Celebrate International Chocolate Day, book your COVID booster and check out the harvest moon: Your September guide to healthy (and happy) living
All those Pumpkin Spice Lattes you see people sipping can mean only one thing: Fall is nigh. September brings the fall equinox and, we hope, a much-needed reprieve from that sticky, sweaty, stifling summer heat. Here’s to embracing the new season and making the most out of this time, whether that means settling into healthy routines, breaking free from the air-conditioning and getting out in nature, or finding recipes for some cozy comfort food dishes to try in anticipation of the cooler nights ahead.
Allow us to make a few suggestions of things to eat, see and do this month ...
🍴 Try tofu. It’s hard to ignore the mounting evidence that eating a plant-based diet — or at least scaling back on meat consumption — is good for you. With National Tofu Day falling on Sept. 1, might we challenge you to try the soybean-based protein in at least one dish? Tofu is high in protein (nearly 22 grams per half cup), packed with calcium and iron, and hugely versatile. Crumble silky tofu for an alternative to your morning scrambled eggs; add cornstarch to get a nice crispy texture or let it soak up a flavorful marinade using ingredients like soy sauce or balsamic vinaigrette. Here are a few recipes to get you started.
🍫 Chomp on chocolate. Sept. 13 is International Chocolate Day, and who are we to say otherwise? The holiday coincides with the birthday of Milton S. Hershey, the chocolatier whose last name still graces candy bars to this day. While Hershey and Hershey's are best known for popularizing milk chocolate, it's dark chocolate that is considered the healthier indulgence, thanks to its higher flavanol content.
🩸 Get your cholesterol checked. In the spirit of National Cholesterol Education Month, head to your doctor’s office, pharmacy or, if available in your community, a public screening to get a cholesterol reading. If those numbers show that your LDL (aka the “bad” cholesterol) is above 100, you’ll want to bring it down. Here are a few tips to do that, from changing your diet to getting more sleep.
🏃🏻 Sign up for a fun run. Now that high temperatures are finally on their way out, exercising outdoors is no longer off the table. Look to see what 5ks (or no-pressure walkathons) are happening in your area; it’s a good way to get your steps in, raise money for a charitable cause and, at the very least, score a free T-shirt.
💉 Book your COVID booster — and order new tests. COVID-19 cases are on the rise, making it all the more important to book the just-updated vaccine. The U.S. government will also resume sending free at-home COVID tests (four per household) by the end of the month; you can order those here.
🍯 Stock up on honey. September is National Honey Month, but let’s be real: You should keep a jar of the sweet stuff in your pantry year-round. Honey doesn’t just work wonders for suppressing those seasonal coughs that are bound to be popping up soon; it’s also got antioxidants and polyphenols (good for digestion); can help treat burns and wounds; offers a sweet alternative to regular sugar; and has been associated with improved heart health. Just bear in mind that it’s not considered safe for babies under age 1 and that contrary to conventional wisdom, it probably won’t help with allergies.
🍳 Have breakfast. We get it: It’s hard to find the time to sit down for a healthy breakfast before dashing off for work/school/etc. Maybe you skip the morning meal or wolf down a McMuffin on the go. But in the spirit of National Breakfast Month (aka Better Breakfast Month), it’s time to consider ways to start your day on a more nutritious note. Maybe that means protein-packed Greek yogurt laden with berries; high-fiber oatmeal — or even just a grab-and-go hard-boiled egg. Pick something that’ll help you power through the morning.
🌕 Look up.Experiencing awe is good for your mental health, so be sure to head outside overnight on Sept. 17-18 (exact times will vary depending on your location) for a partial lunar eclipse and a harvest moon (aka the full moon closest to the fall equinox). This supermoon will appear brighter, and its name refers to the extra time its early evening light gave farmers to work outdoors.
🍎 Eat an apple. Apple picking is a beloved autumnal activity (and, apparently, one that burns about 100 calories), so it makes sense that International Eat an Apple Day happens this year on Sept. 21, one day before the official fall equinox. Your mission is simple: Grab an apple (from a tree or the produce section) and chomp away. While green varieties tend to have fewer calories and carbs, the difference is negligible if you prefer a sweet red Honeycrisp to a tart Golden Delicious. Either way, apples offer a solid source of fiber and antioxidants, especially when eaten raw and unpeeled. You can also slice one up and add peanut butter for protein.
🍁 Do something seasonal. See ya later, summer! The autumn equinox — marking the official change of seasons — falls on Sunday, Sept. 22. Take this as your official cue to embrace all things autumnal. Add cinnamon to your coffee. Plan a leaf-peeping trip to see fall foliage. Wear a turtleneck. Buy an apple-scented candle. Watch When Harry Met Sally for the 30th time. Plop a pumpkin on your porch. Whip up a big batch of soup for the week. You get the idea.
🫁 Breathe easy. Why should you care about World Lung Day (Sept. 25) if you don’t smoke? There are a number of other factors that can negatively impact lung health — a big one being air pollution. To protect yourself, take these tips — from checking the air quality in your area to carpooling to conserving energy at home — into consideration.
🥼 Check on your sexual health. September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, so it’s a good idea to see if you’re due for a visit to a gynecologist, urologist or primary care physician. That should include making sure you’re up to date on any recommended cancer screenings; September is also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an important reminder that early detection is key.
Also of note:
It’s Sepsis Awareness Month. Here’s how to recognize symptoms of the life-threatening condition.
Find resources for Suicide Prevention Month — including actions recommended by the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for anyone concerned that a person they know may be having suicidal thoughts.
Ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21, boost your brain health by picking up a new hobby, adding these foods to your diet or adopting these habits.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is Sept. 23-27. Experts have tips to keep older adults on their feet.
Sept. 29 is World Heart Day — a reminder to prioritize your heart health and make a pledge to avoid risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as smoking, high cholesterol and physical inactivity.
