3 Healthy Habits for Fall

My favorite season is here! The temperatures are dropping and its time for sweater weather and pumpkin picking. With the change of season comes not only a new wardrobe but busier schedules and a change in mentality. People tend to be more relaxed in the summer months and in “vacation mode,” but once fall rolls around, our schedules get more jam packed with work commitments, weekend plans and inevitably starting to plan for the holidays. When we get busier, some of our healthy habits may fall by the wayside. It happens to all of us, including myself, so I decided to make a commitment to try three different healthy habits for fall:

1. Exercise Outdoors

Fall is the perfect time for outdoor workouts since the temperatures have cooled down and you can stay outdoors and workout out without breaking a sweat. It’s the perfect time for long outdoor runs or bike rides to enjoy the fall foliage. You can also enjoy tons of outdoor group activities to get a workout like hiking, a game of tag football, a fun run or an obstacle race like Tough Mudder. However you prefer to workout, just be sure to get outdoors and enjoy the weather before you’re stuck indoors at your gym all winter long. I personally love to run, especially in the fall, and this weekend I went for a hike with some friends at the Ramapo Valley Reservation in Mahwah, NJ.

2. Warm up with a hot beverage

Nothing is better on a cool fall day than enjoying a hot beverage, but think twice before ordering that Pumpkin Spice Latte! There are other healthier options available without all the added calories and sugar. Instead opt for green tea or matcha, powdered green tea that actually incorporates the whole tealeaf and contains more antioxidants. I have to admit that I do love a Pumpkin Spice Latte once in awhile, but this weekend I tried a healthier version I saw on the blog, Crave the Good.

Here is what you’ll need to make your own:

– 1 cup almond milk

– 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

– 2 tbsp. honey

– 1 tsp. vanilla

– 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

– 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

– 1 cup strong brewed coffee

Directions:

1. Mix almond milk, pumpkin puree, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice into a pot and mix thoroughly.
2. Heat the mixture over medium health and stir often.
3. Once the mixture reaches a light simmer, transfer to a blender with the coffee and blend until a layer of foam appears. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!

3. Go Easy on the Sweets

During this time of year with Halloween right around the corner and the holidays coming up, there are sweets everywhere! Luckily there are other healthier treats to enjoy during this season like fresh fall produce including apples, pears, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes and more. The weekends are a perfect time to visit your local farmers market to pick up fresh fall produce or head to a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Use this fresh fall produce to make delicious homemade treats like a Crispy Apple Tart and enjoy pumpkin seeds as a healthy fall snack.