As we prepare to say goodbye to summer and hello to pumpkin spice flavored fall, now is a great time to practice healthy habits and try out delicious, comforting foods.

If you are a pumpkin spice fan, like me, it’s easy to skip the sugar laden drinks and baked goods and swap them out for homemade treats. Making your own Pumpkin Spice Latte is cheap and easy! All you need is brewed coffee/espresso, milk of choice, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sweetener of choice. Foam the milk, add pumpkin puree, spices, vanilla extract, and sweetener to your coffee, add milk, top with foam, and add a little sprinkle of cinnamon.

Pumpkin isn’t the only tasty winter squash. There are many other varieties you may want to try. Acorn, Butternut, and Delicata squash are delicious roasted and topped with a spritz of olive oil and a sprinkle of cinnamon. These are a great side dish to add to your favorite meal. You’ll get a dose of Vitamins A and C, plus fiber!

Colder weather makes some people crave warm, comforting foods. Making your own soup is a great way to bump up the nutrients and lower the sodium content. If you like pumpkin, try out a Pumpkin Chicken Chili recipe. Homemade soup loaded with your favorite fall vegetables, like kale, peas, celery, and cabbage, is an easy meal prep. Cook a chicken in the crockpot (also a great way to make your own chicken broth) or brown ground chicken or turkey to add to your soup and increase the protein intake. This will make your soup more satisfying.

Root vegetables are great to roast. Fall veggies like beets, Brussels sprouts, radishes, and potatoes make a great addition to any meal. They can be roasted and added to eggs for a hardy breakfast or mixed with rice or quinoa and your favorite protein source for a lunch bowl that travels well and is easy to take to work. For a healthy snack, pair a bowlful of of these tasty vitamin rich vegetables with a protein or a fat source (like hummus or avocado) and you have a snack that not only provides tons of nutrients but also satiety to keep your energy levels up and the afternoon slump at bay.

These colorful healthy treats aren’t the only items you can roast. In fact, you can create a one pan meal that makes cleaning up easy! Roasted Salmon, sweet potatoes and broccoli is one example. You get your Omega 3 fatty acids and a combination of carbs, fat, and protein all in one easy meal. Another delicious dinner is Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers. Add in some rice, onions, and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a slice or two of avocado for another easy dinner that checks all the boxes for nutrients.

Take advantage of the fall crops and create new, healthy comfort foods to enjoy throughout the season. Make it a goal to experiment and try at least one new recipe each week. You just might surprise yourself with some new favorite dishes!