Today, the first official day of Fall has me thinking about all things autumn.  The appeal of the season has much to do with the scents and flavors, but of tradition and the way everything dramatically changes - the foliage, the temperature, the colors, the sights, the sounds.  An essential wardrobe piece this season is a versatile coat that can be worn from day to night.  I’m loving this pumpkin-colored trench made from 98% organic cotton and 2% spandex stretch canvas.  How perfect for trips to a harvest party or even back-to-school night.  This Patagonia Organic Cotton Women’s Negril Trench was $140, but on sale now for just $98.  Score!

If you cohabitate with your pets, you know the woes of keeping pet odors at bay.  Its a constant concern and always a little nerve-wracking when company arrives - because the last thing we want is for the house to smell like “dog” or “cat”.  With two indoor/outdoor dogs and one indoor cat, I was happy to discover Fresh Wave Odor Neutralizing products a couple years ago.

Fresh Wave products are a must-have for the conscious pet owner who prefers not (or refuses) to use its toxic counterparts, especially important as we transition into colder months ahead when windows are shut more often and indoor air pollution becomes more of a concern than any other season.

My two favorite products from the line are the Odor Neutralizing Air Spray and Odor Neutralizing Crystals.  I use the spray everywhere from the bathroom, to the litter box, to the dog beds and the odor neutralizing crystals have a permanent residence in the home office, where the pets like to congregate.  If you’re still looking for a non-toxic option to banish pet odors, be sure to try Fresh Wave - I think you’ll be very (pleasantly) surprised with the results!

Fall has arrived - at least in most parts of the country.  Temps, leaves and apples are falling inducing soup, sweater and cinnamon cravings.  Its also making me think more about one-pot meals and dishes that simmer on the stove filling the house with delicious aromas by dinnertime.  Lately, I’ve been cooking more with my red Le Crueset cast iron enamel-covered french oven that I’ve had for over four years and I’m still in awe of how much better my food tastes when I cook in it.  Once you own one, you’ll no longer wonder why this timeless and amazing cookware is pricey - because you definitely get what you pay for.

The first thing you’ll notice about these french ovens is the weight.  Extremely heavy duty and supremely well-made, you’ll have yours for years and likely have it for long enough to pass down to your kids.  The enamel coating is non-stick, won’t chip and food is cooked evenly and thoroughly - you can even use it to marinate food before cooking and store food after cooking.  And its energy efficient since food is cooked best on low to medium temps.

If you’re in need of replacing your old cookware or buying for the first time - consider investing in a Le Crueset, or at least put it on your Christmas list now, you won’t regret it.

I just spotted this recipe in my Martha Stewart Living mag (October ‘09).  The ‘Magic Of Fall’ issue is dedicated to all things festive - and if you haven’t been able to tell by now my affection for Autumn is in full swing.  I definitely plan on making this soon…but probably not before I make a trip to a pumpkin farm.  This is one of the few recipes I’ve found for pumpkin soup that doesn’t involve dairy - which is perfect for me since I’m lactose intolerant.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup:

2 3/4 pounds sugar pumpkin or butternut squash, halved and seeded

1 onion, peeled and quartered through the stem

2 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps wiped clean

1 garlic clove, peeled

1/2 cup organic olive oil

Course salt and freshly ground pepper

5 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium vegetable stock

Directions:

1). Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut pumpkin into 2-inch pieces. Combine pumpkin, onion, mushrooms, and garlic on a rimmed baking sheet.  Add oil and 2 teaspoons salt; toss to coat, then spread in a single layer. Roast until pumpkin is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 30 minutes, rotating pan and tossing vegetables halfway through.  Let cool, then remove skins.

2). Transfer vegetables to a medium saucepan; heat over medium. Pour in 2 cups stock; puree with an immersion blender until smooth. With the blender running, slowly add remaining 3 cups stock, and puree until smooth. Bring soup just to a simmer. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper.  Serve hot. Cover to keep warm.

