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Garden Fresh: Winter is Coming

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Fall is in full force and that means winter is right around the corner. This is my favorite time of the year in the south because the temperatures drop just enough to make life more enjoyable than it already is.

 

Root vegetables are everywhere, apples are crispier than ever, and it seems like everyone’s smiling as they prepare for the holidays. Yes, fall is my favorite season.

 

People associate cooler temperatures with heavier foods and more time laying around. The truth is that as the seasons change so does the food we consume, and that’s great. If we eat seasonally, we’re giving our bodies the freshest food available. Forget about the calories and focus on nutrition. When we eat what’s naturally available throughout the year, we’ll be giving our bodies a very wide range of vitamins and minerals, so it’s good to switch things up.

 

Now beware of all the heavy casseroles and cakes. It’s good for the soul to indulge on special occasions, but if you do too much of that, you may regret it once January rolls around.

 

Here are some tips that you can include during the next couple of months to enjoy the festivities in a healthy and happy way:

 

  1. Remember that the foods you eat directly affect your mood. If you’re eating heavy, fatty meals every day, that’ll probably take a toll on your demeanor and can make you cranky. Again, it’s ok to indulge if you’re at a party or get-together, but limit your alcohol and/or sugar and/or unhealthy fatty meals to once a week.
  2. Don’t be scared to load up on pumpkin, potatoes, and root vegetables. Even though these are heavier than what we consume the rest of the year, they’re packed with essential vitamins. Remember that when we eat seasonally, our bodies are in harmony with the earth.
  3. Move! It may be super cold outside, or even snowing, where you live, but this is not a reason to lay around watching television. By simply exercising 4 times a week for 30 minutes, you’ll be adding years to your life. This is great for your body but also for your spirit. When we sweat, our brains release endorphins. This makes us feel happy boosting our mood and immune system; plus, it’ll help us maintain a healthy weight.
  4. Don’t stress out if you gain a couple extra pounds. This is normal during this time of the year, but definitely don’t go overboard. The goal for the next few months should be to stay around the same weight, not to lose those extra pounds.
  5. Give thanks. Practicing gratitude has been proven to improve our mood. Keep a journal where you write the things you’re thankful for each day, before a meal tell everyone sitting on the table one thing you’re thankful for, pray, meditate… do whatever serves you, but give thanks every day!

 

Now bundle up, and have some fun!

Claudia Deen - Founder, The Trendy Smoothie Claudia Deen is a Certified Health Coach based in Savannah, GA, and the founder of The Trendy Smoothie. Claudia is a brown belt in karate, thirteen-time half-marathon finisher, seven-time marathon finisher, and two-time Ironman 70.3 finisher. After a career in advertising, her passion for fitness and fresh eating led to a career centered on helping others achieve a healthier lifestyle. In 2013, Claudia married Paula’s son, Bobby. You can follow Claudia on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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