Things That Happen Every Fall That Nobody Warns You About

Fall looks so peaceful in pictures.

Pretty leaves. Cozy sweaters. Hot drinks. A beautiful bowl of soup.

It's a trap.

Here’s what fall actually looks like.

1. Nobody Knows What to Wear

It's 38 degrees at breakfast, so you put on a sweater and jacket.

By 2 p.m., it's 72 and you're carrying everything you own.

Pick a temperature, Fall, You are not going through menopause!

2. The Thermostat War Begins

“WHO TURNED THE HEAT UP?”

Nobody answers.

One person is under three blankets. Someone else has opened a window.

Then somebody says:

“It feels fine to me.”

That person should probably leave.

3. Suddenly We Want Soup

July: “I'll just have a salad.”

September:

“WHERE IS THE CROCKPOT?”

Fall somehow convinces us that we need enough soup to feed 14 people—even when there are only two of us.

And this is where the herbal pantry gets fun.

Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) can add warmth and a little zing to chicken, vegetable, and noodle soups.

Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) is traditionally used in Chinese cooking and herbal soups. Add sliced root while the soup simmers, then remove the pieces before serving.

Licorice Root (Gan Cao) can add a subtle natural sweetness to broths. A little goes a long way.

Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) adds a wonderful citrus aroma and is traditionally associated with digestion in Chinese herbalism—especially nice in rich fall soups and stews.

Suddenly that ordinary pot of soup has gotten a lot more interesting.

4. Your Skin Turns Into Beef Jerky

Lips: dry.

Hands: dry.

Elbows: dry.

You apply lotion.

Twenty minutes later your skin says:

“That was adorable. More.”

And where are the six lip balms you bought last winter?

Nobody knows.

They're probably with the missing socks.

5. The Sun Goes Part-Time

You look outside at 5:15.

It's dark.

WHY IS IT DARK?

Apparently the sun has quietly switched to winter hours.

By 7 p.m., your brain is convinced it's midnight.

6. The Leaves Become Someone Else's Problem

Monday: “I'll rake tomorrow.”

Friday: “I'll definitely do it this weekend.”

Two weeks later:

Maybe the snow will cover them.

Problem solved.

7. Pumpkin Spice Gets Completely Out of Control

Coffee? Fine.

Cookies? Sure.

Candles? Okay.

Pumpkin-spice dog treats?

We've gone too far.

Besides, give me a pot of soup with ginger, astragalus, tangerine peel, and a few good vegetables and I'm ready for fall.

Welcome Back, Fall

So find your favorite sweater, pull out the crockpot, put the kettle on, and check the herbal pantry.

Fall is short.

Enjoy the soup.

Ignore the leaves for another day.

And whatever you do...

Don't touch the thermostat.

Traditional-use information is provided for educational purposes and is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine practices. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Herbal products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.