Photo & recipe courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

First of all, if you don’t laugh when you see or hear this product’s name, Chicken Poop Lip Junk - I have serious doubts about whether you have a sense of humor.  Everything from the name, marketing, web address (www.ilovechickenpoop.com) is hilarious (IMHO, of course!).  There is however one thing the company is actually serious about and its their ingredients - very simple, yet very effective.  Confession: I don’t like this product as a lip balm though - its much too lavender-y for lips.  I’m talking knock-my-organic-socks-off-and-feel-like-I’ve-been-chewing-on-lavender-plants-for-days lip balm - so if you like that kind of thing, go for it!  It is however perfect as an all-purpose and mighty convenient on-the-go stick to heal and/or soothe cuts, scrapes or bug bites (my personal fave).  The twist up tube doesn’t take up any space in my bag or bathroom drawer and its ideal to dab on mosquito bites to take the sting right out.  And the good news?  Its totally affordable at just $2.99 a tube and it is sure to be the topic of many conversations!

The Endangered Species 72% Dark Chocolate Bar with Cranberries and Almonds is, without question, one of my favorite sweet treats.   This three ounce chocolate bar is made with totally natural, shade grown, ethically traded cocoa. Smooth on the palate, this is the perfect combination of slightly tart dark chocolate, mixed with sweet dried cranberries and crunchy almonds.  Endangered Species chocolate is ethically traded ensuring cocoa farmers are paid a fair wage.  The package is printed on 30% post-consumer FSC-certified paper and the candy is certified Kosher, vegan and gluten-free.  If you are a dark chocolate fan like I am, try this bar - you won’t be sorry!

From the heart of France comes a propreity blend of organic french red grapes, bottled by ReserveAge - a company committed to naturally extending youth.  Resveratrol has been popping up in beauty products since its known as a powerful anti-ager, but now you can get the benefits of it via these convenient supplements (1-2 vegetarian capsules daily).  Made with certified organic ingredients, this pure, beneficial and active trans-resveratrol has been proven to the SIRT1 longevity gene, provide fast cell rejuvenation and offer maximum antioxidant protection.

*These statements have no been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Swedish Hasbeens (love the name) have been made by hand since the 70s, in the same small factory in Sweden.  They’re made of sustainable wood and PVC-free rubber soles (a more environmentally friendly alternative), and one of the very few footwear companies that uses high quality, naturally dyed, chrome-free leather.  Swedish Hasbeens can last a lifetime if taken care of well and according to the company “if you don’t give them to your kids, you can plant them and they will disappear“.

I’ve been using this Free & Clear Natural Dish Liquid from Seventh Generation for the past few weeks and I’m definitely a fan!  I tend to raise an eyebrow to products that claim to be natural, yet contains artificial color and/or fragrance and this is without both.  Seventh Generation also recently changed their packaging to a more clean and simple design, which I like - in addition to including the full ingredient lists on their products with a new “we have nothing to hide, we disclose all ingredients” mantra (gotta love honesty!).  This foams up nicely, doesn’t leave spots on dishes and its easy on my hands (doesn’t dry them out after washing a sinkful of dishes).  If you prefer to let your dishwasher do the washing, you may want to check out these dishwashing tablets (they’re the most effective natural ones we’ve discovered thus far).

According to Seventh Generation, if every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 25 ounce petroleum-based dishwashing liquid with our plant-derived product, we could save 86,000 barrels of oil - enough to heat and cool 4,900 U.S. homes for a year!?  Other benefits include:

+ Non-toxic & biodegradable

+ Hypo-allergenic

+ Free of phosphates

+ Safe for septic & grey water systems

+ Not tested on animals

+ Kosher-certified

This won’t break the bank either. Budget-conscious buyers will be happy to know this retails for just $3.99, but right now it can be found on sale here for $3.24 (and while you’re at it - take a peak at 33 rave reviews of this dish soap).