I'm not one who loves a lot of stuff, and I'm constantly trying to get rid of things rather than amass them. That said, when I find something I love, I want to share. Today I'm spreading the word about some of the products that I love this fall.  Fun Notebooks: I keep a recipe journal. I leave dinner instructions for my boyfriend, track our food budget, and write out shopping lists and recipe ideas in it. I found this one at Target for $2.99. I love the motivational message.  Good (Cheap) Pens: I do a lot of writing, and these pens make it more fun. I love making lists (and writing in my recipe journal), and a good pen makes writing more enjoyable. Who doesn't need a bit of color in life?  Amaya dresses from Prana I love dresses. You feel put together but you only needed to pick out one item of clothing! I wear these dresses year-round, though with a sweater on top in fall plus tights and boots underneath in winter. I've bought one per season for the last year and a half, and they're worth every penny. I feel dressed up but I can still move freely, which is so important to me. I dislike restrictive clothing. This is literally the only piece of clothing I bought for fall. (I'm on a no-shopping "diet" through the end of the year.)  Urban Gym Tights from Moving Comfort Confession: I got these leggings for free. However, I have been wearing them at least weekly for the last two months. I love them--they're super long, but they look cute when they're bunched up at the ankles--kind of like ruching--or pulled over the heels. The waistband is high and doesn't bind. I usually only wear black yoga pants, but these are awesome. I have them in blue, too. .jpg) Benriner Cook Helper Slicer (Spiralizer) My grandma gave me this spiralizer a couple of years ago, and I use it in waves. Lately, I can't get enough of salads made with finely shaved veggies. I shredded potatoes for a casserole. I shaved beets and radishes for a salad. I turned zucchini and squash into pasta. It's super easy to use, too!  Bob's Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour I love seeking out new-to-me nutritious flours. Lately I've been digging garbanzo bean (chickpea) flour, which I found at my local supermarket. I love socca, a traditional Mediterranean flatbread, and I've been making my own version with loads of rosemary, black pepper, and onions. The secret is to use a cast-iron skillet! Chickpea flour is higher in protein than wheat flour, and it's gluten free if that's something you're avoiding. I love the creamy texture, but beware: cook it thoroughly. I undercooked some socca and ended up with a bloated belly. (And the batter will taste terrible so don’t try it! It's like eating raw beans!)  ALBA Botanica ACNEdote Deep Pore Wash I have a bit of adult-onset acne. (Thanks, hormones!) I really like this face wash from Alba Botanica. It's fairly natural, but it's tough on acne without drying out my skin. It doesn't discolor my bed linens, which can be an issue with some acne products.  Moonrise Kingdom I've been eagerly awaiting the DVD release of this film since watching it in theaters over the summer, so I preordered it as a gift for my boyfriend's birthday. This film left me feeling warm and fuzzy all over, perfect for a chilly fall night cuddled up with hot apple cider or tea.  Delta Rae: Carry the Fire Speaking of cool fall nights, I've been making it a habit to walk a few nights a week in my new neighborhood in the mountains of North Carolina. This band started in Durham, N.C., and I heard them on NPR a few weeks back. Their debut album makes the perfect soundtrack for my walks, when I'm not just listening to the sounds of nature. Vinegar + baking soda I'm a really green person, and we're also on a budget after a big move to North Carolina. I've long used baking soda and vinegar around the house, but now I'm starting to use it as a beauty aid, too. I use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar as a rinse after I shampoo, and I use baking soda as an exfoliant. It's gentle, but it really does a great job of stripping off the dead skin cells. Apple cider On the way home from dropping off our moving truck, we discovered a stretch of hghway dubbed Apple Valley. Aptly named, as we counted upwards of a dozen apple orchards. We bought a bag of North Carolina apples along with a jug of apple cider. At 143 calories for 8 ounces, I drink it in small portions, but it sure is a tasty fall treat! I've even reduced it by half and used it as a sauce for baked tofu. (I'm sure it would be a great pairing with meat, too!) What do you love this fall? Any must-have items? |
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