The Heart of Autumn

Me in an Apple Tree, ironically 4 years ago yesterday in Windham, NH.

 Russell Orchards in Essex, Massachusetts

Fall evokes a feeling in me I cannot begin to describe. Autumn brings about so many memories of warmth and self-comfort. In my opinion, the definition of Fall should be “the time of year that calms our heart, warms our soul and spices up our life.” As a new mom, I can’t wait to share this feeling with my daughter. Carving pumpkins, apple picking, drinking cider, and visiting the farm as a family makes it all the better. Russell Orchards in Essex, MA is my favorite apple orchard. I have some pretty fond memories there. Eating cider donuts, sampling apple cider and visiting the petting zoo are some of my favorites. In close second would have to be Smolack Farms. I worked there one October making cider donuts for field trips that came the next day. I got to be there by myself after hours and fry off hundreds of cinnamon sugar coated pillows of heaven. There may have been a few that fell off the belt, if you know what I mean!

Fall harvest is by far my favorite of the year. In early September you have the last of the corn and tomatoes from summer. Late September starts apple season and October brings squash and pumpkins for carving and eating. Apples are a great source of fiber for the body. Having an apple as a snack makes you feel full for not a lot of calories. Also, one medium apple is considered one serving of fruit, which sets you up for a good day of fruit intake. Pumpkins and other orange squash such as butternut, acorn and hubbard contain the antioxidant beta carotene which translates as vitamin A in the body. They also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, also antioxidants that contribute to retinal health. Iron, zinc and fiber are also worth mentioning. So use apples and winter squash in whatever you can this season! (Don’t worry I will be posting recipes throughout the season.)

Don’t forget about the fairs! Fairs make me think of middle school. We went every year to either the Topsfield or Deerfield Fair in Massachusetts and we always ate way too much food and bought really dumb things. But that was the fun of it, the fun of being a kid, it doesn’t matter! As an adult you learn to control yourself (but a little indulgence won’t hurt.)

I know this wasn’t a typical post of mine but I had to let you know my love for Autumn before I could go about the rest of the season testing recipes and such. Just know that all my heart and soul goes into my fall recipes and I hope to enlist E to help me this year since we are in Florida and don’t get to do some of my favorite Fall activities. There is absolutely nothing like Fall in New England. I miss it! How do you spend your fall? What’s your favorite fall time recipe?

For all you New Englanders, put a on a sweater, grab a cup of cider and pick an apple for me, won’t ya?

Happy Autumn Everyone!