In September, we enter the harvest season, a significant time when farmers gather the fruits of their labor from the fields. This month, we celebrate the abundance of produce that has thrived during the summer growing season. Communities come together to partake in festivals, farmers' markets, and local gatherings that revolve around the enjoyment of fresh, seasonal foods.

This season marks the culmination of months of hard work as crops are harvested across the country. Here are some fruits and vegetables you can enjoy fresh this September.

Apples. Come in a delightful range of flavors, from sweet to crisp. Some varieties are ideal for baking, while others are perfect for salads.

Peaches. Delicious, juicy stone fruit perfect for salads, desserts, baked goods, or smoothies.

Cabbages. This vegetable is incredibly versatile. Its mild flavor makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes.

Kale. Dark leafy green that's earthy and slightly bitter, excellent in soups, salads, and casseroles.

Eggplants. Large purple vegetable with an oblong shape and tough, shiny skin tastes best when roasted.

Peppers. Versatile ingredients for salsas, sauces, chili, soups, and meat dishes.

Blackberries. Typically dark purple or black, this juicy little fruit is delicious in sweets, jams, sauces, and savory dishes.

Broccoli. In season year-round, this cruciferous vegetable is at its best in autumn.

As the temperatures begin to drop and the days grow shorter, the September harvest showcases a vibrant array of flavors and colors, each more enticing than the last. This allows us to savor and prepare for the transition into the fall and winter months.

Positive Thinking Day, celebrated annually on September 13, highlights the benefits of maintaining a positive mindset. While it’s easy to fall into pessimism and cynicism, which can sometimes prepare us for the worst, excessive negativity can harm our emotional well-being.

Research shows that happiness and optimism can prolong life. On Positive Thinking Day, and every day, make an effort to see the bright side of every situation and maintain a positive attitude.

Start your day on a positive note. Smile, express gratitude, and say affirmations. Focus on positive statements about yourself and your circumstances.

Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time with coworkers who handle challenges well and seek friends who uplift and support you. A network of positive individuals can greatly enhance your own outlook and behavior.

Learn how to handle rejection. Handling rejection is a skill you can develop to maintain a positive outlook. Challenge yourself at work by seeking promotions or applying for your dream job, even if you lack some qualifications.

Put a smile on other people's faces. Aim to make someone smile each day—offer support to a friend in need, reconnect with a family member or surprise your coworkers with lunch. These small acts of kindness highlight the impact of your attitude and actions on others.

Don't expect results. Focus on taking action without expecting immediate results. Work towards your goals with the understanding that the outcome isn’t guaranteed. This approach helps you stay positive, even if you don't achieve the goal

Mental health is crucial for maintaining a positive attitude. If you struggle with negativity, seeking help from a professional can offer solutions and techniques for fostering positivity. A positive attitude can reduce stress, enhance coping skills, and potentially improve physical health.

September is an underrated gem for travel: the peak vacation season is over, crowds have thinned as kids return to school, and airfare, accommodations, and attractions are more affordable. It's the ideal time to explore places usually bustling with tourists and indulge in stunning natural beauty, luxurious hotels, outdoor activities, and perhaps a few extra glasses of wine. But where do you go?

Whether you're seeking vibrant fall foliage or popular attractions with fewer crowds than during the peak summer months, here are some ideas for you.

Maui, Hawaii The Aloha State stays warm year-round, but fall offers a chance to enjoy popular spots with fewer tourists and more reasonable lodging rates.

Big Sur Coast, California This breathtaking stretch of California coastline from Carmel to Cambria features jagged cliffs, crashing Pacific waves, misty rainforests, and adventurous drivers navigating the winding Highway 1. The stunning coastal scenery is unbeatable.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts  September's crisp fall weather, with average temperatures in the high 60s, is ideal for exploring museums and historical sites. The pleasant temperatures also make hiking Mount Greylock or Monument Mountain's trails enjoyable, providing an up-close look at the beautiful fall foliage that starts to appear.

Moab, Utah Just 5 miles north of town, Arches National Park offers excellent hiking, horseback riding, and canyoneering. Enjoy a scenic drive through the park or take advantage of the warm September temperatures (70s and 80s) for rafting, biking, and stargazing.

