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anne mauney running on the mt. vernon trail
September 19, 2023

Finally Fall

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

27 comments
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Friends: it has finally happened. It feels like fall here in the DC area!

Here’s how I feel about it:

anne mauney jumping into air

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I met my friend Kathleen for a run a few days ago and it was the first run that has actually felt good in months. I just really don’t enjoy hot weather running (and haven’t done much of it, to be honest – maybe one short run a week since summer hit).

Every summer I start thinking maybe I don’t actually enjoy running after all… and then every fall I remember I do. Having a friend with me helps, too – most of my recent runs have been solo because of busy schedules and travel and running alone is just very meh for me.

So, yay for company and great weather to boot!

anne mauney and kathleen leverenz

Kathleen and I did an out and back on the Mt. Vernon Trail from Roosevelt Island. We made it about 4 miles total (I forgot to restart my watch after a break at the turnaround point, so no watch pic).

anne mauney running on the mt. vernon trail

Running somewhere that wasn’t just my same old neighborhood loop was also nice. Mt. Vernon trail, I’ve missed you!

view of memorial bridge from mt. vernon trail

Nice weather also made family adventures over the weekend way better. Matt and I took the kids over to Huntley Meadows on Saturday morning for a family hike.

Huntley Meadows is one of our local faves – it has a beautiful marsh with a boardwalk where you can see all sorts of fun wildlife (birds, frogs, turtles, and sometimes even muskrats), and you enter and depart on some beautiful wooded trails.

Riese has been to Huntley Meadows a bunch of times with me on Riese + Mommy dates, but Wes hadn’t been since he was a little baby. He loved it…

Despite the fact that within the first 5 minutes we were out there he jumped directly into this little pond, thinking it was solid because it was covered with algae! Whoops… that was quite a surprise for him!

Matt was like “nooooooo!!!!” but didn’t get to him until it was too late!

So Wes spent the rest of the hike barefoot and was a total champ about it. Thankfully on the boardwalk it was smooth so he was fine walking without shoes, and in the woods we either carried him or had him in the stroller (it’s a flat and pretty clear trail so fine for strollers which is nice).

It was really nice to get out and about as a family and do something fun and not end up drowning in sweat by the end of it. We want to do something like this more often with the kids now that the weather isn’t horrible.

If you’re local, any other recs for kid-friendly trails or outdoorsy adventures that are also enjoyable for mom and dad (aka not just standing around at a playground)?

As for food, I’ve been out of the habit of taking pictures of my meals lately since we’ve been eating similar stuff a lot, but I did snag a photo of this gorgeous fig salad I enjoyed on a date night with Matt at one of our Del Ray faves, Stracci pizza.

Isn’t it pretty? Will definitely be recreating this!

fig salad from stracci pizza

And that reminds me, it’s perfect timing now for my Harvest Bowls with Sweet Potato… love that recipe so much!

And that’s all I have for you today! I’m having a bit of writer’s block lately when it comes to lifestyle posts… if you have any requests for topics or things you’d like for me to share/write about, I’m all ears.

Have a great week – my birthday is Thursday and I’ve got my annual girl’s trip to Cape May over the weekend. So excited and perfect timing to do something fun for my birthday! I’ll share a recap next week!

