This week we'll explore pumpkin recipes and healthier homemade Halloween treats. We'll also delve into the beauty (and convenience) of early-evening fall sunsets and a book that explores living a lie.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight

Of course we have to celebrate pumpkin this week since Halloween is only a few days away! In addition to the holiday, though, there are many reasons to enjoy pumpkin. It's incredibly rich in Vitamin A and beta carotene, has good fiber and antioxidants, and even has a few grams of protein per serving. Additionally, it's a versatile fruit that you can use in a myriad of ways.

Did you know that pumpkin is awesome in savory recipes? It's dynamite in this Savory Pumpkin Hummus, which works great as an appetizer all fall long; there's even an option in the recipe to make the hummus spicy. Pumpkin also works nicely as a creamy, flavorful base for chili (see this Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili, which uses pumpkin in place of tomato paste). It can even play a starring role in cozy grain dishes like this Golden Farro.

If sweet pumpkin recipes are more your speed, how about trying something more exciting than classic pumpkin bread? This Pumpkin Pie Granola is easy, delightfully crunchy, and super flavorful, plus the whole house smells amazing while it bakes. Since pumpkin replaces much of the usual sugar and oil in this granola, it's a much more nourishing option than what you can buy at the store.

What I'm Loving Right Now

Want to embrace your inner monster for Halloween without eating something truly scary? This year, how about ditching the store-bought candy and making something delicious (and a bit more nutritious) at home.

These Healthy Monster Cookies are perfect for Halloween since you can dress them up however you like. They're vegan, entirely fruit-sweetened (thanks to dates), and are surprisingly high in protein (thanks to peanut butter and flax). They're basically made from the same ingredients as a homemade protein bar, but get baked into delightfully chewy cookies. They're easy to make too, and they look especially festive if you mix in a few brown and orange dark-chocolate candies

If you're more of a candy bar person than a cookie person, then you're going to love these Whole Food Vegan Snickers Brownies. You'll never believe they're made from nourishing ingredients like dates, peanut butter, and dark chocolate. They take more time than the monster cookies since they have a few layers, but they're a stand-out dessert for a Halloween party (and much better for you than buying Snickers bars).

Live Colorfully

In the Natural World

If you're feeling down about the shorter days this time of year, there's one big silver lining that comes with having the sun disappear earlier: it's easier to see the sunset! While I adore the long days of summer, the reality is that the sunset is so late (particularly here in northern Vermont) that it can sometimes be tricky to catch. Fall can be the perfect time to watch a sunset, especially if you get a warm day, since you can go somewhere special to see it without having to stay out late.

We had an incredibly warm and sunny week, which felt like an exceptional gift for late October. On Monday evening, my husband and I hiked up to the highest point in a land preserve near our house, had a picnic, and watched the sun set. Unlike the height of summer when the sun doesn't go down until close to 9:00, this beautiful evening featured a very early (and convenient!) 5:45 sunset. We had plenty of time to enjoy it thoroughly, hike back down, and still get to bed early.

This week, I challenge you to pick a fun activity that you can't do during the summer and go all-out with it. Maybe it's an (early!) sunset picnic, a trip to your local apple orchard, or an autumn potluck party with a seasonal theme like apples or squash. Fall is also a great time for an outdoor fire (refer back to this newsletter issue for inspiration).

What I'm Reading

What if your whole life was built around a lie that you told decades ago? Ann Patchett's The Patron Saint of Liars delves into this question through the story of a woman who ends up at a home for unwed mothers in the 1960's. It explores family relationships, women's rights, and the tales we tell ourselves (and others) in order to conform to societal expectations.

While this isn't a light read, it's not terribly heavy either. It has a good plot line, really interesting characters, and delves into complex issues. This is actually my second read through it; I originally read it years ago and wanted to revisit it. Ann Patchett has written quite a few other great books too; I especially love Bel Canto.

As the days get shorter, it's definitely time to get yourself a good book! Remember that you can always browse my list of favorite books if you need some inspiration.

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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!