As I dropped off my son for pre-school the other day, finally enjoying a moment to myself, I realized that I felt a bit off.
It’s no wonder. The “official” end of summer and start of fall is one of the most drastic transitions we experience throughout the year.
Days are noticeably shorter, kids are back in school, and the weather is shifting. Cooler days means the trees will soon be changing colors and letting go of their leaves to prepare for another winter.
And while I love fall, and all its beauty, I will admit, all this change has a way of throwing me off my game.
So, what’s a girl to do?
Here are five tips to keep your happiness alive this fall:
1. First, simply recognize that you and the world around you are in transition. Sometimes we get so caught up in the craziness of back-to-school or back-to-work that we don’t even realize that every other living thing is experiencing a whirlwind of change right now. So take a five minute break today to just reflect on all the change that’s happening. Then take a few deep breaths and know that everything will be ok. Because it will.
2. Get out in nature as much as possible. No matter how old or young you are, saying good-bye to summer can be tough. We are creatures of nature and we thrive on sunshine and being outside. So as the days start getting shorter and the air starts getting cooler, make a point to celebrate this time of year by getting outside and savouring the last few months of sunshine before winter comes.
3. Find something to ground you. Now more than ever you need to make sure you have a solid morning ritual in place. Practicing gratitude for five minutes each morning works wonders for keeping you feeling balanced and alive so you can enjoy the season. Combine this with getting out in nature and you’ll be stronger and more balanced than ever.
4. Don’t let your yoga practice or exercise routine slide. This time of year we can easily feel overwhelmed with all the projects, events, and other stuff we put off until fall. But skipping exercise will throw you off balance even more so schedule that first. I give you permission.
5. Eat grounding foods. While nature throws us for a loop this time a year, she also knows what’s best for us and she always delivers. Root vegetables and squashes that grow in or on the ground hold natural grounding energy within them. So eating these gems “in season” means nourishing yourself with the right foods, right now.
To get you started, check out this simple, savory veggie muffin recipe from my Bliss Cleanse program!
Mini Veggie Muffins
Ingredients:
1 cup veggies, grated or finely chopped (suggestions: carrots, zucchini, squash, peppers, onions)
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups quinoa or spelt flour
½ cup parsley, finely chopped
1 cup almond or rice milk
Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 ˚F.
2. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
3. Make a well, add eggs, veggies and parsley.
4. Mix lightly, gradually add milk. This is supposed to be lumpy so don’t work too hard!
5. Spoon into a mini muffin tray that is lightly oiled.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
7. Remove and allow to set for 10 minutes, then serve with coconut oil.
