Fall is hands down, without a doubt my all time favorite season of the year. Absolutely everything about it sets my soul on fire. From the beautiful autumn colors, to the crisp, cool fresh air, to pumpkin everything and scarves and sweaters; fall is my idea of what heaven must be like. Just thinking about fall makes me happy, and I know that I’m not the only one who adores this time of the year.
Fall always seem to fly by—it’s definitely feels like the shortest season of them all, so that’s why I’ve gotten a head start and have already started to knock items off my fall bucket list.
My Fit Fall Bucket List:
Take My Workout Outside.
Okay, a few things here: (1) cool fall weather is my favorite, (2) fresh air does wonders for my mental health, and (3) I want to take advantage of the outdoors before winter comes.
Whether is be a walk around my neighborhood or sprints in the park, I vow to take full advantage of the beautiful autumn months.
Stock up on Fall Produce at Local Farmers Markets.
I am a huge fan of supporting local and I just so happen to love every vegetable I’ve ever eaten. What better place to buy fresh produce of the season than at a Farmers Market? A chilly Saturday morning strolling around a Farmers Market with a hot coffee in one hand and a bag of fresh produce in the other sounds like a perfect morning to me. Some of my favorite fall produce includes acorn squash, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, cauliflower, garlic, pumpkin, sweet potato, and swiss chard.
Actually Finish a Corn Maze.
I’ve done a corn maze each year for the past 4 years, but I usually diddle around for 45 minutes and end up exiting through the entrance. This year I am determined to find my way out. The constant walking and changing direction are sure to get your heart rate up (especially if you have friends like mine who find joy in hiding just to pop out and scare you - you know who you are, friends).
Create a Healthy Homemade Version of a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Pumpkin spice lattes are one of my all-time favorite things in existence. It’s like autumn in a cup and it’s so deliciously wonderful, but not surprisingly they come at an expense--an extremely large caloric expense. Those suckers are nearly 400 calories of pure sugar. I want to attempt to create a healthier version of it at home this season, but of course I still will treat myself to a couple from Starbucks as well.
Go Apple Picking.
You know what they say-- an apple a day keeps the doctor away. You best believe I will take every opportunity I get to pick my very own apples from the tree instead of picking apples from giant bins at grocery stores that have had a million dirty hands grabbing at them. It’s a super cute thing to do with your friends or significant other while getting some light exercise (even an arm workout if you get stuck carrying the bag) and scoring yourself some fresh apples.
Make Healthy Baked Goods.
I love to cook, but baking is not my area of expertise. Practice makes perfect though, right? I can bake using some fresh produce I picked up for the local farmers market and apple orchards. I want to get creative with incorporating pumpkin puree in basically everything. It’s so good for you; it’s packed with vitamins and is a great source of fiber. Something about having the patio cracked, letting the cool fresh air in while I’m busy baking something delicious in the kitchen sounds like a perfect fall day to me. I can almost smell apple crisp just thinking about it..
Carve a Pumpkin and Bake the Seeds.
Let’s be honest, pumpkins are hell of a lot cuter when they are not carved into jack-o-lanterns, but there’s nothing wrong with a little arm workout in hopes to hit the seed jackpot. I eat pumpkin seeds on a daily basis. I’m huge on texture, so I love to throw pumpkin seeds into my salads, protein smoothies, or yogurt to add a little bit of a crunch. Plus, they are rich in antioxidants and are a healthy source of fat.
Host a Brunch.
I did this in the spring, but how fun does a fall, pumpkin-themed brunch sound?! I could maybe even make it a contest to see who can make the best seasonal dish. A brunch sounds like a fun (and delicious) idea!
Go for a Hike.
Every fall I make a point to go up north for a weekend and do some light hiking in the Chequamegon National Forest. The colors, the smell of leaves, surrounded by nothing but beauty—it’s one of my favorite weekends of the entire year. It’s a time to spend by yourself or with family, with no cellphone to disconnect from the world for while, and all you can hear is the crunching of leaves underneath your feet.
Make Homemade Nut Butters.
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats. I love all sorts of nut butters, but often times the ones you buy from stores are just packed with sugar and things other just simply nuts. Like why, Jif, WHY?
Make a Homemade Chili.
Nothing quite screams being an adult as much as whipping up a big ole pot of homemade chili. Homemade chili can actually be very nutritious and since one does not simply make a single bowl of chili, but instead a giant-ass pot of it, it’ll be a perfect meal prep idea!
I hope you get outside to enjoy the beautiful weather while you can and eat all the pumpkin-flavored goodies your little heart desires this season. Happy fall, y’all!