Autumn Foods That Ground You
Autumn has arrived, and the busy back-to-school season that's quickly met with the hustle and bustle of the holidays is among us. If you're anything like me, this last part of the year flies by in a wink. Because of this, it can feel like a time where your out of control schedule is controlling you. You're pulled in many different directions, and you just want to sit down for a second to catch a break.
One of the beautiful things about nature is that it knows. It knows how insane this time of year gets and exactly what we need to find our way back to what we need from nature. So many grounding foods become available this season, and it's of our highest benefit to take advantage of them. These foods can ground us and help us to re-balance when we are feeling out of control.
Here are a few of my favorites…
Pumpkin and squash
These are two traditional autumn foods, but they’re also exactly what we should be eating to ground ourselves. When you want some sweetness in your meal, these are the ideal way to achieve that and a much better alternative to chemical-laden artificially sweetened items. So, use that pumpkin you carved out for Halloween to create a healthy meal with the next day, you will feel oh so healthy and grounded while enjoying a delicious pumpkin dish.
Root vegetables
Vegetables that fall into this category are sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips, garlic, and ginger. They add some great flavor to your meal and will make you feel rooted and grounded. Interesting how that works, right? Foods that grow as roots in the ground are naturally rooting and grounding to us. Nature is amazing.
Naturally Fermented Foods
Raw sauerkraut is perfect to add some sourness to your autumn meals, while also strengthening your gut health. Fermented foods don’t only make your meals taste great and assist with grounding you, but they also act as prebiotics and feed all the good bacteria in your gut. Some other naturally fermented food items include kimchi, kefir, kombucha, and pickles, to name a few.
Finding healthy, high-quality protein sources will be of benefit to you this time of year. Proteins that come from high-quality foods give you the nutrients you need to build strong muscle while also feeling more grounded. We tend to crave more substantial meals this time of year due to their grounding effect. Hearty stews and soups are among the most popular food items this season, and that’s exactly why. Are there any plant-based proteins you have meant to experiment with in the kitchen? Now is a perfect time to be adventurous and try something new.
Don't pass up these delicious autumn foods that are not only enjoyable but beneficial to us in many ways. Aside from eating foods that naturally ground you, there are other ways you can enjoy feeling grounded. Being in nature has a natural grounding effect -- so take a walk outside as often as possible to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the colorful scenery. Breathing exercises help with feeling more grounded, so focus on your breathing throughout the day and take note on if you're breathing freely or holding your breath often. When you notice you're holding your breath, take a moment to practice a short breathing exercise.
Do you struggle with feeling grounded on most days? I know I do. It is so easy to become overwhelmed and stressed, with work, family, or just life in general. If I'm home I will take a second breathe, then whip up a cup of chai tea w/ autumn spices (see my recipe below)
If I am away, then I'll breathe even deeper and do some visualization: Try to imagine roots coming from the bottom of your feet into the ground to firmly tie you to the core of the earth. Feel the energy coming up from the earth into your body with any excess flowing back down into the earth. As the energy flows beneath the ground your worries move with it.
No Stress Uplifting Chai:
1 Tbsp Holy basil (Tulsi)
1/2 cup almond milk
1 cup water
1-2 Tbsp (Any Chai Mix): I prefer blends with cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and star anise.
1 vanilla pod.
In a medium saucepan bring water, milk, and spices to boil. Then let steep for 5 minutes. Strain and top with a little cinnamon.
Holy Basil or "Tulsi" is an important adaptogenic herb that helps the mind adapt to incoming stressors. Chai is spicy, mildly stimulating and balancing
Enjoy!
In what ways will you keep yourself grounded this season? I want to know, leave a comment below :-)
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