that nature.  Just invite me over and share, k?

Loveyoumeanit,

J