Salaam Readers,

Marked by the equinox, the season of football fantasy, bulky scarves, Halloween, and Thanksgiving is here. As temperatures drop and sunlight dims, chlorophyll gives way to other pigments to create a glorious spectacle of russet hues, a treat for forest sightseers. I’m wondering if there is any truth in the weather proverb, “If the leaves take longer to fall, it will be a cold winter.”

Harvest was the word used until the 1300s to describe the next few months of this season of reaping. Not surprising that it’s still used in other languages e.g. Dutch herfst, German Herbst and Scots hairst. As people gradually moved from working the land to living in towns, the word harvest lost its relevance and autumn, as well as fall, began to replace it. The word autumn has connotations of the passing of the year. By the 16th century, it was in common use along with the poetic word fall, a contraction of ‘fall of the leaf’ and ‘fall of the year’. The settlers took it with them to North America. While the term fall gradually became obsolete in Britain, it became the more common term in North America. Call it what you may, but remember that it’s not caused by the earth’s distance from the sun, but its tilt!

Enjoy fall with our recipes of warm desserts such as baked quince, the heart-warming cauliflower soup, with the Macedonian eggplant salad to complement. Back to the grind? A quick quesadilla might be the solution to a hunger situation at home.

Our feature this time will make you realize that your food may be better traveled than you are and make you ponder over cultivating a kitchen garden and visiting the local farmers market. Our article on food coloring is a reminder of why, while adding color to our lives, it is important to look past the exterior and understand what truly goes into our food. Read this issue to know what Niacin’s job in the human body is and where to get it. You’ll also find out how much better or worse fast-casual restaurants are from fast food joints and fine dining. Read on to review some of the fancy, new butters that are trending today. Know more about a fabulously fit pregnancy and also how to preserve your smile with daily care and cosmetic dentistry. Find out what that strange looking thing called quince is and what to do with it.

As always, your feedback would be very welcome, whether via email, Facebook or Twitter.

Happy Reading!

Sincerely,

Haniya Rais Tirmizi, content manager