(Note from Allison: Ya’ll MUST go check out Ali’s blog and see her cute little daughter!  She is just the sweetest little thing on the face of the earth!)

How here’s the Healthy Hostess!

Fall has arrived and that means apple season in upon us.  With local orchards around many places, apple picking is the perfect fall activity to do with your family.  The benefits of loading up a basket of fresh, local apples go beyond just having a good time.  Apples are an extremely healthy fruit!
Some benefits of this delicious fruit are:

• good source of fiber
• possess detoxifying qualities which are good for cleansing the body
• helps protect bone health
• contain phytonutrient called quercetin may help to prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism
• great source of antioxidants
• helpful in preventing cancers and heart disease
• lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
• good source of vitamin B and vitamin C

Once you have picked your apples, turn your hard work into a tasty treat!

Homemade Local Apple Crisp

• 6 large apples, peeled and cut into pieces
• cooking spray
• 1/4 c. white sugar or stevia baking mix
• 1.5 t. + 1.5 t. cinnamon
• 2/3 c. oats
• 2/3 c. multigrain baking mix
• 1/3 c. brown sugar
• 1/3 c. coconut oil

1. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, combine apples, sugar of choice, 11/2 tsp. cinnamon. Stir to coat
3. Place apples in the 9×13.
4. Make topping: combine 1.5 t. cinnamon, oats, baking mix, brown sugar and oil.
5. Stir topping until crumbly.
6. Cover apples with crumb topping.
7. Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes [until golden brown and bubbly].
8. Serve!