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The weather is cooler, and we want to get out and enjoy as much of the fall weather as much as we can.

Staying active can make you feel better. It helps your blood pressure and your blood glucose, and burns calories. Here are some ways that you can be active:

• Make a maze in the leaves. Buy a child size plastic rake so your kids can help you create a maze. Then when they are done playing in the maze, they can help rake the leaves into piles. Let the kids enjoy jumping in the piles of leaves. Surprise them and jump in with them. Children of all ages enjoy it when parents and grandparents join in the fun, even if it is met with groaning and rolling of the eyes.

• Go for a family bike ride adventure. Search online for family friendly bike trails in the area. If there is not one convenient for you search for bike rounds in the neighborhoods. While on your bike ride be sure to take time for breaks and enjoy the changes of fall going on around you.

• Go on a scavenger hunt. A scavenger hunt could be done in your yard, neighborhood or park. Create a list or look for one on-line. Here are some items that could be included on your fall scavenger hunt: spider webs, dandelions, a red leaf, twig, rock, flower, acorn, something rough, something round and something smooth.

• Cook together. Fall is the time you may want to get in the kitchen to cook and bake fall foods. Preparing food together requires energy. Children of all ages can play a role in preparing recipes. Below is a fall recipe to try:

Mini-Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Muffins1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup quick oats

¾ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 egg, slightly beaten.

1 cup canned pumpkin puree.

¾ cup low-fat milk

1/3 cup oil

¼ cup quick oats (for topping)

1 Tablespoon brown sugar (for topping)

1 Tablespoon melted margarine or butter (for topping)

1/8 teaspoon pumpkin spice (for topping)

Wash your hands with soap and water. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray or use mini-muffin liners.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, quick oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.

In a small bowl combine egg and pumpkin, milk, and oil. Mix well.

Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just moistening. Fill muffin cups two-thirds full.

Mix topping ingredients. Sprinkle topping evenly over muffins. Bake mini muffins at 400 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes, or until evenly browned. Bake regular sized muffins for 15 to 18 minutes.

Nutrition Facts: 1 muffin: Calories: 69; Total Fat: 2.4 g.; Carbohydrates 11 g.

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