This week we'll explore ways to use apple cider and a special Rosemary Vanilla Matcha Latte recipe. We'll also delve into the finite nature of our own existence and some ideas about healthier comfort food.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: APPLE CIDER

This week, let’s celebrate one of fall’s greatest gifts: apple cider. If you have an apple orchard near you, make sure you get your hands on some fresh-pressed cider before the season is over.

Although apple cider is delicious on its own or mulled with cozy spices, it’s also a great ingredient in the kitchen. Did you know that, if you simmer cider on the stovetop until it has reduced significantly, it makes a flavorful addition to sauces, dressings, and even baking? This Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Dressing, which is perfect for Thanksgiving, has a unique dressing made from an apple cider reduction.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, my favorite Wild Rice, Macadamia, and Fall Fruit Stuffing features apple cider too. You’ll caramelize onions (yum!), then add cider and cook it down before stirring in chewy wild rice, crunchy macadamias, and succulent seasonal fruit.

If you’re a fan of cocktails/mocktails, this Chaider Rum Punch is a fall superstar. It unites everyone’s two favorite fall beverages (chai and apple cider, hence the term “chaider”) for a celebration-worthy sip. There are also low-alcohol and mocktail modifications in the post, so this is a drink that everyone can enjoy.

Special Recipe: ROSEMARY VANILLA MATCHA LATTE

This week, I'm excited to bring you a special matcha latte recipe. This seasonal combination pairs woodsy rosemary with fragrant vanilla and sweet maple syrup. It's the perfect matcha for November!

My biggest tip for making this cozy latte: make sure you have really good matcha. A high-quality matcha is delicate, bright green, subtly floral, and fresh, whereas lower-quality matcha can be bitter, assertively grassy, and off-putting. My go-to is Matcha Nude (use the code ROGUE to get 15% off).

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For the Rosemary Vanilla Infused Maple Syrup:

(makes 6-12 servings)

• ¼ c water
• ¼ c real maple syrup
• 1 large sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1 whole, fresh vanilla bean

For the Rosemary Vanilla Matcha Latte:

(makes one serving)

• 1 c unsweetened milk of choice (vegan if desired)
• 1-2 tsp rosemary vanilla infused maple syrup
• ½ tsp matcha​
• Rosemary sprig for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. To make the rosemary vanilla infused maple syrup, combine the water, maple syrup, rosemary, and vanilla bean in a small pot. Bring to a low boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the mixture has reduced by half, or to about the thickness that the maple syrup was originally.
2. Strain the infused maple syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. Save both the rosemary and the vanilla bean to use in baking (hint: try adding finely chopped rosemary and the seeds of the vanilla bean to your favorite shortbread or sugar cookie recipe).
3. Pour the infused maple syrup into a jar or container with a tight lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
4. To make the matcha latte, heat the milk in a saucepan or in the microwave and stir in 1-2 tsp rosemary vanilla infused maple syrup.
5. Make the matcha shot by whisking the matcha with a splash of water.
6. Pour the rosemary vanilla maple milk into a mug, top with the matcha shot, and enjoy.

Live Colorfully

A Podcast to Explore: LIVING FOR 4,000 WEEKS

I recently re-listened to an old podcast episode that I really enjoyed last year. It blew my mind with a single number. Did you know that the average modern human lives for only about 4,000 weeks?

It's true. If we do a simple calculation, most of us don't quite make it to 80 and there are 52 weeks a year. That's not many weeks. This was the topic of discussion on an episode of the Zen Habits podcast (October 30, 2024; episode 53). This episode was all about recognizing and embracing the fact that we are finite.

This episode certainly wasn't depressing, though. Rather, the discussion focused around how we can use this understanding to live a richer existence. By accepting and embracing the finite nature of our lives, we can spend our time in a more intentional and more precious way.

This message really spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you all. I've thought a lot about the finite nature of my own existence, but 4,000 weeks? It's not very many. Next time you're having a rough week and catch yourself thinking that you just want it to be over, maybe you'll remember this number and approach that hard week differently.

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Self-Care Pick: COMFORT FOOD RE-IMAGINED

Do the cooler temperatures and shorter days have you craving comfort food? If you're in need of some cozy finger food but still want a nourishing and veggie-filled meal, then I have a solution for you: cauliflower! It's loaded with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and several B vitamins, plus it's hydrating since it's about 90% water. Cauliflower is also a fabulous vehicle for soaking up your favorite sauce.

Believe it or not, I actually have a whole series on my blog called "Cauliflower is Bar Food", in which I take classic bar fare and reinvent it with cauliflower. In particular, this Cauliflower Poutine is our favorite date night snack on a chilly weekend evening.

What is poutine? If you're not from Canada, Vermont, or the upper Midwest, you might not be familiar with this dish. It's a classic late-night snack in Quebec that consists of french fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds. My veggie-filled version swaps the heavy fried potatoes for cauliflower and the traditional gravy for a nutrient-dense, vegan squash "gravy".

This season, what if you ditched the heavy comfort food classics in favor of an equally comforting (but much more nourishing!) cauliflower dish? In addition to Cauliflower Poutine, you might also want to check out Margarita Cauliflower, Maple Salt and Vinegar Cauliflower, and Furikake Cauliflower. There's no reason why comfort food has to be bad for you!

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!