Seasons change and so do I. Isn't that a song lyric? Okay, let's not read too much into this, but I love the change of seasons and this song just came to mind.
We’re about two weeks into the season of fall, or autumn, if you prefer. For me, having four unique seasons is a benefit to where I live. I enjoy each season for what it offers as well as the transitions from one to the next. How about you? Some people really enjoy all seasons, while others have a preference and wish it were warm all the time, or snowy every day. And some suffer from seasonal allergies, or perhaps Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, a perfect acronym) in winter, which effects how they feel about the seasons.
One of my favorite things to talk about and teach as a health coach is eating with the seasons, and do this especially during the new growth of spring, the abundance of the summer, and the harvest of long growing or second growth plants in the fall.
In fall, along with picking pumpkins, cooking differently, transitioning the garden plants, and doing the fall clean up, my business transitions too.
This time of year is like a second new-year or beginning, an idea that solidified with me after working for a weight loss company and noticing this trend. It literally was the second busiest time of year. Summer is over and people get back to their “regular” routines looking to lose those few summer ice cream and vacation pounds. In general though, business slows down a bit during the summer when people take vacation. In fall, school is back in session, vacation is over, and most of us are back to working hard and getting things done.
It’s not so different for me either. As a health coach, my talks, workshops, and group programs really gear up again in the fall, as well as more 1:1 coaching because clients are back from vacation and in a regular routine again. My talks and workshops during this time include topics such as “Harvest Your Natural Energy”, “5 Simple Strategies for Managing the Holidays”, or “Holiday Survival Tips”.
Each Fall I also run a 5-Day whole-food challenge that is very specific to the season. It’s a program done virtually that anyone can join and comes with a Program Guide, Cookbook, and support from two health coaches, myself and another colleague. Ah, the benefits of the Internet. It’s based on the principles of eating with the seasons, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophy during fall. If you are not familiar with TCM, it doesn’t look at the macronutrients of foods as many of us do, but rather the qualities and energy of specific foods and how they help the body during different seasons. The foods used in this program help transition the body from summer to fall with a change from cooling foods to warming foods, and use specific pungent and fermented foods that help with the flow of energy at this time of the year. The methods of cooking such as steaming, grilling, and raw during the summer transition now to slower cooking, roasting, and baking for fall. Along with specific foods and cooking methods for good health during the fall, the program also recommends lifestyle tips to help support the lungs and throat such as deep breathing, wearing a scarf, and an inward practice of “letting go” of whatever is not serving you now.
If you typically suffer with the change of seasons this time of year whether that be with allergies, colds, flu, or emotionally, learning some of these program concepts might really help change your relationship with the season!
Thanks for reading and joining me as we move into fall. If you have any questions about what you read, please let me know. I’d love to have your comments and I hope you enjoy the season!