It's impossible not to notice the crackle of leaves underfoot, the sight of gourds galore, and the enticing scent of an apple pie baking somewhere — all signs that Fall is in the air. And it's a season that begs to be experienced with all the senses. So what are you waiting for?
The crisp air and a picturesque setting make this the perfect time of year to take your cardio routine outdoors. Walk, run, bike, and hike, all while taking in the colorful beauty of the season. During your cooldown (or in your downtime), stop to collect some natural elements that you can easily incorporate into your home decor. Aim to create interesting arrangements with branches in a vase or along the mantel. Make a simple yet elegant centerpiece by filling a clear glass container with acorns. Or make a pinecone wreath for your front door.
Store-bought candles, sprays, and room diffusers in scents like apple, vanilla, and spice are the easiest way to fill your home with Fall fragrance. But if you're feeling crafty, there are lots of fun (and still simple!) DIY options that double as decor, too! Wrap unscented candles in cinnamon sticks tied with rustic string for a centerpiece that smells as good as it looks. For an old-world touch, make your own decorative pomanders by sticking whole cloves into an orange. Create patterns with the clove design for a natural spicy scent that's also a great conversation piece.
Walt Whitman, William Shakespeare, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning are just some of the literary greats who have written about the wonder of Fall. Assemble a collection of your favorites and make your next book club meeting a poetry reading, or plan a romantic evening with your sweetie and take turns sharing passages by the fire.
From your wardrobe to your living space, Fall is all about layers and textures — think wooly, woven, and velvety. Add a plush fur throw or an eye-catching tartan blanket over a chair or ottoman. Replace the toss pillows on your couch, or buy some zip-on covers. If you have bare floors, consider throwing down some smaller area rugs that feel warm and inviting underfoot. And since regulating indoor temperature this time of year can be tricky, be sure to have your favorite fleecy jacket, cozy sweater, and fuzzy slippers handy so you can always find a bit of snuggly comfort.
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5Taste It: Pumpkin Bars
Enjoy the classic Fall flavors like pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger with this recipe from Weight Watchers. Bake up a batch of pumpkin bars and savor the flavor whenever you're in the mood for something sweet.
Pumpkin Bars
From Weight Watchers
Notes
Enjoy a taste of Fall with these pumpkin cheesecake bars. Crumbled ginger snaps make a wonderfully tasty crust.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
20 gingersnaps
2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/4 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk, divided
6 ounces low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup aerosol whipped cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In a food processor, combine gingersnaps, butter, and 2 tablespoons milk; process until completely blended. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish and press down crust with fingers to form a crust. Bake crust for 10 minutes; remove from oven, and let crust cool for 20 minutes. Reduce oven to 325°F.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, combine remaining 2 tablespoons milk, cream cheese, and egg until well blended. Add vanilla extract, cinnamon, brown sugar, and pumpkin; blend until smooth. Spoon pumpkin mixture over crust and smooth into an even layer; bake until center sets and a knife inserted in center of bars comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool. When cool, cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut into 12 bars and serve each with a tablespoon dollop of whipped cream.
