Fall Bingo
Happy first day of fall! I am welcoming cozy sweaters, hot lattes, and roasted butternut squash with wide open arms (and mouth). First of all, YES, it does get chilly enough for cozy sweaters in California (50º is COLD). And while this fall might look a little different without all of the usual back-to-school vibes, football games, and Halloween parties, there is no shortage of opportunities to embrace all that this season has to offer.
I’ve put together a list of inexpensive ideas to get you in the fall mood and “spice” things up… so get PUMP-ed!
1. VOTE. That’s right, Election Day is quickly approaching. Double check that you’re registered in your state, educate yourself on the candidates and exercise your right to vote on November 3.
2. (pumpkin) Spice up your home. Get lit with fall candles from Black-owned businesses, pick up a bouquet of burnt orange and golden yellow flowers from your local Farmer’s Market, and carve or paint pumpkins for decor. Be sure to keep it your house clean with Mrs. Meyer’s Pumpkin Everyday Cleaner spray!
3. At-home spa night. Exfoliate with TULA’s Pumpkin Sugar Scrub in the shower, then light your “Basic B*tch” candle and apply a Summer Fridays Pumpkin Overtime Mask. If you’re feeling frisky, try out Native’s Pumpkin Spice (aluminum free) Deodorant. Put a fresh fall color on your nails or apply hand-painted super gels (Color Camp is my FAV!), then cozy up with a good book to give yourself a break from any screens.
4. Explore the outdoors. Check out hikes near you, or go for a scenic drive with a fall playlist on your speakers and homemade PSL in your hand.
5. Make a savory, seasonal dish. Try one of these Healthy Fall Apps, make a big pot of Hearty Chili or Chicken Tortilla Soup, or follow this full Fall Dinner Party Menu from start to finish to impress your guests. Keep in mind that seasonal produce will be cheapest to buy right now - search for recipes using squash, Brussel sprouts, pomegranates, apples, pears, pumpkin and other fall fruits and veggies.
6. Bake a sweet, seasonal treat. My favorite fall (healthy) treats include Pumpkin Spice Superhero Muffins, this Apple and Blackberry Crumble, and a S’Mores Cookie Skillet; or try this Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Quick Bread Mix if you’re short on time… just don’t forget to use your Pumpkin Spatula to scrape the bowl so you don’t waste any of that precious batter! My advice: double the batch and deliver some to your neighbor.
7. Switch out your wardrobe. Let’s be honest - cozy clothes aren’t just a trend for fall 2020. Chances are you’ve been living in sweats for most of the year already… but it’s time to replace your tie-dye sweats with soft, oversized sweaters. Instead of adding more to your wardrobe, consider going through what you have already, and donate/swap anything you don’t love or need anymore.
8. It’s football season and Big Ben is back! Football means wings, beers and bags. Make this 15-Minute Crispy Chicken recipe (serve with buffalo sauce of course), try a pumpkin beer or support a local brewery, and challenge some friends to an outdoor game of bags. Watch the game… or not. If you came just for the food/drinks, I won’t judge!
9. Volunteer. Find a way to give back this season - volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate to a food drive, visit the elderly, etc. If you’re local to the SF area, here’s a great resource of 14 Volunteer Opportunities to Keep San Francisco Golden.
10. Stay active! It’s tempting to start hibernating when you hear your first leaf crunch, but I encourage you to find ways to incorporate movement in your daily routine. Maybe you take a daily walk (bonus points if your phone is on airplane mode), sign up for a local Virtual Turkey Trot, follow me on Instagram (@eat_lift_bemarried) for workout ideas, take group classes, or commit to a workout guide (you can browse mine here). Find what works for YOU! I recently signed up for Boston’s Finish Strong Challenge - 3 virtual races in the next 3 months. If you’re interested in it, I’d love to work together on a Personalized Running Program or give you suggestions for a free, generic plan to follow. Whatever you decide to do… let’s finish 2020 strong!
Quick Pumpkin Wins: for when you need quick and convenient, pop a Pumpkin Pie SmashMallow in your hot coco or on your s’more, sprinkle Purely Elizabeth’s Pumpkin Cinnamon Granola on Greek yogurt, prep Pumpkin Overnight Oats, pick up a Pressed Juicery pumpkin freeze, and swap out the Starbucks PSL for a Pumpkin Foam Cold Brew (or order a PSL with a few these simple hacks to make it a bit better for you).
