Autumn Foods That Naturally Ground You

Autumn has arrived, and the busy Fall season is upon us. Does your out-of-control Fall schedule feel like it’s controlling you?  Believe it or not, nature knows this.  It knows how crazy this time of year gets and exactly what we need to find our way back to peace.  During the Fall season, many grounding foods become available so take advantage of their benefits!  These foods can ground us and help us to re-balance when we are feeling out of control.  Here are a few of my favorites:
 
Pumpkin and squash – These are two traditional autumn foods, but they’re also exactly what we should be eating to ground ourselves. When you want some sweetness in your meal, these are an ideal way to achieve that. So, pick up your favorite variety of squash or use that pumpkin you are carving for Halloween to create a seasonal dish and take advantage of the healthy benefits and grounded feeling while enjoying a delicious taste of Fall.
 
Root vegetables – Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips, garlic, and ginger add wonderful flavor to your meal and will make you feel rooted and grounded.  Interesting how that works, right?  Foods that grow as roots in the ground are naturally rooting and grounding to us.  Nature really is amazing. 
 
Add on the proteins – Finding healthy, high-quality protein sources will be of benefit to you this time of year.  Proteins that come from high-quality foods give you the nutrients you need to build strong muscle while also feeling more grounded. We tend to crave more substantial meals this time of year due to their grounding effect.  Hearty stews and soups are among the most popular food items this season, so indulge in the comfort foods that satisfy. 
 
Aside from eating grounding foods, there are other ways you can enjoy feeling grounded.  Did you know that just being in nature has a natural grounding effect -- so walk outside as often as possible to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the colorful scenery.  Breathing exercises help you feel more grounded, so focus on your breathing throughout the day and take note if you're breathing freely or holding your breath often.  When you notice you're holding your breath, take a moment to practice slow, deep breaths to calm yourself.    

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Sara Wolfsen is a Certified Health Coach who specializes in helping people make their own healthy changes by providing private health coaching, nutrition education and wellness classes, and gentle weight-loss guidance and support.  Schedule your complimentary coaching session and learn more online at www.sarawolfsen.com.