For the last few days here in New York, the skies have been gray, the air damp and windy. The seasons are changing, and it even smells like Fall! I’m ready for it. I’m ready for the autumn jackets and scarves, the root vegetables and apple cider, the pumpkin picking, the cozy nights curled up with a blanket. Also, within the next month and a half, I have my trip to France (September 
to look forward to, my 23rd birthday (October 3), and the arrival of some news (sometime in September). It’s exciting!
Yesterday Ari and I slept in- I had two days off in a row- then hit the gym for a 20 minute HIIT treadmill workout. Short and sweet! When we got back, we were both craving eggs. I made myself an egg white puff with salsa and cottage cheese and a side of cantaloupe.
It took me two tries to get the eggs right… for the record, always add the cottage cheese after the eggs are cooke, if you’re making them in the microwave! Another good thing about egg whites from the carton? They don’t put you at risk for the recent salmonella outbreak.
Lunch was simple but tasty: spiralized zucchini topped with leftover beans and kale with nutritional yeast and lemon juice.
My body’s temperature runs pretty low to begin with (usually in the 96-97 range) and with the air conditioner inside and the chilly weather outside, I was freezing. So, despite my no-coffee-after-three rule, I brewed another pot and climbed into bed with a hot mug, sweater, blanket and a book. So cozy!
I had some errands to run in the late afternoon, so I grabbed a Vegan Energy Bar on my way out the door.
My mom and I met at Barnes and Noble, where I spotted Caitlin’s Operation Beautiful! I went to pick it up last week, but the Union Square B&N has just had a terrible fire. It was amazing to see her beautiful book in stores and to see how far the movement has come from Day 1. (I’ve blogged about two of the notes I’ve posted here and here.)
Once we got our shopping out of the way, my mom and I headed to our favorite Japanese restaurant to meet my dad for dinner.
I had a bowl of miso soup…
A sashimi appetizer…
… and a salmon avocado hand roll. Hand rolls are so fun to eat! I usually just order regular maki (the more popular, cut-up, bite-size pieces of roll), but I was in the mood for something different. And isn’t the “bouquet” pretty?
After dinner, my dad drove me to The Lite Choice. I wasn’t planning on going, but I think the store acts as a homing device and sends me signals whenever I’m near. Plus, it was double punch day, so my next cup of almond butter soft-serve is free 
Off to the gym and then work. Have a great day!
What do you love about Fall?
Haha “August Chill” was the title if my post last night!
You lunch looks yummy. I’ve been eyeing a spiralizer, but for now I make due with just my mandolin and all it’s attachments – not quite the same.
Almond. Butter. Soft. Serve.? The Lite Choice sounds like an awesome place!
I love the smell of chimney smoke coming from people’s homes.
I love picking off a crisp apple straight from the tree, and eating it from hand.
I love heating up a glass of apple cider, sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon and clove.
I love wearing a goosedown vest over a woolen sweater, topped with a warm scarf.
Autumn is delicious.
Its feeling very autumn like here too, I nearly asked that question on my blog the other day too. I still refuse to turn the heating back on until its September though! I love autumn – halloween, new coat and boots, the leaves on the ground and those beautiful colours, crisp mornings, big bowls of warm soup…I can’t wait!
I love hand rolls! So pretty!
I love fall. Favorite season hands down. I love the colors of fall, the food, the holidays and most of all my birthday – I’m one day before you!
Seperately, I love the lite choice, but don’t see myself going there as often once the season turns. Which is probably good for my waist and wallet. I’ve never had almond butter, is it a custom mix-in?
I love the sense of a new season, new beginning, new semester, new clothes, red jackets, smell of burning leaves, cozy evenings at home.
You just reminded me that I have a spiralizer! It’s been collecting dust for a while. Need to change that! Your sushi dinner looks great. Your Lite Choice looks even better!
i can’t lie. i’m secretly mad your dad didn’t pick me up and drive me with you to tlc even if it was like below zero yesteday.
and nowwww you’ve completely made me want nooch & beans. with a side of ice cream and fall weather!
I want fall. the end. It’s still scorching hot here, I’ve heard everyone talk about being in hoodies – so jealous.
Your mom is a doll!
I can’t decide whether I want to embrace the weather or wish it away. I always feel slightly guilty about getting excited for fall…Also—you and my younger sis have the exact same birthday! I’m already wondering what I should get her for her 23rd!
AH! Can’t wait for fall. I love the crisp days, leaves, colors, and even the smells. Apples and pumpkins too. And using the change of season to go shopping (hello, fall wardrobe!). The zucchini and beans lunch looks delicious!
Almond butter soft serve?! That sounds insanely good x x
My love for the fall = the leaves!
Sashimi = yum!
News = so intrigued!
What I love about fall…well, my hair is less frizzy, that’s always a plus! And I love wearing lightweight jackets and scarves and drinking HOT coffee again! Iced coffee just isn’t the same.
Can’t wait to hear what your news is!
Almond butter soft serve sounds amazing! As does your lunch.
sashimi = bestttttttttttttttttt
Haha, when I first saw this post, I thought it said “August Chili” and after I read it I was thinking to myself “wait, where is the chili?” LoL I even went back up to see if I missed it!
Haha, duh!
Fall is in the air here too. I’m not really ready for cold weather but the thoughts of pumpkin and apple seasons helps with the pain.
I’m so ready for fall too! Just wish it weren’t still 90 degrees here:(
I love the crunchy leaves during fall–I go out of my way to step on them:)
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT FALL! my fav season <3
the best things are the sweaters, boots, pumpkin recipes, lattes, pie a la mode, leaves, warmer colors, fresh air and a sense of comfort and romance that comes with autumn <3
oh and the shopping sales lol
Wow! After reading the comments suddenly I like fall.
Do me a favor and remind me again of all these wonderful things when I am freezing!
fall is the best season! i hope the weather is still like that when i get back to nyc, and not too hot. i’ve been craving the lite choice so much, but we don’t have any here =(
My favorite part of fall is definitely baking with pumpkin. I usually go a little overboard searching for new pumpkin recipes–breads, muffins, cookies, even pasta sauces!
I’m with everyone else–almond butter soft serve sounds awesome
Wonder how I could create a homemade version?
Hope you have a great day!
yay!! looks like you were successful in the japanese night endeavors!
allll the good stuff! sashimi, miso soup, and the SAME handroll I ordered when I went for my bday! 
avocado & salmon=dlish.
what better way to end the night than froyo!?
you just got me wayyyyy too excited for fall! i love autumn walks, chunky sweaters, boots + jeans, enjoying warm coffee, spiced apple cider, scarves, pumpkin, halloween and just the whole feeling of a beginning of change