Things to add to your Fall bucket list

Fall is a gorgeous season and one that comes with many family friendly activities to participate in with chilly weather, gorgeous scenic pictures and festive outings. I love the atmosphere of crunching leaves, fresh apples from the tree and of course all things pumpkin spice.

Sometimes life can certainly get in the way of enjoying the beauty of fall, so this year I decided to make a bucket list and i hope you’ll join me in taking a moment to breathe, relax and truly enjoy this beautiful season

#1 Apple Picking

This has to be my favorite fall activity. Growing up in the northeast, I am surrounded by tons of apple orchids that have so much variety to choose from. I always go apple picking with my family and it always ends up being one of my favorite days of the year. It’s something we almost always do even with everyone's different hectic schedules. Eating apples off the tree, coming home and baking all the apple baked goods, and having bags of apples sitting around for days. There’s nothing truly better.

#2 Pumpkin picking

Pumpkin picking is something I’ve missed out on over the past few years, but I will definitely be making some time for it this year. We’ve been going to Stew Leonard’s over the past few years to pick out the best one from the patch to carve at home. My mom carves them and then we always toast the pumpkin seeds for a tasty nutritious snack.

This photo is from the pumpkin patch at Blue Jay Orchards which is where we tend to get our apples from.

#3 Hiking

I love walking and hiking as forms of exercise. They are my two favorite ways to move your body and they always get better when you can do it with a friend. Plus, there's something so nice about being involved in nature. My biggest hurdle in hiking is finding someone to go with me, but I really do hope to make it to the trails more than once this season.

#4 Corn Maze

Confession: I’ve never ever been to a corn maze and would absolutely LOVE to do one some day. I’m definitely hoping I can make this one come into reality this year. I definitely HAVE to experience this at least once in my life.

#5 Enjoy a PSL

Enjoy your fancy coffee and enjoy the beauty of the season.

#5 Bake Some Fall Treats

I’m so excited for the house to smell like apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice and cinnamon roll heaven this year. I have some fun healthier recipes that I love to consistently make, but I also enjoy making my mom’s classic recipes with her. I actually hate pies, but she does make one good apple crumb cake that's my grandfather and my favorite.

Last year, I experimented with a pumpkin oatmeal cinnamon roll recipe to switch things up from my normal muffins, pancakes, and bread standards.

#6 Enjoy a relaxing day of Football.

Huge sports fan here. In fact one of my career inspirations is Erin Andrews. A sideline reporter on the football field, a glamor icon on DWTS, and a badass women entrepreneur. still am so inspired by all her accomplishments and the work she continues to do.

Sunday football is something I haven’t really been able to truly enjoy in years past with coaching ice hockey, working at Starbucks, working at an Ice Arena and being a full-time student. Most of my weekends were filled with work. However, I really want to do some more sports work with the NCAA in graduate school, and my football team is actually 2-0 for the first time in forever so a relaxing day of football should definitely make an appearance soon and I need to get back up to par on my knowledge.

#7 Make a Cozy Healthy Meal.

Fall definitely brings out all the needs for a cozy warmth meal. Some of my favorites range from oatmeal pancakes, quesadilla and delicious pasta meals. One of my favorite meals from last fall was a shrimp burger harvest pasta consisting of a Trader Joe’s Shrimp Burger, whole wheat pasta, spinach, bell peppers, zucchini, and Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing. It had all the fall colors in it for a delicious balanced nourishing meal.

#8 Practice More Self Care

Take out those coloring books, use the subscriptions you pay for, grab some of your skincare favorites and have multiple self care dates to keep yourself feeling good, relaxed and calm during this busy season of life.

#9 Fall Photoshoots.

I suck at taking photos of myself, but the Fall colors are a great opportunity to put on a cozy outfit, grab some makeup, find some friends and take photos in one of your favorite spots around town.

#10 Enjoy Fall Foods

I love pumpkin, but I don’t alway purchase the delicious fall treats like a good apple cider donut, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream etc., So my goal this year is to try and enjoy some more fall treats because life is too short to not enjoy the festivities that come with the season.