17 Ways to Have More Fun in Fall
At last, the leaves have turned red and orange, and you’ve ordered your first pumpkin spice latte of the season, which means one thing: autumn is here. And even apart from our favorite hot beverage, this season has a lot to offer, so you definitely don’t have to mourn the summer. We’ve got 17 tips for you to make fall the best time of the year.
Related: 11 tips to keep your moods up as the temps drop.
1. Hit the trail for a cool weather walk…
Of course, you can’t miss the classic. It’s not too hot, not too cold and whether in the forest or in the city, everywhere looks much nicer thanks to the colorful leaves and chestnuts. The perfect time to collect steps.
2. …and pick up the pace.
While you’re at it, you might as well turn your walk into a run. The temperature is perfect and you don’t have to worry about missing anything when you lace up your running shoes after work, because your friends are probably spending the time on the couch instead of in the beer garden anyway.
3. Dare to try our Halloween Workout…
Whether you’re at home or at the gym, this workout is sure to get you sweating with five terrifyingly intense exercises.
4. …or reserve a bike for a spooky indoor ride…
On 31 October, ride.bln will host Halloween themed classes, complete with eerily dark studios, tricked out decorations, techno ghost music, and plenty of scary climbs.
5. …and don’t forget to recover!
After an intense workout, nothing goes better than an autumnal Pumpkin Spice Latte protein shake.
6. Host a scary movie night.
Turn out the lights and give yourself and your friends a right with a scary film. We’re going to be watching The Haunting of Hill House while hoping these seasonal frosted muffins make things a little less heart-pounding.
7. Put down the pumpkin spice (temporarily).
When you need a break from pumpkin spice everything, our No-Bake Carrot Cake is a perfect alternative. Plus carrots are a very good source of dietary fiber; vitamins A, C, and K; and potassium.
8. Eat seasonally…
Fall is the season for an incredible amount of fruits and vegetables, such as beet, lamb’s lettuce, apples, Brussels sprouts and parsnips. Not only are you supporting regional farmers, but you’re also supporting your healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables that have been allowed to ripen long enough will provide you with significantly more nutrients and taste better, too.
9. …get your gourd on…
Where better to get the poster vegetable of fall. Grab some sweet baking pumpkins for cooking—we’re’ obsessed with this—vegan pumpkin peanut stew—and pick up a big one for carving.
10. …but save the seeds.
When you’re carving that beautiful Halloween gourd, save the gooey seeds on the inside. Wash off all of the pulp, pat them dry with a clean dish towel, toss with a little avocado oil and salt, spread them in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and roast in the oven at 160 degrees C until seeds are golden and dry, 20 to 30 minutes. The little crunchers are a great source of healthy fats, and are packed with vitamin K and healthy minerals.
11. Make time to read.
Anyone living in cool weather climates this time of year knows it can get gloomy. Next time the sky opens up, put down the smartphone (yes, we know you’re probably reading on one right now) and grab a book. Older research suggests reading can reduce your stress by as much as 68%.
12. Pay attention to your skin care routine.
In the fall, and going into winter, the air loses its humidity, which can contribute to dry skin. Meanwhile, on a sunny day, you are still getting bombarded with UV rays. Make sure you’re moisturising daily with face and body lotions that contain SPF.
13. Get your soup on.
Warming soups are simply a must in autumn. Apart from the classic pumpkin soup, you can also try a vegan cauliflower soup, a high protein pea soup or a beet soup with cashew swirl.
14. Warm up in the sauna.
A day at the spa is always pure relaxation, but in the fall it just feels twice as good to warm up in the sauna. A meta-analysis published in the journal Environmental Research and Public Health showed that taking a sauna not only feels good, but can also have a positive impact on your overall health and risk of cardiovascular disease.
15. Make time for journaling.
We often have more time to ourselves in the fall. It’s the perfect opportunity to jot down thoughts, to-dos, and whatever else is buzzing in your head. You can read about the scientifically proven benefits this can have for you here.
16. Pick your own fruit…
Even if you live in the city, there are bound to be farms near you where it’s possible to pick apples in the fall. Not only will you spend a picture-perfect fall day, but you’ll also get to show off your vertical jump when you nab the apple at the top of the tree no one else could reach.
17. …and eat them from morning to night.
Wondering what to do with all those freshly picked (or store bought) apples? We’ve got a few ideas. Get a healthy start to your day with our Apple Pie Baked Oats.
More interesting articles from foodspring:
- Amazing squash nutrition facts to pump(kin) up your health
- What we love about fall vegetables – and some delish recipes
- Jogging in Fall: How to get or keep your routine as temps drop
Sources for this article
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