As the winds turn colder and darkness settles in a little earlier each evening, this time of year can feel a little dreary. On gloomy late-fall days, you might need a little pick-me-up to bring a little pep to your step.

A dash of cumin, a sprinkle of thyme, a shake of oregano and suddenly the kitchen is filled with mouth-watering scents. Layers of aroma transport you back in time to standing on a stool as a little one to reach the countertops and be the one to add in the secret ingredient—that special blend of herbs and spices that makes food come alive.

Roasted, toasted, and turned into butter — by the handful, or by a jar, there are oodles of varieties and ways to enjoy nuts. A handful of crunchy roasted almonds, or walnuts sprinkled over a bowl of oatmeal, a peanut butter sandwich, or trail mix to fuel your adventures.

There’s a transportive power to the sweet juiciness of a perfectly ripe mango; with every bite you’re whisked away to a beach under swaying palm trees, basking in the warm golden sun.

Ah, summertime. The sun is shining, and the barbeque is ablaze with meals to be shared with friends and loved ones. It just doesn’t get better than a rainbow of veggies, meats, and sweet tangy sauce, kabobbed and grilled to perfection. The perfect BBQ companion filled with vitamins A, C, potassium, and fiber? Summer squash!

It was August 2015; the leafy red romaine glistened under magenta light.

Chinese gooseberry, hairy berry, monkey peach, kiwifruit. These fuzzy brown and green fruits have been called by many-a-name, but by any name they are just as tangy-sweet. Kiwifruit grows on vines that hang along trellises which form a canopy blanketing the sky with shoots of bright green leaves and clusters of fruit.

Oats have a reputation for being, well… a little boring. Humble as they may be though, humans have a love for oats. From oatmeal to oat milk, cookies, oat baths, and cereals, savory or sweet, oats will be there. Perhaps one of our most diverse and ubiquitous foods, this whole grain brings a nutritious and satiating goodness to our diets.