Fallin’ for fall

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, fall was always an anticipated time of year for me. After a beautiful bustling, sunshiny summer, fall usually crept up rather fast, but it was always more than welcomed. The gorgeous leaves turning ombré shades of orange and red. Cool crisp air with those late bits of summer sunshine still peeking through the skies. Really nothing beats those days. Where you can feel the warmth of the sun on your skin but the air is cool and crisp. There is a smell you can almost see. It’s candied spices and dew dropped. It gives me all the feels just thinking about it.

Some of my favorite moments in Seattle are those days wrapped in your favorite sweater, holding your first pumpkin spice latte of the season. Stepping over crunchy leaves beneath your boots as you walk the Greenlake loop. Soaking in that wet cedar smell while admiring all the burnt amber trees lining the lake.

It’s a season that brings changes, new beginnings and the start of the holiday season. There is an excitement and anticipation that lies deep within, knowing all the joy that the next few months will bring. Family gatherings, delicious foods, festive cocktails and dreams of what the New Year will unveil.

October is genuinely one of my favorite months, even though I love my summer days, there is nothing quite like October. Halloween is right around the corner, which means costume plans are in full go-mode, decorations are slowly starting to take part around your home and the throughout the neighborhood. It means strolls around the block ooohing and ahhhing as my kids see spooky ghosts, goblins and pumpkins galore in the neighbors yards. It brings a sense of nostalgia of my own childhood and all the fun that was had in October.

Growing up, many traditions took part in autumn. Some of my fondest memories were of my family and our antique apple press. Every fall, we’d pull out the old press and spend a full day making fresh apple juice that was to die for. Crates overflowing with various breeds of apples which were carefully plucked from the orchards in the days preceding. We would host family and friends to join in on the festivities, sipping hot spiced cider as we all took turns cranking that old press. Something I can’t wait for my own children to experience when we return to the PNW.

The traditions go all the way back to my early, early years. That vary press was a passed down from my paternal grandmother and grandfather. One I hope to pass down to my own children one day.

Fall is also a time to slow it down. We all are guilty of having busy, jammed packed summers- with so many activities to schedule in the summer months it’s a nice change of pace when the cooler months come. It’s a time to finally sit back and reflect. Reflect on all the fun you had while embracing the slowness that autumn brings.

Living in Florida we’ve really had to acclimate. Fall is certainly nothing compared to what we were used to. We don’t get many season changes as most other parts of the world get. It’s honestly one of the things I dislike most about living here. Yes we get a slight downshift in humidity and the temperatures change from the 90s to a more moderate 80s average. Mornings and evenings give you a slight taste of fall, which only leave you wanting more. But really, that’s about it. No falling leaves, no cool afternoon walks, it’s definitely NOT soup season and hot pumpkin spice lattes rarely sound good (major boo.)

Sometimes I just have to pretend it’s cool here. I blast the AC on rainy days and burn all the pumpkin candles I can get my hands on. I cozy up on the couch snuggled in the fluffiest socks I own, while binge watching Hocus Pocus with my favorite Little’s. I even whipped up a batch of GF vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to really set the mood– sometimes you just have to roll with what your given and make the most of it!

For some, fall is a time to get back to basics and reel in the summer slips. After all, “vacation mode” is basically a permanent mode, July-September. Once fall hits most of us are ready to reset our intentions and get back on the workout train. However, once holiday season sneaks up we’re already back to our old ways and slipping up too often.

One thing I have learned living in eternal sunshine, is that swimsuit season is certainly not over, even though the calendar says so. It’s taught me to be mindful year round. There is no “getting summer ready,” when you have to stay summer ready. It’s taught me to stay focused and conscious the whole year. There’s no putting on your north face or hiding behind bulky sweaters and jeans until spring time. It’s something I will forever take with me. No matter the weather change. It’s made such an impact on how I feel each month and takes the stress out of the much dreaded “swimsuit season.” It has taught me that my health is not seasonal. It’s something I need to constantly be working on and thriving to stay consistent with. Of course we all have times where our nutrition slips, but it’s about how you get back on track that counts.

I’m grateful for conducive weather, for year round runs, but it can’t be an excuse when the day comes that I don’t have sunshine at my disposal. I’ll need to get creative and find ways to stay active and health conscious even through sweater season.

Find ways to stick with your health the entire year. I urge you to set goals this year (before the new year) that sets you up for success the entire year. Make it a priority to stay active through the rainy season or likewise for us sunshine staters, staying active in the intense summer heat too. Not using weather as a crutch this year, but rather working with it and getting inventive to stay active. Make it your prerogative to keep your nutrition goals the same, whether summer is on the cusp or not.

Wherever you are, find the joys that fall brings, even if you have to artificially create it. Appreciate the slowness and beauty that season change will create. It’s a time of year to reflect and reprioritize what’s important to you.

What are your favorite things about fall, how are your goals going to be different this year?? I’d love to hear in the comments.

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GF vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookie
recipe:

1 3/4 cups almond flour

1/2 tsp pink salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground ginger

1/4 cup coconut oil (melted then cooled)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips (can use regular chocolate chips too)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Line a large baking sheet with baking mat or parchment paper

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and spices.

Using a mixer, combine the cooled (but not solid)coconut oil and sugars together. Add vanilla extract and pumpkin purée and mix until combined. Slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Finally add in the chocolate chips.

Drop rounded tablespoons onto baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to brown around the edges. Let the cool and place on wire cooling rack to cool completely