Friends! Can you believe Fall officially begins in one week?! It’s finally here — my favourite time of year!
Every September, I fall in love all over again… The autumnal change in colours, the knitwear and sweaters we get to layer on, and the seasonal change in warm beverages on coffee shop menus just get me. Every, single, time! 🙂
While for some, September can often feel overwhelming at work with colleagues returning from vacation and entering “high productivity mode”, there’s still something that I find peaceful about the early mornings. The cooler air on walks with the dog, the sky that turns to that soft peach as the sun rises slightly later every day… It’s hard to explain but things just *feel* different.
One of the things I love most about fall, is of course the food. Specifically – the uptake in comfort food I like prepare for myself and my heartmate! 🙂
- This Vegan Pumpkin Soup Recipe (which continues to be my most pinned recipe on Pinterest!).
- This 10 Minute Chickpea Chilli Sin Carne Recipe (V, GF)
- This Classic Ratatouille Recipe (V, GF)
I’m sorry, but what tastes better than a piece of grilled sourdough bread dunked into your leftover soup (after the flavours have had more time to fully settle)? Answer: nothing!
There’s also a sense of satisfaction that comes with preparing your own meals. Whether you’re cooking for one, or for a full family – the meal becomes something you’ve made with your own hands, and hopefully, you’ve made it with love. Either for the love of taking care of your health, the love of food and flavour, or the love of nourishing your family.
It’s no surprise to you I’m sure that I love to cook. Growing up, we always ate at home, and every meal was made by hand. Restaurants were a real treat. I find that homemade food always tastes better because it’s a craft that;s had influence from my family and friends growing up. Now there’s inspiration I pull from a few of my favourite restaurants, other food bloggers, and even a few cooking shows on the food network or on YouTube (the millennial generation’s television lol!).
This fall season I’m teaming up with my local municipality; York Region, to help inspire a wave of people, across all ages (not just millennials), to spend more time this season cooking at home.
After all, the fall’s cooler evening temperatures can be encouragement enough to come in after a long walk and cozy up with a bowl of homemade comfort food. (#amiright).
For the whole month of October I’ve committed to York Region’s challenge of cooking 30 meals in 30 days. You’re free to join the #LetsCook30 challenge and learn more about the initiative, such as why cooking at home can be:
- Often a healthier decision,
- Simple and cost-saving,
- Better for the environment,
- And a great way to bring people together over food.
It’s not about dieting, and it’s not about 30 days of eating cabbage soup, either. In a nutshell, it’s one month of the year where we can remind ourselves that cooking our own meals is a simple feat, rather than a great challenge.
To kickoff this exciting initiative that runs from October 1st – 31st 2019, I’m featuring this Teriyaki Veggie Bowl Recipe that I’ve personally made for myself, twice now. It’s the first recipe featured for the start of the program, and it’s been approved by York Region Public Health.
Get the recipe for this Let’s Cook 30 Veggie Teriyaki Bowl here!
What would a challenge be without a fun contest and prizes?
That’s right! Throughout the month of October, by posting a photo or video on Facebook, Instagram (including Instagram Stories), or Twitter of you cooking at home or a dish you made and tagging @YorkRegionGovt and/or add the hashtag #LetsCook30 you can be entered to win a weekly or grand prize below! Be sure to follow @YorkRegionGovt on Instagram, too, to be entered to win!
Weekly Prizes: A random draw will announce the winner of a $100 Visa gift card on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 12:00 noon (EST)
- Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 12:00 noon (EST)
- Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 12:00 noon (EST)
Grand Prize: At the end of the challenge, anybody who has participated throughout the month will be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card on the following date:
- Friday, November 1, 2019 at 12:00 noon (EST)
This is truly a great initiative that you I know I personally stand behind. I’ve always been a firm believer of making my own meals, and I personally encourage you to learn more about this initiative at York Region’s Let’s Cook 30 campaign page for more program and contest information.
Nick Joly | Inspired by Nick
#begoodtoyourbody
inspiredbynick.com
Thank you to The Regional Municipality of York (York Region) for sponsoring this post!
This post was sponsored by The Regional Municipality of York (York Region).
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