Holy Moly it’s the 4th October! Autumn is upon us! Where did most of 2021 go?! Happily for me, autumn is my favourite season! As a foodie, I love the seasonal ingredients at this time of the year! This article delves into my top 5 reasons why autumn is my favourite season!
1. Beautiful Walks
I had a moment yesterday. I was out walking with my partner and our dog Skye, and we were going up a footpath surrounded by fields, in the flat Lincolnshire countryside (am I painting a good picture?!). The treelined path was crunchy underfoot from the orange and brown leaves which had fallen, and it was just a beautiful sight. It was in that moment that I stopped and took a deep breath in the fresh air, turning and grinning at my partner; “AUTUMN IS HERE!”
Don’t get me wrong, I do miss the daylight hours as it quickly gets darker earlier and earlier, but there’s just something refreshing about pulling on your coat and heading outside, squelching mud underfoot with your breath visible in front of you. Getting outdoors can be so therapeutic. Even if you nip outside as a 10-minute break from work, it’s just as good for your mind as it is for your body to have a little movement. It’s an undisputed fact that exercise is good for our health, yet a common misconception is that exercise must be a particular style of sweaty gym workout to ‘count.’ This is a problem because it can put people off doing any form of exercise when all movement counts. So why can’t it be zipping up your jacket for a walk in the fresh air? Then you can look forward to getting all cosy when you get back inside. Win-win!
2. Butternut Squash
Hands down, my favourite vegetable! It’s so versatile; you can roast it, mash it, make it into soup…it’s so comforting just as the weather turns. I don’t know about you, but in the colder weather, I want to eat food which makes me feel nice and filled up. A leafy salad just isn’t going to cut it. I pretty much buy a butternut squash every week at this time of the year. If I’m not going to incorporate it into one of our evening meals, I’ll chop it into bitesize cubes and roast it with smoky paprika to go in a salad at lunch. Some of my other favourites:
- Squash Curry
- Warming butternut squash stew with spinach and chickpeas
- Squash soup
- Roasted squash which is stuffed with a mixture of feta, cranberries, pine nuts and quinoa
- Squash Risotto
Head to ‘BBC Good Food’ for a wealth of recipe ideas.
3. Cosy Clothes
It happened last week…I had to scramble around in the back of my wardrobe for my jumpers which I haven’t seen for the last 6 months. Despite the weather getting more unpredictable with each year, (remember that boiling shorts weather we had literally 2 weeks ago?!) we’ve definitely had the turning point now for a wardrobe change. I actually find this fun, as I get bored of the t-shirts and airy dresses which I’ve been rotating all summer – I’M READY for my cosy jumpers! Sweatshirts paired with leggings and some chunky ankle boots…or a skirt with that woolly high neck jumper I completely forgot I owned?! I feel like I’m discovering all my clothes again!
Something to note here: if you find you no longer fit your old clothes and you’re struggling with your body image, I strongly recommend getting some new clothes which fit properly. It can make a huge difference to your confidence when out and about. It’s ok if you don’t fit into last year’s clothes; we are all humans who are constantly changing depending on what’s going on in our lives. Instead of getting upset, view it as a nice opportunity to buy yourself something new. This mindset has worked wonders for me in the past; I’ve been there!
4. Seasonal Goodies
I can’t write about my favourite things in autumn without mentioning some of the delicious goodies which are readily available at this time of the year! Let’s start with BAKING – Bake Off is back! I love baking all year round, but autumn has the best seasonal flavours! I mean, how do you choose between apple crumble, spiced pumpkin, toasted marshmallow, or toffee apple cake flavours?! I could go on!
Also, in England we are already known for being the nation of tea-drinkers (yes, I am an enthusiastic participant in this), but autumn is also the time when you feel like wrapping up in a blanket with a delicious hot drink such as:
- Hot Apple Cider
- Pumpkin Spice Latte – have I already made my pumpkin obsession clear
- Hot Chocolate (with or without alcohol) – I’m a rum hot chocolate fan myself
- Hot Toddy – recently discovered, recently adored
- Mulled Wine – which strangely, I LOVE, even though I don’t like drinking normal wine…
Yes, I am a nutritionist who is recommending these drinks! Because sometimes life is about enjoyment and satisfaction, which is also an important component of health. In late autumn you could even find yourself with an early mince pie on the side!
5. Time for Reflection
The summer season is over, the kids are back at school. Sometimes I feel like autumn can be a ‘fresh start’ following a busy summer. It’s a nice chance to have a breather and reflect how things are going before the Christmas party season comes around. I always like to sit and evaluate at this time of year and ask myself:
- How is work going?
- Am I happy with everything in my life at the moment?
- Is there anything I really want to make sure I fit into my diary before Christmas?
- Are there any friends I haven’t seen for a while that I’d love to catch up with?
- Are there any hobbies I want to start anew or pick back up again?
- How am I physically? Am I tired? Do I need a break?
It may sound silly, but sometimes we can be so busy ‘doing’ our lives, that we never stop to wonder if we are (excuse the phrase) ‘living our best life.’ For example, are there any small changes you can make to feel happier and have an overall better quality of life? After all, health isn’t just about the physical body. It’s about feeling satisfied in all aspects of our lives, whether that’s at work, our social circles, or at home (head to my article on self-care to read about this in more detail). Have you ever given yourself time to reflect on your current state of happiness? Maybe this is the sign you needed to make a cup of tea, grab a pen and paper and have a time out to reflect.
Autumn, you’re the best!
Have I convinced you yet that autumn is the best season?! Time can feel like it’s flying by, but by stopping and appreciating the small things like the colourful trees, the roasted marshmallows, and the smell of pumpkin spice (just me?!), we can allow ourselves to enjoy being in the present. Health is about your life as a whole, not just your diet.
If you feel like you need to make some changes in your life, why not book a discovery call with Hattie? Hattie is passionate about helping you to live your happiest, healthiest life.
