Happy Sunday! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. I’ve been taking some time for coffee and brunch dates, lots of writing, and some cleaning and organizing. The past week was kind of a big one for me, so I’ve been taking a few days to relax and recharge.

I rarely mention institutions where I work by name on this blog, but I will say that Friday was my last day as a clinical nutritionist at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. Moving on to pursue other endeavors was a really hard decision for me to make, but I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with such a strong, passionate team, if only for a few months.

To continue in the spirit of this weekly gratitude list post, here are a few things that have been making me smile recently:

*Can you believe fall is officially starting this week? This time a year ago, I was a puddle of sad because my sweet doggie Eli was at the vet with kidney failure. 4 days or dialysis and diuresis. I honestly thought I was going to lose my little buddy. Thankfully, he pulled through. After a few months on a renal diet, I’m happy to report that he’s happy and healthy as ever (even after that time he ate rat poison and had to be on vitamin K supplements for a month). Here he is up to no good with his buddies (my parents’ dogs) the other day. This weekend he’s at the beach with my mom and grandfather. Dude is living the life. 

I know it’s cheesy to say so, but I honestly feel like this tiny little fluffball saved my life last year. I was so sad for such a long time, and this little fireball of crazy burst into my life and opened me up to loving and happiness in a way I’d forgotten existed. There is a special place in hell for people who don’t like dogs.  #crazydogladyoriginstory

*I love fall in New York and am so excited for fall clothes and cooler-weather foods. I just bought, like, all the Modern Boatneck tee shirts from the Gap. Coupons + Sale Code + Ebates = all the justification I need.

*I am so into pumpkin oatmeal. I totally have a season of orange palms ahead of me.

*I also have a ton of pumpkin recipes coming your way this month and next, so stay tuned for that. We’re all going to be getting our vitamin A this season…

*More pumpkin. I was interviewed a few weeks ago for this Yahoo Health piece, “Your body immediately after drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte.” Disclaimer: when I posted this, my sister responded, “Why do you do this to me?!” So read at your own risk. Remember, though—you can totally make your drink less ridonculous by choosing a lower-fat milk or unsweetened non-dairy milk and asking for one pump syrup instead of the standard gazillion. Also, consider foam instead of whipped cream.

*All that said, I’m happy seasonal drinks are here. I had some apple cinnamon tea the other day, and it was divine.

*I didn’t write this, but I appreciate that it exists: Foods to increase your libido—Have fun, kids.

What’s made you smile lately?