Fallspiration

In case you're in denial, snapped this yesterday. 

I don’t know about you but I’m over the grieving of summer gone by. You know what I’m talking about “I wish it lasted a little longer” or just the last everything “last dinner outside” or “last hurrah”. As if one cannot eat outside or have “hurrahs” in September. But if some suffer from over-kvechting, my attitude toward the seasons (and life in general) is more ADD in nature. Maybe it’s the planning gene but during the summer I’m excited about fall, when I’m on a vacation and should be “in the moment” I’m onto the next moment.

No matter what your “seasonal” issues are Labor Day was yesterday, kids (except mine) are back in school, limbs and midriffs will soon be covered (amen) and hey- the shrinks are back.

And because everyone isn’t like me doing their “summer’s over and it’s ok” jig, let me try to take your mind off it. Here’s some fall inspiration or “fallspiration” if you will

 

If you're feeling summer-sentimental this is the antidote

Pumpkin  No-Yo

If you’re in NYC, go to Hu Kitchen and try their No Yo Pumpkin Parfait. With pumpkin, maple, coconut milk and this crunchy goodness on top, you’ll forget summer I promise. And it’s grain free, gluten free and soy free.

Pears 

Carolyn’s just back from a trip to Portland aka pear central. As she said “pears are the new apples”, they’re loaded with fiber (5g/pear) and antioxidants. We’re loving crunchy boscs and using them waldorf-style  in salads and poaching them for a sweet dessert (if Carolyn can do it…)

New Season, new chip

 If the tortilla chip epitomizes summer, fall is about veggie chips. How about Snip Chips made from parsnips? Also loving and constantly selling out of Brussels Bytes (maybe I’m not the only fall fan)

Ancient Grains

It may be time to say goodbye ceviche and hello comfort food, healthy comfort food.

Ancient grains are something you’re going to be hearing more about. I’m loving this cookbook Cook With Ancient Grains. Ancient grains haven’t been changed or mangled (that’s one of the issues with wheat is how much it has changed. This cookbook has interesting uses for quinoa, chia and kaniwa. Even Udi’s the great, gluten free company has a line utilizing these ancient grains. We may have tried their jalapeno crisps on the way to Vermont.

New Tools

You may be excited about new clothes, for me it’s new tools – I have an Excalibur dehydrator I’m ready to put that summer produce in. I’ll be telling you all about my adventures with it but maybe you want to try a spiralizer or a new juicer?

No more portion distortion (or just distortion)

If you’re ready to buckle down you need your “food supplies”. I first learned about these stainless food containers from Food Matters. For lunches I use 1 for the salad or veggie portion of my meal and the other for protein. They’re great for transporting food but I use them at home to eyeball portions. 

What's Your Goal?

Summer sort of goal-less by nature but now it’s time for a challenge, Carolyn and I doing the 30-day push up challenge. Of course Fitbit can help if you’ve logged more hours on a lounge chair or car than on your feet. We’ve also had massive fun with this weighted hula hoop from Canyon hoops, we even had our office doorman hula hooping on side walk (don’t think men are the only people who cat call or honk to show “support).

Metabolism Tea

How about “just what metabolism ordered” Pu-Her tea. It’s from the same plant as green tea but it’s fermented. Crazy things happen when you ferment and some of the bacteria contain ingredients. that can lower LDL (bad) and raise HDL. Drink an hour after a meal. The Chinese have credited it with weight loss, our clients would agree. 

And I don’t want to spill all my Sept secrets. Be sure you’re signed up for our Monthly Morsels newsletter. We’re revealing (love the nutrition drama) our ultimate appetite squasher in Monday’s email.

What’s your Fallspiration or what are you most excited about? Any of our fall favorites you’re going to check out? If you’ve been away welcome back, let me know if there are any topics you want to see covered.

Foodtrainers' Find: Oots

If you’ve ever made lunch for a child or had lunch packed for you when you were a  child chances are a lunch box or lunch bag was involved. My boys had Scooby Do and Spiderman and I recall a Hulk lunchbox too. Lunchboxes keep food cold (or hot), prevent spillage and look pretty cool. Fast forward to adulthood and we forget the utility of the lunch box. I for one have been known to put Tupperware and water bottles right next to my laptop and kindle. Yet containers can (and do) open and can release odors and I don’t know about you but I don’t really enjoy soggy electronics or walking around smelling like pesto.


Enter Oots lunchboxes …I sort of lied in the title. It’s not really a Foodtrainers’ Find. I read about these in another magazine (I think Cooking Light?) but call all product ideas Foodtrainers’ Finds and hey- I found them in the magazine. I purchased the orange lunchbox deluxe. The deluxe comes stocked with adorable containers for lunch and snacks that stack like a puzzle inside.

The top of the box is made to fit a water bottle. I chuckled when I read a note on the oots site indicating these lunchboxes were suited for adults too. To me they are adult lunchboxes maybe suitable for kids too. If you don’t BYOL, you may have to start.

So what’s the worst thing that’s ever spilled in your purse? Do you BYOL? What was your favorite lunchbox as a child?