This exciting time of year has arrived again. It is a time to celebrate as there many changes taking place in the environment, universe and within ourselves. The weather is getting colder and the body requires more nourishing foods. Enjoy the lovely autumn vegetables that are in season now: bell peppers, beet, broccoli, Brussels, cauliflower, celery root, chard, collards, fennel, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips, and wild mushrooms. 
Also enjoy apples, chestnuts, cranberries, pears, pomegranate,and persimmon, also known as Sharon fruit.
Good quality dark chocolate is lovely as a treat. I will write an article on some of my favourite healthy chocolate bars. Yes they do now exist!
Some interesting facts about Halloween
-In ancient England, a holy person was called a “Hallow”.
-Its roots go back for centuries and the pagan festival of ancient Ireland known as Samhain (pronounced sow’-en or sow’-een), also marks the prehistoric observance of end of summer and the onset of winter, and was celebrated with feasting, bonfires, sacrificial offerings, and homage to the dead.
-The dead are honoured and feasted, not as the dead, but as the living spirits of loved ones and of guardians who hold the root-wisdom of the tribe. With the coming of Christianity, this festival was turned into Hallowe’en (31 October), All Hallows [All Saints Day] (1 November), and All Souls Day (2 November). Here we can see most clearly the way in which Christianity built on the Pagan foundations it found rooted in these isles. Not only does the purpose of the festival match with the earlier one, but even the unusual length of the festival is the same.
-The veils of the world are the thinnest around this time of year so the living would disguise as the dead.
Bonewit’s essential guide to druidism by Isacc Bonewit contains some interesting facts and theories.
