Fall Favorites

You know it’s Fall when every other social media post is hailing the almighty Pumpkin Spice!  With Fall come cozy clothes, warm mugs of tea and a beautiful explosion of color in the local landscape, some of my favorite things!

Fall feels like new beginnings…. even though Mother Nature didn’t design it that way with leaves falling from the trees and flowers dying.  The changing color in the leaves come alive in brilliant hues of red, yellow and orange before slowing fading away, leaving us with a promise of beautiful things to come in the new year.

Fall Scents

There is something about Fall that brings our scences alive, from crisp autumn mornings and the crackle of evening bon fires to the homey spices of apple pies and freshly made soups.  Fall is definitely in the air!

Speaking of yummy scents, Pumpkin Spice meet your match… Copper leaves 🍁 is my new favorite fall scent! Available in a casual tin or the gorgeous white + gold ceramic apple (or pumpkin!).  This yummy candle contains notes of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon and coconut to bring you to fall.  It’s the candle you need to truly embrace fall.  Available at the Greenhouse.

Soup’s On

Soup, soup, soup, soup!  Who doesn’t love a hot bowl of made from scratch soup on a chilly Fall day?  Well, I certainly do!  We are big fans of homemade soup on my house.  My husband makes good use of our crock pot with a variety of different soups, from split pea to chicken noodle.

My all time favorite soup is Butternut Squash soup, which is definitely more prevalent during Fall.  The following is a list of a few local restaurants that have a tasty selection of soups:

• Camber, in Downtown Bellingham, has a decadent Butternut Squash soup listed in their online sample menu.
• Brandywine Kitchen, a local “seed to plate” restaurant has been known to have their own yummy version of Butternut Squash soup in their line-up of freshly made soups.
• The Colophon Cafe, in Bellingham,  also has a great selection of tasty soups, along with a soup of the day that will surely warm you up and fill your belly!

 

Tea Time

I relish a steaming cup of herbal tea during Fall evenings.  Celestial Seasonings’ Bengal Spice is my all-time favorite.  The combination of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves, invokes the flavors of a buttery cinnamon pastery….no joke, I can actually taste the butter and cinnamon!

For you Chai Tea lovers, Bengal Spice is the perfect caffeine free option.  Try it with milk and sugar for a true chai experience!

In addition to being tasty and soothing, many varieties of herbal tea provide health benefits.  Here is a list of 10 healthy herbal teas you’ll want to try.

1. Chamomile tea is most commonly known for its calming effects and is frequently used as a sleep aid.  Chamomile is also well-known for its calming properties, and preliminary evidence supports this. It may also help relieve premenstrual symptoms and high blood lipid, blood sugar and insulin levels.
2. Peppermint tea is one of the most commonly used herbal teas in the world.  While it’s most popularly used to support digestive tract health, it also has antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial and antiviral properties
3. Ginger tea is a spicy and flavorful drink that packs a punch of healthy, disease-fighting antioxidants.  Ginger tea is best known as a remedy for nausea, and studies have repeatedly found it to be effective for this use. However, several studies have also found that ginger can help relieve period pain, and it may offer benefits for people with diabetes.
4. Hibiscus tea is made from the colorful flowers of the hibiscus plant. It has a pink-red color and refreshing, tart flavor. It can be enjoyed hot or iced.  Hibiscus tea may help lower high blood pressure and fight oxidative stress. However, it shouldn’t be taken with a certain diuretic medication or at the same time as aspirin.
5. Echinacea tea is an extremely popular remedy that’s said to prevent and shorten the common cold.  Evidence has shown that Echinacea may help boost the immune system, which could help the body fight off viruses or infections.
6. Rooibos is an herbal tea that comes from South Africa. It is made from the leaves of the rooibos or red bush plant.  Rooibos tea has just recently begun to be studied by scientists. Preliminary evidence suggests that rooibos tea may help improve bone health and reduce heart disease risk, but more studies are needed.
7. Sage tea is well-known for its medicinal properties, and scientific research has begun to support several of its health benefits, especially for brain health.  Several studies have found that sage improves cognitive function and memory. It may also benefit colon and heart health.
8. Lemon balm tea has a light, lemony flavor and seems to have health-promoting properties.  Preliminary studies have found that lemon balm tea may improve antioxidant levels, heart and skin health and even aid in relieving anxiety.
9. Rose hip tea is made from the fruit of the rose plant.  It is high in vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds. These plant compounds, in addition to certain fats found in rose hips, result in anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Passion-flower tea is used to relieve anxiety and improve sleep, and studies have begun to support these uses.  (healthline.com)

 

Cozy Up

Fall weather in the PNW can be anywhere from warm and sunny to chilly and wet.  While I’ll take all the warm days that Mother Nature will generously behold upon us, I have to admit that I am rather fond of those crisp fall days.  Those are the days when the chill starts setting in and “sweater weather” has officially arrived!

Nothing beats the luxurious decadence of a soft cashmere sweater.  I love adding to my cashmere collection each year….yes, I said, “cashmere collection”.  I am a collector of many things, from bowls to glassybabies, and cashmere sweaters is among the treasures that I enjoy collecting!

Quinn & Foster, a local clothing boutique in Downtown Bellingham, has a beautiful selection of cashmere sweaters.  From fun and whimsical to classic and sophisticated, you will find something that will keep you warm and cozy during the chilly Fall days!

Featured Photo by Lynn Wilson.