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A little inspiration for the month ahead. Seasonal foods, nourishing ingredients, routines, and simple ways to manage your health at this time of year.
What’s in Season - November
Flavors, comforting dishes and some lifestyle recommendations for this time of year.
November is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, get cozy, and be more intentional about how we're nourishing and caring for ourselves.
What's on the seasonal menu?
Think warm foods. The body is a warm place and functions best when kept warm, so especially in this season it is important to create optimal conditions for the body.
This time of year is full of hearty, nutrient dense foods that are perfect for warming meals and comforting recipes. Think sweet potatoes, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, cabbage, kale, collard greens, apples, pears, and cranberries. These seasonal favorites offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber to support overall health. Incorporate lots of roasted vegetables, homemade soups, and warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric into your meals.
With daylight saving time behind us, our bodies may need a little time to adjust to the change in light and routine. Shorter days and less natural sunlight can influence our sleep-wake cycles, energy levels, and mood.
Here are a few simple habits that can ease you into November
Expose yourself to natural light everyday
Morning sunlight helps reinforce your body's internal clock. Aim for 20-30 minutes of unadulterated sunshine during the day. Sunrise and sunset are the best times but any day light is better than none.
If you find it hard to get natural light because of your schedule consider getting a red light to fill in the gaps. Hooga is an excellent brand, the one I trust and they have a wide variety of options from small to large. Use my link and get 8% off!
Keep a consistent sleep schedule
Wake up and go to bed around the same time each day, even on the weekends. When it gets darker earlier it may feel like we have extra time at first but it’s important to get in the bed at the same time even if you are laying there reading ( not scrolling!)
Keep moving
It’s a use it or lose it scenario when it comes to body as a whole. In the cooler month its important to promote warmth and circulation as often as possible in the body. Taking walks after dinner helps regulate your blood sugar, and prioritizing warming foods over cool ones fosters the best environment for your internal body.
Prioritize nourishing meals
Include protein, fiber-rich vegetables, healthy fats, and seasonal ingredients to help keep you satisfied and support your nutritional needs.
Make room for rest
This is a good time to reassess your routines, reduce unnecessary stress, and give yourself permission to slow down when you need it.
One of my favorite Autumn Recipes! Perfect for brunch, super rich and dense.
It’s Butternut Squash season! This soup is one of my absolute favorites. Perfect addition when you know you might be indulging a bit this month. One of my favorite night before Thanksgiving meals.
In case you need a recipe for the World’s Best Turkey (not my words someone else’s haha)
Whether you are preparing for a Thanksgiving get together or not, you can never go wrong cooking a whole turkey. They are in season now so they are much less expensive than they usually are and there is just nothing like the smell of having a turkey cooking in your home. Turkey is so versatile too the possibilities are endless! You can freeze it for several months so it’s a great way to have something on hand and can feed a family for weeks.
Take some time to give gratitude for often overlooked things. Take a leaf walk and see how many different shades you can find, carry them with you, feel the crunchiness under your feet.
Give yourself space to take in G-d’s beautiful creation.
Wishing you ongoing wellbeing & managed health,
