Fall Family Festivities

Fall is ripe with fun activities. Here are a few you can do with the whole family.

Camp out in the backyard. All you need is a patch of grass, a tent and sleeping bags. Spend the evening stargazing, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and sharing quality family time.

Attend a fall festival. Take time to enjoy autumn celebrations with a visit to a local festival or fair where you can participate in fun activities and try some delicious foods.

Take a color walk. This is especially fun for young kids learning about colors. Divide a piece of paper into multiple sections, each labeled with a different color. Take your paper and some clear tape and go exploring anywhere you want, whether it's your own backyard or a local walking trail. Try to find one item for each color, such as a flower or leaf, and tape it to the coordinating section.

Make treats to eat or give away. Fall is as well known for its tastes and smells as it is for its colors. Try a new or tried-and-true recipe for a fall treat to enjoy as a family or to give away to a friend or neighbor.

Try These Activities for Even More Family Fun

• Visit a pumpkin patch
• Have an apple cider "tea" party
• Make a scarecrow
• Go for a hayride
• Navigate a corn maze
• Have a pumpkin decorating contest
• Create wreaths out of fall foliage
• Take fun family photos
• Host a potluck
• Watch a movie outdoors under the stars
• Tailgate at a football game
• Take a nature hike
• Go apple picking

Tricks, Treats and Halloween Trivia

Halloween is more than candy and costumes — it's a day steeped in history and traditions. Discover the spooky origins and fun facts behind this haunted holiday.

• The first celebrations of Halloween, known as Samhain (meaning summer's end), occurred over 2,000 years ago in what is now the United Kingdom, Ireland and Northern France. The festivities marked the end of the fall harvest and the crossing over of spirits. Patrons lit bonfires to keep ghosts away and wore costumes to trick spirits.
• Jack-o'-lanterns originated in Ireland and were carved from turnips, potatoes and beets.
• Halloween became popular in the U.S. when European immigrants began arriving in the latter half of the 1800s, bringing their traditions with them.
• Americans spend about $10 billion on Halloween every year, making it the second-largest commercial holiday.
• Keene, NH holds the world record for most Jack-o'-lanterns, with over 30,000 lit pumpkins decorating the town.

YOU Matter!

October 10 Is World Mental Health Day

You're already an awesome person inside and out, so consider the following tips a little refresher course in prioritizing your mental health.

Express gratitude. Taking a moment to appreciate the big and little things can have wonderful benefits.

Avoid dwelling on the past or worrying excessively about the future. Savoring experiences as they come keeps you firmly planted in the moment.

Spend time with people who inspire you. Surrounding yourself with upbeat, supportive individuals can bring out the best in you.

Minimize exposure to negative media, social media and toxic environments. Seeking out positive and motivational content reinforces a constructive mindset.

Take care of your physical and emotional well-being. Participate in activities that bring you joy, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and eat a balanced diet.

Engage in acts of kindness. Helping others can boost your own happiness and foster a more positive perspective on life.

Embrace humor and laughter in your life. Relax and watch comedies with your family, spend time with friends who have a great sense of humor, and be on the lookout for silly situations that happen every day.

What Is Meatless Monday?

If you're curious about starting a vegetarian diet or just want to eat less meat, "Meatless Monday" might be a good place to start.

Meatless Monday originated in 1917 when Americans were asked to cut their meat consumption by 15% to conserve rations for troops fighting overseas in WWI. The movement regained steam in the early 21st century and has grown into a global movement, with participation from many organizations, including schools, hospitals and even some restaurants.

The advantages of consuming less meat are plentiful, including lowering your risk of stroke and heart disease, preventing obesity and diabetes, and saving money at the grocery store.

Caramel Apple Granola

Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned oats
½ cup chopped pecans
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1 cup dried apples, finely diced
¾ cup sugar
3 Tbsp. water
3 Tbsp. butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 350^° F. In a medium bowl, combine oats, pecans, spices, a pinch of salt, and apples. Set aside. In a large saucepan, mix sugar and water. Boil over medium heat, without stirring, until sugar appears golden. Remove from heat. Quickly add butter, stirring until smooth. Pour caramel over the oat mixture and stir to coat. Spread granola evenly onto a baking pan and bake for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until granola is golden. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature before serving.