The first hint of Autumn prompts an urge to turn on the oven and start filling the house with heavenly aromas. Apple crisp, caramel apples, mulled #cider, and everything #pumpkin-spiced usher in the fall season. It can also usher in winter weight. Take advantage of all the season has to offer and stay #healthy and fit while you savor October!
AMERICAN PICKERS
The crisp fall air and brilliant blue skies against a backdrop of blazing colors make #apple picking one of the most enjoyable activities of the reason. Michigan is one of the leading growers of apples in the United States.
Cash in on this versatile and healthy fruit by picking your own. The average apple has about 80 calories and five grams of fiber. Picking them is easy, even for kiddies because most #orchards grow dwarf trees that are close to the ground.
Choose apples that are bruise-free and firm. Apples ripen from the outside of the tree to the center. Don't just yank the apple off. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist; don't pull straight away from the tree. Place them gently in your basket or tote. Store them in a cool and humid place and will last for weeks.
One bad apple does spoil the whole bunch, so eat or use the bruised ones and don't store with the good ones. Some variants like Red and Yellow #Delicious don't keep for long but varieties like #Rome and Fuji do.
FALL COLOR TOUR
Who doesn't love Michigan's fall foliage? An afternoon on a hiking trail is one of the best ways to soak up the sun and beautiful colors. The only downside - it's a short season so take advantage of it and burn up to 400 calories per hour while you can.
One of the most scenic and jaw-dropping hikes is at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Carve out a weekend and head up.
The empire Bluff, Pyramid Point, Alligator Hill, and Windy Moraine trails are all filled with blazing color. Each trial, with the exception of the Windy Moraine, will eventually lead to a view of Lake Michigan from a high bluff. Windy Moraine overlooks the Glen Lakes which are gorgeous on their own merit.
Once the leaves have fallen, you can torch calories by raking. An hour spent raking the leaves torches 264 calories.
Other outdoor opportunities for enjoying the fall season and staying active are hitting a local corn maze. Burn 200 calories per hour while you're trying to figure out how to get the heck out of the maze.
Chop wood for your fireplace or to heat your home and burn 400 calories; splitting and stacking it can burn another 340 calories!
OKTOBERFEST
Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held annually in Munich, Germany, during late September/early October. It's time to celebrate all things Bavarian. There are a few Oktoberfests' in Michigan and Old Town Lansing Oktoberfest is one of them.
#Beer, pretzels, sauerkraut, brats, #music, and dancing is standard fare. Some of the healthier options are choosing a light beer (alternate with bottled water between beers), pretzels, and sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is yummy and actually good for you.
Fermented cabbage is low in fat and calories, plus boosts your #immune system.
Split a brat and heap on more sauerkraut. Pretzels - without all the sugary and fat toppings are good to munch on with your beer.
After you've had your beer and pretzel, take part in some German polka dancing, you'll dance off about 305 calories per hour.
CANDY LAND
You can't mention activities in October and leave out trick or treating. Like many of us, you start buying candy in mid-September and it somehow vanishes before the 31st. Don't buy any candy until a few days before and keep it in a cupboard. Out of sight, out of mind.
If possible, buy candy you don't like so you won't be as tempted to eat it. By all means, go trick or treating with the kiddies and have someone else hand out candy at your own home.
The candy #marathon, depending on terrain (the full-size candy bars are always at the top of the hill) will zap at least 300 calories for the night.