Happy fall! September 23rd is the first official day of autumn this year, so it’s time to enjoy the changing leaves, crisp sunny days, and pumpkin-flavored everything! I love all of the treats that are associated with fall and with the harvest, and if you do too, then now you can start taking advantage of freshly picked apples and warm, roasted pumpkins!

The Equinox:

Why does fall officially start on the 23rd? It has to do with the length of the days. The beginning of fall coincides with the autumnal equinox, or the day when both the daytime and the nighttime are the exact same length.

Because of this equal balance between day and night, the equinox symbolizes a world in balance. If there’s anything in your life right now that feels out-of-tune, this is the day to reflect and determine how you want to reorganize your life to achieve perfect harmony.

The Harvest:

Fall also represents the harvest, when historically people began preserving food for the upcoming winter months. Enjoy the fall harvest by cooking with your favorite in-season foods!

Make the most of the season by visiting an apple orchard to pick your own fresh apples, perfect for making caramel apples or apple pie. Pumpkin patches will also start opening now, so you can pick out your perfect pumpkin and use it to bake an assortment of fall treats, like pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, or even pumpkin soup!