Craving These Colors

As I was driving around the other day, it occurred to me that many of the colors I was seeing in the trees, bushes, and shrubbery were identical to those of the fall fruits and vegetables I had just prepared earlier that day.

We, as humans, were meant to eat according to the harvest seasons.  The availability in grocery stores of any food at any time is a recent phenomenon.  In the hot, humid days of summer, raw, cold foods such as strawberries, snow peas, and salad greens are cooling and energizing to keep us going during those long and active days.  However, when it is cold and dry outside, it is helpful to eat food that is warming and moist.  If we pay attention, nature provides us with the very foods we need to stay balanced and healthy in any given harvest season. 

In the fall and winter, we may experience ailments such as allergies, dry skin, depression, arthritis, etc due to the changing climate and shrinking days.  Many of the foods found in the same seasons help alleviate these conditions.

APPLES: contains Quercetin, which helps alleviate fall allergies, asthma, sneezing and congestion.  Apples clear the mucus that may harden during the winter and contribute to digestive issues.  They also help disperse heat that has accumulated in the body during the summer, which helps prepare us for the fall and winter.   

BRUSSELS SPROUTS: part of the cruciferous family (think broccoli and cauliflower).  They are good for the liver and full of protein.  Please be sure to cook them well, because they can be difficult to digest for some!

CINNAMON: in addition to being one of the best ways to keep your blood sugar steady, cinnamon makes a great arthritis remedy when mixed with honey.

CRANBERRIES: one of the richest sources of antioxidants, and they will help your immune system fight off fall colds and flu. 

PUMPKIN SEEDS: (a.k.a. Pepitas) were treasured by the Native Americans for dietary and medicinal properties.  They improve mood and increase serotonin levels, so have some when you feel the winter blues creeping up.  They are also a great source of Omega-3.  Try soaking at least 8 hours for easier digestion.

SQUASH: loaded with vitamins.  Leave the skin on varieties such as butternut and acorn when roasting for additional nutrients!

These are just a few examples of the abundant and delicious fall/winter harvest.  Take advantage of what nature has provided for us, and be healthier for it!