Foodie Friday: Welcoming Fall

Analiese is a writer, yogini, and aspiring organic chef, based in the Washington, DC area.  She writes about food, wellness, and creativity on her blog, Tulips & Tea.

Bonjour and welcome to the first week of fall!
Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons: beautifully crisp weather, vividly colored leaves, cozy sweaters and scarves...just to name a few. The beginning of fall also offers an opportunity to explore new seasonal flavors and to align our eating with the subtle shifts in energy taking place in our bodies and the world around us.  Grab a pumpkin spiced latte (or make your own!), and join me in embracing the season's possibilities - starting with the food on our plates.

Seasonal Ingredients
Now is the time to incorporate some seasonal fall foods into your cooking or baking repertoire.  For much of the continental U.S., that means apples, squashes, pumpkins (which are actually a type of squash), and sweet potatoes, plus root vegetables like turnips, parsnips, carrots, beets, and rutabagas.  Find out what's in season where you live, and experiment with creative recipes that feature your fall ingredient of choice.

The Yin of It  
Autumn is a time of transition, not only for the earth, but for our bodies as well.  As the yang of the hot summer months gives way to the yin of cooler fall months, we may naturally begin to move at a slower pace and experience a sense of our energy turning inward as we prepare for the arrival of winter.  It's important to honor this shift and harmonize our eating patterns accordingly.  Try eating warmer, cooked dishes (and conversely, cut back on cold and raw foods); consuming hearty, nourishing meals like soup and stew; and adding warming spices to your food preparation (think cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, etc.).

Hydration Matters
Your Sigg was probably in heavy rotation during the hot and humid summer months; however, it's just as important to stay hydrated during the fall.  In fact, autumn, in particular, is a time of dryness and the lack of moisture can stress our bodies if we don't refill the well.  Sip plenty of H2O (preferably warm or room temperature instead of ice-cold), herbal tea, and freshly pressed vegetable juices to keep your body hydrated and your skin glowing all season long!

Wishing you a wonderful start to the season!


Photo by Analiese