Friday Five: 24 September 2010

Welcome to Fall!  Even though it's still in the 90s this week for where I live, it's officially the fall season.  I must admit, this is my favorite season of the year.  The refreshingly cool weather following the Alabama summer feels so good, especially when a breeze blows across a grassy field and gives me goosebumps.  I also love the vibrant colors on the trees when the leaves begin to change.  I love visiting my in-laws in Tennessee during this time of the year (not that I don't love visiting them any other time, promise) because I get my fall leaf mecca that soothes my soul.  And, of course, the fires.  There's something about the fall season and fires that goes together like Nutella and strawberry preserves (what?!  peanut butter and jelly is the ONLY analogy I can use?).  This is the first fall in our new house, and we've been collecting firewood ever since a lightning strike killed a tree in our backyard.  But one of the other reasons I love this season is the seasonal foods that come out at the same time.  And this Friday Five is dedicated to some of those seasonal additions to the stores that make me just as excited as a bright orange maple leaf. 

1. Starbuck's has brought back their fall drinks, including my favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte.  This drink is kind of heavy on the carbs, so I try to stick to the tall and get it skinny.  If I want to skip the carbs, I also enjoy the seasonal Anniversary Blend, which is a bold yet spicy brew.  For me, the bolder the better the coffee with as little amount of creamer as possible.   Either way, this season is when I enjoy coffee the most because the warm caffeine combined with a cool breeze is just heaven.  
2. Chili!  What could be better than coming home after a cold day and walk in the door to an overwhelming scent of tomatoes, spices, and beans roasting in a crock pot.  I enjoy making soups all throughout the year, but chili is one of those things that warms the body, soul, and home.  Plus most chilis are loaded with protein, so depending on if there's cornbread involved or not I rarely have to bolus for chili.  
3. Fall Beers!  Specifically, Sam Adam's Octoberfest.  They also have a harvest collection 12-pack that includes other fall flavors including Black Lager which has carmel and chocolate in it.  Yum!  Most of these beers are on the order of 20-30g carbs each, but alcohol lowers BG so there's a counterattack going on.  I usually try to have a beer either with dinner or a snack to help prevent the low that comes after the beer.  
4. Halloween Candy!  OK, so this isn't specifically a "fall" food, but I love all the different candies that come in small, bite-size packages.  After we buy way, WAY too much candy for the handful of kids that come through our neighborhood, I save all these treats for potential low treaters.  Or just because, you know, if we're gonna have extra anyway . . . *blush*  
5. And just to add something relatively healthy to this list, apples!  Specifically, caramel apples at that.  But it doesn't have to be strictly caramel.  There's a candy store close to me that does dark chocolate covered or while chocolate covered with candy worms or Oreo crumblings or sprinkles or *drool* . . . If I'm feeling adventurous to conquer one of these, I try to get it presliced (because let's face it, trying to eat those things straight up will guarantee I'll need a shower afterward), split it with Trey, and bolus about 2 units per slice.  

I hope this post doesn't have you running to the nearest Starbuck's or candy store, but I hope you join me in embracing this fall season.  It truly is a great time of year because of all the reasons mentioned above and it means the holidays are right around the corner!  What are some of your favorite fall foodies? 

Have a great weekend!

(Hey!  I went through a whole post about fall without talking about football.  That's progress, people!)