Fall into Health

Our lifestyle and our digestion need a schedule for the vata season. Without it we can feel scattered and our bodies can feel dry, bloated, or constipated. If we are not careful, those comfort foods, not cooling the body from the summer months, and the drying effects of fall can take our bodies completely out of balance and set the body up for colds and flu’s.

The Steps to be “Fall-bu-lous” Healthy:

1. Eat end of summer fruits. They are loaded with fiber and clean out the intestinal tract. As we move into winter begin eating seasonal fruits. Look to your local farmer’s market for what is fresh and in season. Fresh apple juice (in moderation) can act as a seasonal mild natural laxative
2. Favor foods that are warm, heavy (not calorie heavy but naturally heavy).
3. Minimize foods that are cold, dry, light, and raw.
4. Eat plenty of warm vegetables and healthy oils.
5. Root vegetables come from the ground and keep us grounded.
6. Reduce dry snacks like crackers, pretzels, and vinegar chips. If you pack a snack eat nuts or juicy fruits.
7. Reduce ice cold drinks.
8. Favor foods that are sweet (this does not mean sugar!), sour, and salty-this does not mean to begin salting your foods. Canned and packaged foods are naturally higher in salt content.
9. Minimize foods that are too spicy, bitter, or astringent. These foods are lighter and colder and will increase the dryness in our bodies.
10. Eat your biggest meal of the day during lunch whenever possible. This increases our digestion and maximizes the nutrients to our body.

Super Solutions

• Write out a schedule and stick to it. In the fall we can get scattered (remember those dry and scattered leaves on the ground?). Plan your day- at least the big “boulders”. Plan your meals (and your snacks) to avoid the “fast food” rut. Staying on track reduces that vata stress. Use a grateful journal to remember the truly important things about your day.
• For those areas where sunlight is already starting to be reduced, take a break outdoors. 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine three times a week can generally produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D.  Take a walk, eat your lunch or sit outside when you can, to get as much natural sunlight as possible. If not, take a quality grade vitamin D.

Get Ready for feeling "FALL-BULOUS"!!