Late Autumn is the season of the harvest. This is the time that represents the reaping of all we've sown. It can be time to plant a new garden within ourselves. This is the time to get the house in order, turn on the heart and light the fireplaces. It is the time we want to stay in our pajamas with our blanket and a good book. Even though most of us can't do that, we can get the most out of these months as we get ourselves ready for the coming winter. As we move towards longer nights and colder weather we can cultivate a winter-hardy body and a full and joyful heart.
The diet of Autumn is designed around grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, raw or lightly steamed. The best vegetables at this time of year are root vegetables: Radishes, carrots, parsnips, beets, onions, garlic, turnips. Root vegetables are great heat producers. They start the body's fires burning to help keep us warm and grains will give you the deep physical foundation needed for cold weather. These are loaded with fiber that will keep your body clean and pure. Don't forget to drink at least 6 - 8 glasses of water a day. As your body rids itself of toxins you will feel more healthy, strong and vital than you have in years. This is the diet that will build a disease-resistance body.
AUTUMN ROOT ROAST
In a deep baking dish, cut up: carrots, parsnips, onions, garlic cloves
with the skin on, turnips. Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with
Kosher salt and fresh pepper. Cover with tin foil with some holes poked
in it and bake at 350 for 40 -45 minutes. Serve over brown rice, Kasha,
Cous Cous or barley. You can also sprinkle cooked lentils over it.
Linda's RICE AND BEANS
Sauté in a small amount of Canola oil 3 cloves of garlic, 1 large onion and 3 red peppers. Sauté until tender and add 1/2 can tomato paste, one can of black beans and already cooked brown rice.
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We need more rest at this time of year. If we followed our natural clock of this season we would go to sleep earlier and wake up later. Most of us need to be up and out at an early hour. However, we can get to bed earlier. A few weeks of this and you will be at the top of your game. Rest is very important in building a healthy strong body.
This is a good time to work on the spiritual principal of gratitude. Being grateful and speaking thanksgiving works are another sure way to improve your health and life situation from the inside out. Gratitude makes a full and joyful heart. It lifts depression and melancholy so that you will look with a new and more open vision. Gratitude refreshes as it makes in you a new spirit. Thoughts of gratitude show us how much has been given to us. The beauty and riches of the earth are all ours, the love of our friends and family overflows into our lives every day. We all have many blessings to be thankful for each day. As hard as it is, give thanks for your biggest challenges, for these are usually your biggest and best lessons. Gratitude brings us humility. It makes us feel prosperous, generous and satisfied. If you want to feel great and get more and more out of life, practicing gratitude is the best way to go. Your thoughts and feelings have so much to do with how your body performs. Being grateful acknowledges the presence of good in your life and this good becomes a magnet for more. More health, abundance, love, beauty. If you are feeling the presence of lack and limitation in your life begin now to be grateful for what you have. Look toward the positives in your life and you are sure to attract more. Begin today to be grateful for at least four things present in your life. Do this exercise daily for two weeks and see the difference in your life. |