Feeling sluggish, fatigued, bloated, heavy, dull or stressed? There are so many valid reasons for us to hit the “reset button” at this time of year. When done properly, a fall reset boosts energy and metabolism, improves digestion, balances hormones and mood, promotes mental clarity and vibrant skin, reduces inflammation and re-establishes healthy eating practices. We don’t need to wait until spring to look and feel amazing!
Nutritional reset practices are simple. Essentially you are eating plant-based foods for a period of 3-30 days. The key to a successful fall reset is to incorporate warming foods and lifestyle practices.
Here are some ways you can do just that:
1. Soup’s On!
While salads, juices and smoothies are the foundation to spring cleansing , they may be too cool to be the main focus during a fall reset. Balancing these cooling foods with bone broth or vegetable broth based soups, steamed or cooked veggies is a great way to keep the body warm.
2. Greens and Roots
These seasonal comfort foods are jam packed with fiber and micro nutrients that support our natural bodily processes including energy production and detoxification. Be sure to incorporate dark greens everyday as well as winter wellness root veggies like beets, squash, sweet potato, carrots and parsnip.
3. Spice it Up!
Spices are a great way to rev up our inner fire while boosting metabolism! In ayurvedic cooking, chiles, black peppercorns, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, garlic, mustard seed and horseradish are considered warm spices. Try spicing up your dish with these warming wonders!
4. Herbal Infusion
Enjoy a cup or two or three of warming herbal tea each day. Ginger, chai spice, green tea or detox blends are some great choices. Or for a cozy treat, try a non-dairy turmeric golden latte!
5. Oils, oils everywhere
Adding organic, pure cooking oils such as avocado, sesame or almond to vegetables is a fantastic winter practice. Nourishing to our brain, nervous system and skin, these oils also help keep us warm. An ancient Ayurvedic practice called Abhyanga involves massaging high quality oils (you can use your cooking oils) into the skin for improved circulation, reduced joint pain and healthier, subtle skin.
6. Move It!
The more we move, the more efficient our body becomes at circulating and flushing out toxins. Gentle, low-intensity exercise such as yoga, stretching, dancing or walking is excellent for stimulating lymphatic drainage while higher-impact exercise is great for sweating out toxins and infusing the body with oxygen.
7. Hot Tub!
Take warm baths, or even long warm showers if a bath is not available. Add purifying essential oils like lemongrass, rosemary, lavender or eucalyptus. If you are feeling brave, consider the benefits of hydrotherapy by following your bath or shower with a brisk rinse in cold water. As counter-intuitive as this practice sounds it is traditionally used to invigorate the body, enhance circulation and drainage and boost immunity!
If you desire some guidance, education and inspiration, consider joining our 10 Day Fall Online Nutrition Reset beginning October 16th 2023. Registration deadline is October 10th!
Natasha Villeneuve, Holistic Nutritionist is the Lead and Educator of the Natural Food Pantry Education Initiative. Natasha is dedicated to educating, guiding and empowering people toward optimal health and well-being. Natasha's main focus and interest are in the areas of digestion, detoxification, mental health, and mindful eating.
