Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

It’s October and the year is flying by. However, this is all the more reason to remind ourselves to slow down, be present and enjoy all the seasonal pleasures that come along with the beautiful autumn season: falling leaves, the crisp in the morning air and the autumn colors that suggest change can be both beautiful and effortless if we let it. Now that the season has shifted, it’s important to also shift our foods. Colorful orange, red, green, yellow and brown fruits and vegetables will start showing up in our local markets and groceries for a reason. So, what is the concept of eating with the seasons and why is it important for optimal health? In this post, I’ll dive into the concept of seasonal eating, provide a grocery list for fall fruits and vegetables, as well as explain the nutritional concept–S.O.U.L.–founded by Dr. Ed Bauman.

Seasonal Eating

Seasonality refers to the time of year when the crop of a particular food or the flavor of a food is at its best. So although strawberries are an amazing fruit, their peak season is mid-summer, not fall. And the strawberries you find in the grocery during the winter are little to be desired. But, pick up a pear at the start of the fall season and all of a sudden the juices doth runneth! The best part about seasonal eating is you will find these seasonal foods to be both inexpensive and have the freshest flavor. Moreover, peak harvest time not only means the greatest flavor, but it also ensures you get the greatest nutrients the food offers. To be specific, by eating seasonally, this ensures the broadest range of nutrients required for optimal health. Yes, nature is indeed perfect in this way; it has perfectly orchestrated all the necessary vitamins and minerals to be obtained through the foods that happen to be growing fresh during the period.

So, what are the foods we should be eating during fall? Well, there are so many: sweet potato, pumpkin, parsnip, pears, squash, Brussels sprouts, pomegranate apples, turnips and kale, just to name a few! And isn’t it lovely these foods happen to match the colors of the crunchy, tumbling leaves? I love this! And, remember, the more variety you incorporate into your diet, the more diverese nutrients–vitamins and minerals–you obtain for optimal health.

Here is a complete list of fall foods:

Fall Fruits

Fall Vegetables

The fall season certainly doesn’t disappoint! In fact, there are so many options you may as well get started on meal planning. Let’s see…Sweet Potato Casserole, Collard and Kale Butternut Squash Stew, Baked Apples, Poached Pears, Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup, Kale and Pomegranate Salad…I could go on and on. But, it’s better just to show you, as I know your tastebuds will swiftly encourage you to shift your eating and welcome these mouthwatering foods. Here are a few examples of autumn dishes I have been working on lately. Prepare to inspire your seasonal palate:

Now that you know what you should be eating, here is one more tip for creating that divine balanced health we all desire:

S.O.U.L –> Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed and Local

This motto for healthy eating, will help you achieve all your health goals. When you gear your eating towards this standard, you can never go wrong and your body will most certainly thank you. Finally, don’t forget to take a pause and admire the coolness in the air, the scent of your pumpkin sweet potato mash cooking, and the earlier nightfall that comes with the autumn season. After all, earlier darkness=earlier bed time and one can never go wrong with a little more sleep and TLC. Happy Eating and Happy Fall!

In divine health,

Kristin

Sources:

How Stuff Works: Health. “Fall Vegetables Produce Guide.” Retrieved from   http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/natural-foods/fall-vegetables.htm

How Stuff Works: Health. “Fall Fruits Produce Guide.” Retrieved from    http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/natural-foods/fall-fruits.htm