Monthly Archives: September 2015

Thoughts on new beginnings…

I don’t think I am alone in feeling like September is a time for new beginnings.  I’m certain for me, at least, that is because as a kid, going back to school in September after the summer break always provided me with the opportunity to be, in my mind, a new, improved person.  I would dream of being a better, smarter student, achieving better grades, and above all, being a more popular, cool girl!  (How sad is that?!?  I never did achieve what my immature brain conceived as popular.)

To this day, I feel like fall is the time to restructure my life a bit after the less-structured, more easy-going summer.

  • Time to change into fall clothing – sweaters, sweatshirts, long pants replacing short-sleeved tees, sundresses, capris and sandals.
  • Time to change meal menus – heartier soups, roasts, baked chicken dishes replacing burgers on the grill and summer salads.  Couple this with making an attempt at getting back to eating more healthily (that may be a made-up word)…less trips to the Dairy Queen in the evening.  (Notice, I said less trips, not no trips!)
  • Time to pack away summer home/garden décor and bring out the fall stuff – mums replacing snap dragons in vases and in the garden, candles added to brighten the waning daylight hours.
Light to brighten shorter days.
Light to brighten shorter days.
  • Time to rev up the exercise program.  This is really foremost in my mind today.  My 1/2 hour stints three times a week at the community center using the stationary bike or elliptical machine and track are a paltry attempt at staying in shape.  Just this morning I read I should be exercising 4 hours/week to help prevent getting breast cancer.  (If I read it on the internet, it must be true!) A bout with plantar fasciitis this summer kept me from my previously customary walks through the neighborhood to supplement my indoor exercise activity.  I really prefer the outdoor exercise, but our current health insurance rewards us by paying for our community center membership if we use it at least 12/times/month…thus, the approximate 3 times/week I go there.
Need to use these more often!
Need to use these more often!

 So my resolve today is to:

  •  get back to exercising more.  The foot problems have healed so I intend to get outdoors frequently and enjoy walks in the wonderful fall weather.  (Hoping for wonderful fall weather…is into December asking for too much?)
  • prepare and eat healthy meals and snacks.
  • bring out the fall/winter clothing once the days turn cool, tossing, donating, or consigning anything I know I won’t wear…part of my decluttering process noted in a previous post.
  • refresh the house and garden with fall decorations.  We really are fortunate here in MN to experience four distinct seasons.  We need only display our seasonal décor for about 3 months at a time – not enough time to tire of anything.

I suppose I could add I will do a thorough house cleaning as part of my new beginnings regime; but, I’m thinking that probably won’t happen.  It’s a nice thought though.

Here is a recipe I just found on Pinterest this week while searching for new ways to use the apples that fall into my yard from my neighbor’s tree.  It seems like a healthy choice for a breakfast or snack item.  Easy and quick to make too…gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free – what more could you ask for?

Cinnamon Apple Baked Oatmeal Cups

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; or, mix up and wait until morning to bake

2 cups old fashioned oats                                                                                                                                     1 tsp baking powder                                                                                                                                           1/8 tsp salt                                                                                                                                                                1/2 tsp cinnamon                                                                                                                                                     1 cup milk (can use unsweetened coconut milk to make it dairy-free)                                            1 egg                                                                                                                                                                          1/2 cup mashed banana (about 1 1/2 medium bananas)                                                                       1 large apple, peeled, cored and diced

Combine the dry ingredients; add the milk, egg and mashed banana and mix until combined.  Stir in the apple.

Grease a muffin tin and fill each cup w/the oatmeal mixture to just about the top.  Makes 12 oatmeal cups.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Store in the fridge or freeze.

Enjoy!

I'm not a food stylist, but you get the idea.
I’m not a food stylist, but you get the idea.

I’d love to hear what some of your “new-beginning” ideas are if you agree this is a good time for them.  Feel free to comment below.

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