Fall for Fun!

It's the last day of September, and I couldn't be more content. It's autumn! The seasons are shifting! And best of all, it's almost October- the month of Halloween, cider, harvest festivals, beautiful leaves... you can't beat it.

I used to think that fall was all about hunkering down, but this year, I'm learning that autumn season is all about getting out! Here are some fun activities to toss on your autumnal to-do list:

VISIT FARMERS MARKETS
So many delicious foods are in season- broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, oranges, leeks, sweet potatoes, lettuce... you might as well buy it at its freshest. Even if you don't feel like buying fresh produce, it's nice to visit farmer's markets. They're an excuse to slow down, enjoy the crisp fall weather, and indulge in some great people watching.

VISIT FARMS
Call me a late bloomer, but I had never been apple picking before. Boy was I missing out! Nothing tastes better than a freshly-picked apple. If you're near an apple orchard, pay it a visit- or several. I picked as many apples as I could carry last weekend, and they're already almost gone! Don't know where to go? PickYourOwn.org can help you find a farm near you.

GO TO HARVEST FESTIVALS
Lots of local farms host fall harvest festivals, complete with corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin patches. I haven't been to one since I was a kid, and I think it's time to go back. Maybe you should too! Hey, if you're in Utah, you can even die laughing in a corn maze of the Twilight nature- harharhar!

BAKE
I am a major fan of pumpkin pie. And sugar cookies (do you like the autumn batch I baked up?). And chocolatey sweets. Take that fresh produce you pick and purchase and whip up something delicious. Life may be chaotic, but when you're smelling the warm aroma of baking pie, it's difficult to fret about much of anything.

CELEBRATE
Nobody is too old for Halloween. Whether you host a party, trick-or-treat with your kids and family, or turn of all your lights and hide away from "those darn hooligans," you can find a fun Halloween activity that suits you. Such as roasting pumpkin seeds. YUM.

No matter what you do this season, I hope you have a blast doing it. If you have any fun fall suggestions of your own, leave a comment to share it with the rest of us!

Cara Linn Cakes

Over the years, I have come to learn that not all sweets are created equal. Sugar is fine, but honestly, a desert is not worth sticking a fork into unless it meets certain criteria: (1) It must be fresh (2) It must be made with real, natural ingredients, and (3) it must be beautiful!
Our very own editor-in-chief Gina LaMorte just introduced me to a cake shop that meets- and exceeds my criteria. Cara Linn Cakes are fresh, sweetened only with organic cane sugar, and GEORGEOUS! They even offer vegan and raw food options, which is no small feat!
Lucky for you, they're discounting cakes through June 25th! Even the wedding cakes are 40% off. Is it strange that I want to grab a random (but good-looking, mind you) man off the street and marry him so I can get one?
If you are anywhere near Brooklyn, NY, you've got to check them out. If you're too far away, you can always just check out their blog to see the pretty pictures!
Oh, and if you'll be swinging by San Francisco at any point, bring me one of their cupcakes! I simply must try one!!!

Green Quick Fix: Olive Oil

Is the cold winter weather leaving you with chapped lips?  Next time you're in the kitchen, reach for the naturally moisturizing power of olive oil.  While you're cooking, rub some on your lips and enjoy the relief!  To prevent dryness in the future, be sure to stay hydrated and apply lip balm (preferably with UV protection) before you step outside.