Fall is fast upon us in New England with its cool and crisp air, leaves starting to show their new tawny hues, shorter days and chilly nights, farm stands packed with pumpkins and apples, warm sweaters, wool blankets and cozy fireside chats. During this transition from summer to fall my thoughts always turn to pots of soup bubbling on the stovetop. Soups are nurturing to the soul, warm you up on a cold day, and are packed with goodness.
I like to experiment with different flavors and textures in my soups and if you make a big pot of soup it can feed the family for days. I love all kinds – big pots of chili, winter squash soups, beans and rice infused soups, asian inspired soups, and especially good old fashioned tomato soup with a grilled cheese on the side. I’ve shared some of my favorites here with links to recipes and the makers. Enjoy!
You may find that after the slow, lazy days of summer it’s hard to get back into the fall groove of schedules, routines, meal planning, earlier bedtimes, homework and more. With all of the transition, stress can sometimes creep in and you may feel like there is no extra time, especially for a fun, healthy meal around the dinner table.
I have a few tips here to help you move past stress and allow space for you and your loved ones.
First, it really helps to write everything down on your calendar or planner for weekly events, practices, appointments, meals and more. My friend Mia created a gorgeous planner called FLOW planner and I love it. (You should check it out!) The Flow planner has sections for you to map out your daily events, work, weekly meals as well as special quiet time for you and fun times with the family.
With all the busyness it’s really important that you take care of yourself. If you do not care for yourself, you cannot care for others or be fully present and live the life of your dreams. I often speak of mindfulness – I’m constantly striving to be more mindful in each moment myself. Remember to pause and respond with intention when you are in a given moment – often our minds react to something in the present which raises our stress levels. If you pause and take a deep breath and picture something you love, it will raise your vibration and push the stress away.
To help you get back into your routine and ward off stress you should schedule time for yourself each week to unplug, exercise, drink loads of water, meditate and make good choices around snack time. And of course, connect with loved ones as much as you can.
Sending you love and light during this fall transition.
Carrie Allen created this site as a way for people to share stories about things they love. She loves chasing quiet, authentic moments and sharing them with her family and friends. Read more about her inspiration here.
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