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.
- 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!
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’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.
