Honeydew, I'm fallin' for you
— september
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, soaking up all that the sunny season brings, and settling in to enjoy this transition time where we will experience the warmer days and chillier days intermingling. Despite the very warm, sunny weather we see this week in Oregon (not complaining), this month hosts the Autumn Equinox. Summer plans start to wind down, football is back on, people are anticipating heading to pumpkin patches and PSLs, chillier nights come our way, apple picking and pie baking, the music gets moodier, and we all look forward to the leaves changing. With each new season, there is so much to look forward to. And with that, welcome to the first fall newsletter of the year.
Foraging Fall
Ways to use herbs + spices this fall:
— throw all of the savory herbs into soups + stews
— dill in tzatziki
— still soaking up this summer carbonara while we have the herbs + produce for it
— shishito pepper salad w/ sizzled mint + sesame
— ginger in a cozy curry
EAT
September mood board
— shareable shakshuka
— fish tacos with fresh herbs, corn, peppers, + tomatoes
— salads bursting at the seams with so much mouthwatering produce
— munching on a charcuterie board while watching football with friends
— first bowl of chili
— apple crumble
— potential August intentions: Farmer’s market dates. Making a fall drink. Looking up more to watch the leaves change color. Putting back on that favorite pair of sweats. Apple picking. Eating lunch outside. Trying a new fruit or vegetable.
What I’m cooking
Breakfast:
Tahini Chai Breakfast Cookies - these are calling my name
Pumpkin and Oat Breakfast Bars
Everything Bacon and Apple Breakfast Biscuits
Dinner:
Tomato Soup (df)
Fall Charcuterie Board (for hosting, warmer nights, or don’t-bother-me-to-cook nights)
Fall Pizzas (4 Ways)
Drinks:
Pear Vanilla Rosemary Cocktail
Sparkling Fig & Honey Cocktail
Dessert:
Apple Spice Loaf (df, can be made vegan)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet (v)
Additional ideas:
I’m still chippin’ away at crafting the fall menu, here’s some more ideas to tie you over in the meantime.
For Each Season’s ‘Fall Recipes’ Pinterest Board
LISTEN
September is such a transition month; to appease both audiences (team summer and team fall), here are links to both sides of the camp.
Summer Playlist:
— for those holding onto summer vibes; or just for the sunnier days this month
— for those ready for crunchy leaves, moody vibes, all things pumpkin + apple
WATCH
Replacing the READ section for this month. Styling tips for those who don’t know how to dress for the transition months (it’s me).
Fall Essentials (Women)
— I cannot gate keep Krista. I shout my love (+ laughter) for her from the rooftops.
Styling Denim for Fall (Men)
— I like this guys’ style a lot and he’s currently doing a fall series for dudes.
SLEEP
[Not so fun but more mind-blowing] Fact: did you know if you pull an all nighter, research shows it takes you two weeks to recover? the myth of “getting hours back” is in fact, a myth; this means what you lost one night, you can’t make up the next. This is why the recovery period from a very poor night’s sleep is so lengthy. Sleep is irreplaceable for the body’s restoration, hormone health, decision making, healing, cognition, muscle recovery, reflexes, metabolic health, and more! As we start to get darker earlier in the evening, maybe this is the nudge we all need to correct some poor sleeping habits that developed over the summer season.
REFLECT
“Surround yourself with people who push you to grow. Stagnant waters breed mosquitoes.”
— Research states that you are the average of your 5 closest friends. This is such a profound statement and great way to grasp who is leaving a mark on us, who we are, and who we want to become.
“Engagement. Marriage. Pregnancy. New baby. All wonderful things to celebrate. But they are not the only things. Don’t forget to also celebrate your friend who went back to school. Started her own business. Left a dead-end job. Left a toxic relationship. Adopted a rescue dog. Ran a marathon. Healed from trauma. Bought her own home. Making a better life for herself.”
— Firstly, I don’t think this concept is exclusive to women. Secondly, I love this quote. Ever since writing our vows, my husband and I have talked about romanticizing everyday life (even on the Tuesdays). Romanticizing life nails home the findings that gratitude is one of the biggest indicators of happiness. I think being grateful is intertwined with celebrating every win, even if it’s not what society tells you to celebrate. Celebrate with your people!
“Autumn exists to remind us that things must end to begin again.”
— What a beautiful way to end this section and give you something to chew on while you make all the delicious fall recipes coming our way.
COMING SOON
I have been in the weeds training for a new job so the ‘coming soon’ list has been kept somewhat stagnant. I promise this fall there’s more content coming for ya! I am currently trying to stay afloat, ergo the somewhat tardy September newsletter.
— hydration guide coming soon to Substack [for paid subscribers]. An early edition was accidentally sent out [oops, that was me] and unfortunately still needed revising, so that has been taken down for the time being.
— new menu for fall; this is one of my favorite things to do. I hope it helps you guys get the most out of each season, introduces you to new produce to try, and gets you excited about cooking.
— London city guide coming in September or October to Substack [for paid subscribers]
Enough from me!
Anxiously awaiting the dichotomy of days we have ahead in the late summer-early fall months. I want to have my cake + eat it too (only if it’s carrot cake, iykyk).
Making the most of each season,
Mads