Get Grounded... From The Ground

Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with — but she is nurturing and kind as well. It is only when we slow down and truly listen to Her that we grasp that wisdom.

Autumn arrives in colors — golds and reds and oranges swirling down like a quilt over the ground. The earth becomes a showcase, as if she is saying, “Look down. I have given you countless nutrients from the ground, waiting to nourish you for the months ahead.” Those leaves light the way to her gift.

Eat from the ground

Think of sweet potatoes, yams, and pumpkins — did you know pumpkin is thought to be an anti-aging food? These roots come straight from the earth, rich in nutrients and flavor, and they actually help quiet sweet cravings. A tray of roasted sweet potatoes is the easiest place to start.

Eating with the seasons lets us take in the particular bounty each one offers. We fill summer with salads and berries — but imagine a squirrel trying to live on cucumbers all winter. He wouldn’t. He needs more, and so do you.

This isn’t about bulking up. But it is no crime to gain a pound or two as the weather turns. Reach for healthy nuts like almonds — full of protein and good for lowering bad cholesterol. As the roots sink deeper, we are handed offering after offering.

A few fall foods to reach for

Several already have a recipe waiting in The Kitchen:

• Apples — baked with cinnamon and walnuts, autumn in a bowl.
• Chestnuts — roasted and warm, a true taste of the season.
• Pomegranates — jeweled seeds full of antioxidants to scatter over almost anything.
• Brussels sprouts — caramelized and crisp-edged, a side that wins people over.
• Kale — hearty and bright, lovely lightly sauteed with garlic and lemon.
• Ginger — warming and settling, wonderful in a cozy juice or tonic.

It is a privilege to coach so many women. When someone feels imbalanced, the first thing I look at is what her body needs for the season. As you move through the days of fall, let Mother Nature’s trail of leaves point you to the foods that fortify and ground you. Bon appétit.