As the weather cools, rain sets in and the sky darkens I can’t help but to feel more grounded. I somehow take deeper breaths and give myself longer to do whatever it is that I’m doing. I find a reason to stay put rather than to get up and go. 

I am lingering longer, listening to slower music and definitely start to crave warmer foods. As the seasons change it’s so important to nourish ourselves properly. I love the idea of warming ourselves from the inside out. Hot tea, big soups and warm oatmeal. In Traditional Chinese Medicine they believe that eating with the seasons is a way to prevent illness. By aligning ourselves with the foods that are grown each season we are harmonizing our bodies with the flow of nature. It makes sense if you think about it – we are ingesting what is ready to be picked, what is grown right now. It’s a natural indicator of what our body needs – squash, root vegetables, dark leafy greens. 

In Summer there is this expansion, this free energy that’s roaming around us. The heat makes us want to get outside and explore. It encourages us to use our energy whereas when Fall rolls around there is this idea of contracting – of turning inward and bringing ourselves closer to our homes. In Toronto it’s been such a wild switch from Summer to Fall, a week ago it was 35 degrees Celsius and today it’s 13 and raining. When it happens so quickly our bodies have to play catch up and we have to do as much as we can to help them to prevent getting sick. By slowing ourselves down we are helping our bodies to adjust to the changing seasons. I’ve included a few of my favourite simple Fall recipes that are aligned with the 21 day HE+LJ. Try them if you’ve got the time and energy or just make a point of really nourishing yourself this next week. Try to keep yourself warm, physically and mentally. 

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“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall”

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FAVOURITE WARMING STEEL CUT OATS

Soak 1/3 cup of organic steel cut oats in water before you go to bed so they are ready for you to cook in the morning. 

Directions
Add 1/3 cup of organic steel cut oats to 1 cup water or home made almond milk and bring to a boil. Turn it down to simmer for 15-20 and stir so oats don’t stick to pot. When most liquid has absorbed into the oats, remove from heat. Add in ground flax seeds, chia seeds, nuts and cut up fruit ( apples, banana etc ). Sprinkle with cinnamon. 

FAVOURITE WARMING SOUP

Ingredients

3 Tbs organic vegetable oil of your choice
2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 inches of ginger root, peeled and sliced into slivers
1 cup cut up organic mushrooms
2 boxes organic chicken broth
2 cups water
1 bunch of kale or dark leafy green of choice, chopped
4 scallions cut up
1.5 pounds wild shrimp

Directions
Heat soup pot to medium – high. Add vegetable oil to pot and turn 3 times. Add in garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, mushrooms and dark leafy greens. Add liquid (chicken broth + water) and salt/pepper and turn to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to a simmer and add shrimp. Cook for 3 minutes. Add in cut up scallions and let sit for 3 more minutes. Add salt/pepper as needed. Serve and enjoy!

FAVOURITE APPLE SAUCE

Ingredients
5 apples
1 cup water
1/2 squeezed lemon
To taste any or all of the following: Cinnamon/Vanilla/Honey/Maple Syrup

Peel each of the apples and then core and slice them. Put them in a saucepan with one cup of water and half of a squeezed lemon and whatever else you think would be tasty. Put a lid on the pan and turn it up to high heat. Wait for it to boil because it won’t take very long. Give everything a good stir with a wooden spoon and then when it starts boiling turn it down to low heat. I like to let it sit on low for 15-20 minutes stirring every once and a while. This also helps to get rid of any chunky bits. If you prefer less chunky you can always put it in a blender/food processor once it’s done cooking – up to you!  If you prefer it more liquidly than thick then add 1 1/2 cup of water. The apples themselves have a ton of liquid in them so you don’t need to add much more than that in my opinion. 

You’ll also notice that I don’t add sugar. Once you add cinnamon and vanilla I think you’ll be pretty happy – if you’re craving sweetness try honey or maple sugar! 

LOVEFESTJOURNEY’S 5 FAVOURITE COZY FALL THINGS TO DO 

This is by far my favourite season. Anyone who knows me knows that I use the word cozy way too many times in general, but seriously, is there a better word to describe the Fall? I think I like it because it gives you an excuse to stay at home. An excuse to put on an extra big sweater, big warm socks and light candles all over the house. It just forces you to s l o w d o w n. Here are my 5 favourite things to do in my favourite season. 

1. HAVE A BATH, DRINK TEA, LISTEN TO MUSIC, LIGHT CANDLES, STAY AT HOME AND COOK ALL DAY LONG

2. GET BUNDLED UP, PICK UP A WARM DRINK AND GO FOR A LONG WALK WITH YOUR FAVOURITE PEOPLE  

3. GO APPLE PICKING, COME HOME AND MAKE AS MANY APPLE RELATED FOODS AS I CAN (Try my applesauce recipe above after you go out and pick your own apples)

4. HOST DINNER PARTIES ( To me there is nothing better than a cozy dinner party with friends in the Fall. Turn the lights down low, light the candles and gather everyone around a table – so much goodness will come of it ) 

5. NOURISH YOURSELF WITH ALONE TIME ( Sitting and breathing, having a nap, going for a walk, sit by a fire, go to a yoga class – I find everyone wants to get together in the Summer, in the Fall you have the perfect excuse to just stay put and do something for you. This is the perfect time to be doing the 21 day HE+LJ. Be selfish and give yourself whatever you need for the rest of the journey)