Our blog post this week is from Sandra Pallotta of Nutritional Hip. Sandra is a new member to WBOC and we welcome her to our organization. You can reach Sandra at 315-682-5538 or email at nutritionallyhip@yahoo.com
When we think of fall, our mind turns to leaves changing color, cooler days, hardier foods and heavier, darker colored clothing to keep us warm. There is a reason for this. Just like nature knows exactly what to do to balance itself so do our bodies. The body is amazing and has an inept way of knowing exactly what it needs. The problem lies with the fact that somehow we have lost the ability to listen to what our bodies are telling us. Most of us have very active, fast paced lives. We work all day and then go home to our second job which is taking care of our families and home life. Time is limited so we turn to a quick fix for dinner which is usually some type of fast food that may come from a restaurant, frozen box, or delivery man. Poor food choices eventually pay a toll on our well being due to their chemical additives and lack of nutrients which can cause added stress, sleep disturbances, hormone unbalance, lack of energy and increased cravings, all cries of help from a body fighting to create balance.
You only have one body and it is your vessel for life. Treating it kindly or poorly will have a direct result on what it will return. Recreating balance to your life is essential to good health. Some ways to redirect your path are:
Eating for the season – Fall brings a harvest of root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, beets and onions, and when added to our diet help to ground us and bring balance this time of year. Other seasonal foods to include are squash, kale, nuts and of course apples from all of wonderful local orchards in our area. When cooking, make more stews, sautés, and soups that add warmth and comfort. Steer clear of raw foods and colder dishes during the fall season.
Prioritize – With a little planning you can make health your number one priority. Plan a week’s worth of healthy dinners for your family. There are many fall recipes that you can include that take less than 30 minutes to prepare. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_fall_recipes This is less time than it would take you to drive to your favorite fast food restaurant and back. Making a list of all ingredients you need for the week and grocery shopping once will cut down on wasted time. Also, in the summer season we tend to push projects off until the fall which can leave us feeling overwhelmed when trying to tackle them. Learning to delegate responsibilities to other family members enables you to break tasks down into smaller chunks making them more manageable. Learn to say no to things that are not a priority and you do not have time for. Taking on unnecessary commitments can create stress and drain your energy.
Slowing down – Take time to slow your pace down. When you are feeling stressed take a few moments to take a few deep breaths. Deep breathing techniques supply oxygen to the brain, and sooth your nervous system leaving you feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated. The crisp fall air is perfect for getting outside and taking a long walk. This will also help you to clear your mind and enjoying the fall foliage bonds you with nature and has a grounding affect.
Relaxation time – In order to create balance the body must be nurtured. Set aside time this fall that is totally devoted to something that brings enjoyment. Whether it’s a forgotten hobby that you once loved, raking a pile of leaves and then jumping in them with your kids, apple picking, fall hikes through our beautiful CNY parks, hay rides with a loved one or catching up with friends, whatever it is that soothes your soul, make it a priority. Schedule it into your appointment book the way you would all of your other commitments that way you have no excuses for not following through.
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