- anne
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27 comments
  • Melanie September 19, 2023 · 6:17AM:
    I really like the recaps/day in the life/ old school blog posts the best!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 19, 2023 · 9:47AM:
      That's helpful to hear, thanks for taking the time to comment! It's tough to tell what readers want these days as people don't comment much anymore due to more often reading on mobile vs. desktop!
      Reply
    • V September 19, 2023 · 12:31PM:
      I second this!
      Reply
      • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
        September 19, 2023 · 2:53PM:
        Thanks for the feedback!
        Reply
  • Jenn September 19, 2023 · 8:34AM:
    Prince William Forest Park isn't that far from you and has tons of trails and a playground.
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 19, 2023 · 9:47AM:
      Nice, will add it to the list! Thanks!
      Reply
  • michela September 19, 2023 · 9:36AM:
    uh...that plate is simply fantastic! will replicate after my next run!
    Reply
  • KJ September 19, 2023 · 12:57PM:
    Fellow Alexandrian here! Have you been to Dora Kelley Nature Park? and Oxon Hill Farm is cute!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 19, 2023 · 2:54PM:
      Oo I had forgotten about Dora Kelley! Went there once a few years ago with Riese but haven't been back and that's a great idea. Will have to check out Oxon Hill Farm too - thank you for the recs!
      Reply
  • TrackBuddy September 19, 2023 · 4:52PM:
    +1 to reasonable fall running weather! Holmes Run park in greater Falls Church is fun to wander around with kids. Dirt trail through the woods that also includes a nice little river beach area that the kids can splash in, as well as a cool field to run around.
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 20, 2023 · 10:16AM:
      Awesome, thanks for the rec! Glad to hear you're getting out to enjoy this running weather too :)
      Reply
  • Cathy Wright September 19, 2023 · 7:31PM:
    Have a very Happy Birthday Anne. Take lots of pics at Cape May.....love reading your posts
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 20, 2023 · 10:17AM:
      I definitely will! I always have fun writing recaps from trips so will be sure to get lots of pics. :)
      Reply
      • V September 21, 2023 · 12:33PM:
        I also enjoy your trip recaps. Especially Cape May, as we visit every year.
        Reply
  • Kaci September 19, 2023 · 9:46PM:
    I’d be interested in reading a post about your fitness and workouts in this season of life, how that’s changed from before, and how motherhood has influenced that. You said something in a previous post about finally feeling like coming home in your body after pregnancy and nursing and that really stuck with me. Also agree with a previous comment that day in the life posts are great!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 20, 2023 · 10:17AM:
      Ooo good idea, will add this to the list!
      Reply
  • Maggie September 19, 2023 · 10:23PM:
    As for lifestyle post suggestions - I love day in the life or WIAW type posts! Thanks for keeping on posting - I've been following your blog for 10+ years and love that it still pops up in my feed.
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 20, 2023 · 10:17AM:
      Thank you so much for reading! <3
      Reply
  • Roadrunner September 20, 2023 · 5:24PM:
    All hail the arrival of fall in the national capital region, one of the nicest times of the year! Glad you are taking advantage of it, Anne!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 21, 2023 · 12:28PM:
      Hizzah!
      Reply
  • Pam September 21, 2023 · 9:02PM:
    This isn't a topic suggestion, but one thing I enjoy about your blog is the relaxed, realistic attitude toward exercise/activity. I'm a lot older than you, so I am dealing with different issues. But the philosophy is useful in any phase of life. Your descriptions of doing what feels right, or what works for you, rather than focusing on mileage or reps or whatever are very helpful.
    Reply
  • KATE September 22, 2023 · 12:25PM:
    I am local to Alexandria, and recommend the Buddie Ford Nature Center and the adjoining Holmes Run Trail - it's very kid-friendly but still secluded, woodsy, and beautiful!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 25, 2023 · 1:34PM:
      Awesome, thanks! Never heard of that spot before.
      Reply
  • Andrea September 23, 2023 · 1:05PM:
    Hi there! First time commenting, long-time reader! I love your lifestyle posts that document what you do in a day. As a new mom, I’d also like to read more about parenting - favorite toys/must-haves, juggling motherhood, household tasks, and work. And, I’d love to see what your kiddos are eating as I’m hoping to try baby led weaning with my little guy. Thanks for all you do!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      September 25, 2023 · 1:48PM:
      Thanks for reading, Andrea, and for these requests! Will add them to the list. And in the meantime, here are a few older blog posts you might be interested in checking out: Products I Recommend for New Babies and Baby Led Weaning Foods + Tips. You can find all my older motherhood related posts on my Motherhood specific page in case you want to peruse some of the others, too!
      Reply
  • Maura October 3, 2023 · 4:56PM:
    As a fellow Alexandrian, I’m going to bookmark this post for all the great fall hike ideas! I’ll contribute Mason Neck Park. There are a lot of bald eagles that nest there which is an exciting sight at the end of one of the trails. I love the posts you do about balancing being a mom of young kids with exercise, eating well and getting some of your own time. As a new mom (my kiddo is 10 months) it’s something I’m still figuring out. Thanks for all you provide!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      October 4, 2023 · 6:36PM:
      Thanks for reading, Maura! Will add Mason Neck Park to the list - thanks!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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