Living in rhythm with autumn

"Autumn is the season of harvest, a time to pull inward and gather together on all levels, a time to store up fuel, food, warm clothing, a time to study and plan for the approaching stillness of winter."

-Paul Pitchford, Healing with whole foods, 3rd edition

As we say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn, here are some positive and simple actions you can take to connect with the new season and the flow of the Earth's cycle. This is something which is viewed by many ancient civilisations as vital to the wellbeing of humans. So here it is!

TIPS FOR AUTUMN LIVING:

As the weather becomes cooler, it is time to gaze inwards and create inner balance. It's a time to nurture the body and attend to any health issues; so take time to look after yourself and listen to your body's warning signs.
Autumn is a time to discover your purpose in life. Take time to find balance between your needs and commitments. Are all of your commitments necessary and adding value to your life?
As the leaves on the trees start to fall, so too can old and unhealthy habits. There are many myths about how long it takes to form a new habit....21 days, 28 days, even up to 245 days! The key to making new and healthy habits stick is by making them positive actions and something you want to do. Try to avoid making habits with negative connotations. Another tip is to make them realistic. Start with smaller achievable changes and when you achieve them, your confidence will lead to you explore more positive and healthy changes.
We have had some beautiful fresh autumn days lately. When we have these crisp autumn days, it is the perfect time to embrace long country walks and soak up the fresh air. Notice all of the beautiful colours autumn has to offer to keep you totally present and in the moment.

TIPS FOR AUTUMN COOKING:

Start to introduce heartier flavours and foods with warmer fragrances.
Cook foods at a lower heat and for longer periods to really embrace the fragrances.
Baked and sautéed foods such as organic meats and sweet potatoes are said to thicken the blood and keep you warm for the cooler weather (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine).
Add some sour flavoured foods sourdough bread, olives, leeks, aduki beans, cheese, yoghurt. (Be cautious as small amounts of sour foods have a strong effect on the body).
Eat protein based foods; organic meats, tofu, legumes, soups & stews abundant in pumpkin, sweet potatoes & carrots