This week we'll explore farro (a nutritious grain) and beautiful, flavorful dill flowers. We'll also delve into a great trilogy about finding yourself and a goodbye to summer.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: FARRO

Although it's not inherently seasonal, I've been loving farro as a bridge from summer food to fall food. Farro is an ancient whole grain from the wheat family; it's easy to cook, is delightfully chewy, has delicious nutty taste, and soaks up flavor better than other grains without getting soggy. It also keeps well in the fridge for at least several days, so it's a great option for busy fall weeknights. It even has some protein.

You can use this delightful grain in a myriad of ways. I like to cook a big batch and then use it the next few days tossed into a salad, as a component in a bowl meal, or with a simple sauce as a side dish.

Looking for specific ideas? I have numerous farro recipes on my blog since it's such a go-to in our house.

• If you're looking for something light and summery, this Grilled Peach and Farro Salad is for you.
• If you want an easy weeknight option, this Mediterranean Farro Salad can accommodate whatever veggies you have on-hand.
• If you want to try a new and adventurous sauce, you'll swoon over this Roasted Cauliflower and Farro Salad with Lemon Turmeric Sauce.
• If you're ready for fall comfort food, nothing beats this cozy Turmeric Farro "Risotto" on a chilly evening.

Try This Week: DILL FLOWERS

Did you know that you can eat the FLOWERS from dill plants? It's true, and now they're my new favorite ingredient. Dill flowers have a dill-like flavor, although it's milder than the leaves. They're also exceptionally beautiful and delicate, so they're great as a garnish on top of a dish.

Curious about where to get them? I happily snipped these from my parents' garden, but I've also seen them at a farmers market recently. You might have good luck finding them over the next couple weeks, since they bloom as the dill plant is starting to go to seed late in the season.

Live Colorfully

A Book Series to Explore: THE DRAGON HEART LEGACY

If you enjoy fantasy novels, then I have a trilogy for you to check out. I just finished Nora Robert's "The Choice", which is the third and final book in The Dragon Heart Legacy Series. I've really loved these! Make sure to read them in order: first "The Awakening", then "The Becoming", and then "The Choice". If you're not into fantasy, then these might not for you; however, Nora Roberts writes a lot of crime/thriller type books too. And, just in case you want to dip a toe into fantasy, this series would actually be a great place to start.

This series is a story about finding yourself. It follows the tale of a young woman in Philadelphia who has always been taught that she's average. But when she decides to adopt "courage" as her motto, she spends a summer in Ireland discovering herself, her roots, her family history, and many things about her that are far from average. Overall, it's a fun read that manages to be both entertaining and thoughtful.

Like many fantasy series, this one explores light versus dark, good versus evil. But unlike most other fantasy books, this one really celebrates the light. Nora Roberts gives life to the good things (family, friends, community, love, belonging) in order to show why we fight for them. These are definitely "feel good" books.

As always, you can browse my list of favorite books if you're looking for more ideas.

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Self-Care Pick: GOODBYE TO SUMMER

Is anyone else struggling with saying goodbye to summer? Personally speaking, I have a hard time mentally as the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler. I know that some of you are excited for back-to-school energy and the onset of "cozy season", and I admire you for that attitude. But in my brain, fall makes me feel like a tiger getting stuffed back inside a cage after months of being free in the jungle.

Throughout the fall, I'll be sharing some specific tips for taking care of yourself during this time of year, coping with less daylight, and staying healthy during cold and flu season, so stay tuned for those pieces over the coming weeks. But for now, I just want to point out that it's okay to have times when you know you're more vulnerable and you choose to be gentler with yourself.

If this is you, then maybe fall is a time to prioritize your health more proactively, carve out some additional time for self-care, start a new routine that makes you feel good, get more sleep, and in general be kinder to yourself. One simple place to start might be making sure you have a nourishing, well-balanced breakfast even on busy mornings; this green electrolyte + protein smoothie is my daily must-have and I think you'll love it.

What are YOU doing this fall to prioritize your well-being? Please let me know (and send me good vibes this week as I return to full-time work in my research lab at my university... I'm going "back to school" too!).

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!