Five Fall Favorites

• October 26th, 2010
• Posted in Health, Nutrition
• 5 Comments

I fall in love with fall every season. In fact, during the summer months I find myself daydreaming about burnt-red leaves crinkling amongst mustard yellow ones; fuzzy socks that toast-up your toes—of course, the brightly colored neon ones (and if you can get polka dots in there—even better!); the musky warming-of-the-soul smell of burning firewood; and how can I forget???—the excitement of busting out the fall boots—and scarves! Oh—how I love my scarves!

But, another reason why I leap into the open arms of fall is my burning desire for warm, hearty, belly-filling and soul-satisfying eats and drinks.

Here are my top five fall favorites!

1. Trader Joe’s Wintry Coffee Blend: This coffee means fall has hit! This toasty blend is dosed with a heaping amount of peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon to truly bring out the fall in even the truest of the summer seekers. But, fear not non-coffee drinkers, the magical realm of fall may be celebrated in tea! Check out Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tea Selection. If the flavors don’t do you in, the boxes will! Yup, I’m a sucker for cutesy cartoons. My favorite flavors are Gingerbread Spice and Candy Cane Lane. A big added bonus here is that you get all the flavor without  the calories or fat of the real deal versions. So go ahead, have as much Ginger Spice as desired!
2. Ooey-Gooey Oats: Try this creation! 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats (dry) made with unsweetend vanilla almond milk and topped off with warmed apple chunks (cut a small apple into chunks and microwave for about three minutes or until tender). Then, mix  the combined oats and apple chunks with 1/2-1  tablespoon of all-natural peanut or almond butter and dash with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar or any sweetener of choice. This is a power breakfast—filled with fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants that will keep you going through the morning. There’s nothing better than these ooey-gooey oats on a cold wintry morning.
3. Hot Chocolate: Need I say more? Whether made at home with cocoa powder, sugar, and milk or bought in ready-to-go packets, everyone rejoices in hot chocolate season! Personally, I like to drink it topped with a few marshmallows while watching Grey’s Anatomy and curled up in sweats, a ratty old t-shirt and fuzzy socks—my bright pink ones, of course! And no, I’m not kidding, but you prolly know that by now. Just be sure to keep this cocoa delight to less than 200 calories, if you’re watching your waistline, so this delight doesn’t become a plight!
4. Squash: Whether acorn, spaghetti, butternut, or banana, winter squashes are here, and they’re ready to add healthy heartiness to your meals! Replace your usual starch—brown rice, pasta, couscous or potatoes—with these winter wonders to spice things up while still being kind to your waistline. Note: to do any squash up, all you must do is clean the insides, give it a few pierces, and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes! Also, add a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar to the squash before baking for a true fall favorite. Lastly, don’t forget the squash puree! Bake for 60 minutes, scoop out the inwards, and whip it up!
5. Pears: these sweet juicy fruits are fabulous on their own, but can also be baked or grilled for a healthy sweet treat. Slice pear slices, sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar and bake at 375 for about 30-35 minutes or until tender. Alternatively, slice thin pear slices and place on the grill or in a sauté pan, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, for a quick warming that brings out the sweet! This way you’re still getting in your sweet treat with way less calories and way more fiber than most desserts! Yay! But, if you want a fancier pear treat, check out this recipe!

What’s your favorite fall foodie find?