Door County, Wisconsin New England often steals the spotlight for fall foliage, but the Midwest boasts its own stunning displays. Door County in eastern Wisconsin is a particularly picturesque spot for leaf-peeping.

Visit these incredible destinations, which combine stunning natural beauty, rich cultural experiences, and thrilling outdoor adventures to create the ideal September getaway.

Labor Day is an important American holiday that is widely celebrated. For many people, it marks the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Even though it's a time for barbecues and poolside gatherings, Labor Day holds historical significance. So, what exactly is Labor Day, and why do we celebrate it?

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day is a proud annual celebration of the collective social and economic achievements of American workers. This holiday, dating back to the late nineteenth century, was born out of the advocacy of labor activists who sought to honor the significant contributions of workers to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being.

When Labor Day was established, it served as a powerful platform for unions to campaign for improvements in their working conditions. The eight-hour workday, a benefit many workers enjoy today, was one of the significant outcomes of these campaigns. Labor Day not only provided a space for workers to unite and voice their concerns but also for the nation to recognize and appreciate their invaluable contributions to society.

However, Labor Day also had a more radical political aspect. The Knights of Labor were challenging the capitalist or industrial system, seeing it as inherently exploitative. They highlighted the disparities and injustices it created, not only in wealth but also in power. Their aim was to secure a greater voice in society for working people.

Many of us work without needing a holiday to remind us of the challenges and rewards that come with it. But we rarely have the chance to reflect on why we work the way we do, and the sacrifices made to secure our current workers' rights. This is well worth remembering through Labor Day.

Living with depression is a challenge, and it's not something that can be easily switched off at will. It doesn't just go away with a simple command to "toughen up" or a fleeting moment of laughter in the day. During these enduring moments, it's important to find strategies to gradually alleviate the grip that depression holds over daily life.

Developing daily routines can provide structure and stability, which are important in overcoming depression. This creates a sense of control and accomplishment, contributing to improved overall mental well-being. The following information and suggestions will help you get started.

If you're experiencing depression, you might find that it suppresses your appetite and makes it common to skip meals. However, getting essential nutrients and energy is important, as they can greatly affect how you feel. If depression makes it hard to eat, consider using meal-replacement drinks with essential nutrients like superfoods, probiotics, protein, and carbohydrates.

The link between sleep and depression is strong, as insomnia often occurs with depressive conditions. A regular and healthy sleep routine, along with getting enough sleep each night, can greatly improve daily mood. Practicing good sleep habits can help ease depressive symptoms, enhance focus, reduce tension, and improve mood.

Different types of physical exercise release hormones that combat depressive symptoms. High-intensity activities like cardio and weightlifting release endorphins for immediate mood improvement. Lower-intensity aerobic exercises release neurotrophic factors, promoting long-term mood enhancement through increased brain activity.

Living with depression can be incredibly tough, and learning how to overcome it can often feel like taking baby steps, with occasional setbacks along the way. When life becomes overwhelming, it's important to allow yourself to take a step back and slow down.

A fluent English speaker should have a broad and extensive vocabulary. While grammar is important, the fundamental building blocks of any language are its words.

However, attempting to memorize the entire English dictionary in a single day is unrealistic. Instead, it is a gradual process of continuous learning and exposure. All it takes is the determination to learn just one new word each day.

Focusing on a single word daily, you can steadily and effectively expand your vocabulary over time. This approach allows you to fully absorb and understand the meaning, usage, and nuances of each word, making it easier to incorporate them into your everyday conversations and writing.

Keep a vocabulary notebook. Consolidate new words learned in one place, whether in a notebook or on a smartphone app. Establish a system for recording and regularly reviewing them to reinforce learning and ensure retention.

Don’t just learn the word alone. The best way to improve your vocabulary is to use new words in the right context. When expanding your English vocabulary, it's important to learn the prepositions and other words that often accompany these expressions.

Use the word in a sentence. Simply writing down a new word isn't enough; it takes practice to become familiar with it. It's important to actively use your new vocabulary by writing three or four of your own example sentences.

The beauty of learning a word a day is that it can be easily integrated into your daily routine, whether through reading, using language-learning apps, or engaging in conversations with others. It's not about adding a burden to your day but about making vocabulary learning a natural part of your daily life. Small, consistent efforts will lead to significant improvements in your language skills.