10 Healthy Ways to Embrace Autumn

Happy Friday, and Happy Autumn friends!

Yesterday officially marked the first day of fall for all of us in the Northern Hemisphere! I really enjoy this time of the year, how about you guys? Keeping it nice & light, today I’m sharing 10 fun ways to embrace the season!

1.) Go apple picking. Already have this one checked off my autumn list!

2.) Hit the trails // Go for walks. I love the crisp air and cool breezes that hit in fall. I love the return back to the steady 70 degree days in San Diego, and it’s actually my favorite time of the year weather-wise in the Northeast where I’m from.

If you live near hilly terrain, take advantage of the perfect outdoor workout weather and hit the trails with your pup, family or friends. If you live in a flat area, visit your favorite area park – or try a new one! – to get some nice long walks in. If you live in an area that gets cold and icy in the winter, get outdoors now while you still can!

Just yesterday evening I went hiking with my pup at Elfin Forest, and it was glorious!

3.) Reevaluate your goals & start fresh with your intentions. For me, a new season feels like a new start. Take time to think about the ways that you can improve your life and cultivate new healthy habits.

4.) After you do #1, make apple pie autumn granola. I just made a batch earlier this week, and it’s like fall in a bowl. The recipe is vegan, gluten free, free of refined sugar… and delicious!

5.) Stash up on your herbal tea collection. I’m a big tea drinker, but I pretty much stop drinking it all of summer while it’s hot out. The desire to sip a hot drink hits me once the weather cools down a bit, and I love stocking up on new teas this time of the year. Peppermint & pumpkin flavors are my favorite autumn-time teas!

6.) Head to a football game. ‘Tis the season for my favorite sport in the world! Even if you’re not a diehard football fan, I still think that games for pretty much any sport are entertaining and fun to attend… so give it a try if you live near any college or NFL teams! I think that the hubby and I may be heading to a game very soon…

7.) Open up your home. With cooler nights starting to hit most of the country, now is the time to get some fresh air flowing into your home. I love opening up my windows and screen doors every time I’m home. Fresh air and natural lighting is an automatic mood booster!

8.) Go nuts for pumpkin & get your baking on! It always seems like the baking bug hits me as soon as the summer temperatures drop, and a seasonal favorite ingredient, pumpkin, brings endless baking possibilities. A few of my current go-to recipes are Pumpkin Apple Banana Muffins {vegan} & Pumpkin Pecan Banana Bread {vegan}.

9.) And speaking of pumpkin, make sure to carve pumpkins with loved ones once October hits. Pumpkin carving is an annual friendly competition between my hubby and me – it’s our Halloween-time tradition!

10.) Nab autumn scented candles. I already bought pumpkin + sugar & spice candles at Bed, Bath & Beyond the other day, and I enjoy them all season long. In fact, I currently have my pumpkin one burning in my living room next to me! To me, candles just set the mood of relaxation, so I love having them burning often at home.

Tell me, how do you like to embrace the season?