And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.

Happy Fall!  It always amazes me how quickly the summer goes.  And although I’m sad to see summer come to an end, I welcome autumn with open arms.  Crisp air, colorful leaves, cozy sweaters, warm fires, hot tea… the list could go on and on.
 
To me, the fall is always an ideal time for goal setting and getting back into a routine.  Summer is fun, but sometimes too much fun.  Somehow, (BBQ’s, vacations, enjoying a glass of rosé on the patio…) I always seem to get a bit off track.  Who says resolutions are just for The New Year???  We are constant works of progress.  

So I thought I'd share some of my goals, plus others that might be helpful ideas.

Autumn goal ideas for inspiration:

• ​                       Read 3 new books

           Try one new craft project for the home​
Establish an exercise routine/Join a gym/Try a new fitness class
                                                Try one new recipe every week
                                    Go out for a walk to photograph the leaves
                                                    Start a compost bin
                                                     Jump in the leaves
                                                       Carve a pumpkin
​                                                       Go apple picking

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So join me in my October Challenge!  NO ADDED SUGAR for two weeks.  You can do anything for two weeks.  This means checking every single label.  Salad dressings, mustard, tomato sauce, yogurt, cereal, even your peanut butter. 

The list of added sugars is pretty exhaustive.  This is a brief list of words to look for:                      Anhydrous dextrose, brown sugar, cane crystals, cane sugar, corn sweetener, corn           syrup, corn syrup solids, crystal dextrose, evaporated cane juice, fructose, fructose            sweetener, fruit juice concentrates, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, liquid            fructose, malt syrup, maltose, maple syrup, molasses, pancake syrup, raw sugar,                  sugar, syrup and white sugar...
​
This is a link for a more complete listing.  Pretty unreal how tricky they make it to read the label!

Join me!  Monday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 15th.  Let me know if you do the challenge!!

​And to help with the one new recipe per week goal, some of my favorites to get you started!

Portabella Veggie Burgers

​So delicious, AND easy to make.  Definitely one of my favorite veggie burgers. 
This is one that will satisfy meat-eaters too!

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

LOVE this pot pie.  A little bit of a splurge with the puff pastry...but totally worth it.  And it makes for such a pretty presentation!  Switch the vegetables if there is something you don’t like (spinach or Swiss chard for the kale, etc.)

One-Pot Red Lentil Sweet Potato Stew

​YUM!  Who doesn’t love a one-pot meal?
Fewer dishes to wash!

Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

What a great weeknight meal to throw together. 
And all on one sheet pan!  Use whatever vegetables you have on hand. 
Be sure to check out the video on the website.

Stuffed Baked Apples

​And you can’t go wrong with this healthy dessert. 
So healthy you could actually have it for breakfast!

Bon Appetit!!