“Spice Up” your Fall
Some of us don’t get to experience the leaves changing color and a chill entering the air to show that fall is on the horizon. Although it has been stunning outside in Florida, I’m not feeling the fall vibes so I wanted to give a list of fun things to do/make that will get us all in the spirit. One of the reasons I love holidays is because they make everyday life much more exciting.
The first thing I did to embrace fall was super simple. I started with my breakfast. I didn’t make anything, it was all pre-made from the store which was helpful on a school morning. I bought MUSH oats in the flavor pumpkin pie and snickerdoodle and I bought chicken and sage sausage from Applegate. The next morning I had my pumpkin pie oats with a sausage link, fruit, and a superfood chai latte. My mom got me this incredible chai latte powder that is so delicious. It is from Clevr Blends and is made with Oatmilk powder, Ashwagandha (helps with stress reduction), Lion’s mane (aids in focus and memory), Reishi (immunity), and probiotics (digestion). Drinking this warm, silky deliciousness felt like fall in a mug. Although I love to cook and bake, sometimes that isn’t feasible so I wanted to put together a list of my favorite fall items. These aren’t all solely for fall, but they remind me of fall and put me in the vibe
MUSH pumpkin pie and snickerdoodle overnight oats
Applegate chicken and sage sausage
Clevr Blends Chai SuperLatte
Chai nut butter from Big Spoon (this costs an arm and a leg, but it is the best thing ever). However, if you don’t want to buy it, you can create a chai spice blend and put it on top of a different nut butter. Depending on how much of the spice blend you want, you will have to adjust portions. Combine cardamom, allspice, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Charcuterie: this isn’t just a fall thing, but it feels festive to me. I have loved perusing the cheese isle at Whole Foods and finding delicious combinations to pair with it. For example, blue cheese with apricots and/or honeycomb, sharp cheddar with prosciutto and date/walnut bar, goat cheese with jam, etc. You can make tons of fun combinations and curate them to the appropriate season.
Pomegranate seeds: these remind me of fall and add the perfect zing to any dish. I love to add them to salads or yogurt bowls.
Figs: its fig season!!! Add them to toast, savory dishes, and charcuterie boards.
Butternut squash: as a delicious side dish you could add warm spices like cinnamon or eat it with nut butter in the morning.
Brussels sprouts: simply roast them with olive oil, salt, and pepper or spice it up. If you don’t like Brussels sprouts you will love them with maple syrup and bacon or a balsamic glaze.
Bacon: savory bacon or maple bacon is to die for. If you roast them on a sheet pan with brown sugar and syrup you are sure to go straight to heaven.
Quinoa: one of my favorite fall grains to use in a delicious warm grain bowl.
Farro: for some reason this screams fall to me and is another yummy grain to use.
After listing some of these ingredients, I want to give you ideas of how to mix and match with them! One of my favorite fall activities is going on Pinterest and looking for meals to make. Whether I am looking for something nutritious or something for the soul, Pinterest has super fun ideas and gets my creativity going.
Delicious Healthy Fall Meals/ Side Dishes:
Quinoa veggie bowl: roasted carrots, butternut squash, zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli, quinoa, vinaigrette (combine dijon mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, and olive oil). You can also add dried cranberries, feta, and sliced almonds.
Farro, kale bowl: farro, cooked kale, mushrooms with shallots, pomegranate seeds. Add a squeeze of lemon, olive oil, and salt.
Butternut squash with goat cheese and pomegranate seeds: butternut squash roasted with oil, salt, oregano, thyme, and rosemary, goat cheese (for a more herby flavor, buy the herbed goat cheese), and pomegranate seeds.
Pumpkin whipped feta: https://www.walderwellness.com/pumpkin-whipped-feta-dip/
Roasted carrots with goat cheese and pecans
Salad with fennel, celery, butter lettuce, roasted hazelnuts, and shaved pecorino cheese.
Sheet pan dinner: Add sausage and veggies of choice to a sheet pan with rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and oil and bake.
Turkey chili
Cranberry rosemary chicken: https://40aprons.com/cranberry-rosemary-one-pan-chicken/
Brussels sprout salad: shaved Brussels sprouts, kale, apple, sharp cheddar, and pecans.
Curried butternut squash soup: https://minimalistbaker.com/curried-butternut-squash-soup/
Baked feta soup (great if you want tomato soup with a little extra protein. It’s also like have grilled cheese and tomato soup all together): https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a39039812/baked-feta-soup-recipe/
Carrot ginger soup: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a38760973/carrot-ginger-soup-recipe/
Sagey leek and white bean patties: https://www.feastingathome.com/white-bean-patties/
Fun Fall Activities:
Go to the Farmer’s Market: since the weather has been amazing, going to the farmer’s market was super enjoyable. I didn’t go to purchase anything, instead I just went for the experience. It was fun to look around at the options and I liked walking outside and breathing in the fresh air.
Carve/painting pumpkins: I know everyone talks about carving pumpkins, but it really is a great activity. I like to find ideas on Pinterest, take out all the seeds and bake them, and carve my pumpkin while enjoying pumpkin seeds. If you don’t feel like getting messy, or you want to dig into your artistic side, try painting pumpkins!
Create a fall meal: having a fall get-together is another fun activity. I love to plan out meals to make or designate each person to a dish for a potluck. Coming together and cooking all day and then eating your hard work is a blast. Find something that sounds good to you and challenge yourself to make it. This year, I am dying to make homemade ravioli with butternut squash filling and a brown butter sage sauce. I want to put an egg yoke in between the ravioli because I’ve seen it, but I have never attempted it. I want to do a fall x Italian night where I “fallify” different Italian foods like pasta, pizza, etc.
Scavenger hunt: this may sound childish… and it may be childish but buying candy, hiding it, and having friends look for it is actually very entertaining.
Pie night: cook and pie for dinner and a pie for dessert! Gather your favorite people or just yourself and make a savory pie and a sweet pie. I want to make a chicken pot pie and then a fruit pie with streusel. You can also make these into individual sizes.
Fall pancake morning: whether it be pumpkin pancakes, apple pancakes, chai pancakes, etc. You can make these nutritious with 2 cups oats, 1 1/4 cup milk of choice, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 2 large eggs, 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend the ingredients and cook on a griddle. Adjust spices as necessary and serve with either maple syrup, nut butter, or yogurt. If you want to get a little crazier I will provide links to other ideas. Apple cider donut pancakes: https://bromabakery.com/apple-cider-donut-pancakes/. Pumpkin cinnamon streusel pancakes: https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/pumpkin-cinnamon-streusel-pancakes/#wprm-recipe-container-41926.
Explore you city: during the week I had off after the hurricane, I decided to explore more of the area I live in. I walked the bridge, the beach, and our downtown area, I went to The Ringling Museum for yoga, etc. Pretend to be a tourist in your area and do all the things you take for granted. ]
Go picking for fruit/ go to a pumpkin patch
Fall self care: this may include things like lightning a fall candle, meditating, reading, getting cozy, watching a fall show.
Fall crafts/ coloring