Peacefully flowing into fall

I have to admit that I resist flowing into fall. For as long as I can remember, at the end of the summer, I’ve been sad to see summer end. Summer has always been my favorite season. I celebrate my birthday at the beginning of summer. Spending day and/or night at the beach in summertime brings me true joy. I have also enjoyed the slower pace that summertime brings. Some people dislike the hot temperatures of the summer. But compared to the cold weather, I’ve always enjoyed the warmer temperatures of the summer. It’s no wonder I’ve resisted the transition from summer to fall.

For the past several years, I’ve decided to FLOW INTO FALL, and it’s been a lesson of acceptance. I accept that I live in New York, where we have four seasons. And those four seasons will always come – no matter how wonderful the summer season was, the cooler fall weather always follows. Then the colder (often frigid) weather of winter will follow. No matter how cold (and it feels like we live in Alaska) the winter is, spring will always come.

Transition

• Do you resist the end of summer and the beginning of fall?

• Do you resist the transition from the slower pace of summer to the faster pace of fall?

• How will you Flow into Fall?

DoYouYoga.com suggests that there is a real shift that occurs in the beginner of Fall.

1. Find your Balance

2. Calm your Mind

3. Nurish the Body

Fall is the perfect time to begin or get back to a regular exercise routine. And Yoga is a wonderful way to help you ease into the shift from summer to fall.

1. Yoga works your balance in every pose. Especially the balance in the mind and in the physical body. Practicing poses like Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Dancer Pose (Natarajasana), and Half-Moon Pose (Adra Chandrasana) aid in working with your balance while connecting to the earth.

2. Using pranayama, like alternate nostril breathing ( see my YouTube video: https://tinyurl.com/PeacefulYoga on how to do alternate nostril breathing) to taking a Mindful Minute (see my toolbox for directions https://peacefulyoga.net/product/yoga-mindfulness-and-meditation-tool-box/) can help calm the Mind. Daily Meditation is also a wonderful tool to help calm the mind. ( see my YouTube channel for mediations)

3. Shifting the foods we eat in the fall can be a challenge. Finding the fruits and vegetables that are in season is a delicious way to nourish the body in the fall. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, “Eating with the seasons just makes sense. It’s the most delicious and healthiest way to live. Examples of some Fall Fruits and Vegetables are: Apples, Bananas, Carrots, Beets, Parsnips, Sweet Potato/Yams, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Cabbage, Pineapple, Pumpkin, Cranberries.

4. Try this delicious recipe for Pumpkin Bread from Very Best Baking.

Gift-Giving Pumpkin Cranberry Breads 

Estimated Times: Preparation – 15 min | Cooking – 1 hrs 15 min | Yields – 4 loaves

Surprise your friends and family with this wonderful gift from your very own kitchen. 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour 

• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking soda 

• 1 tablespoon salt 

• 6 cups granulated sugar 

• 1 can (29 oz.) Pumpkin Pure

• 8 large eggs 

• 2 cups vegetable oil 

• 1 cup orange juice or water 

• 2 cups sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberries

Directions: PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease and flour four 9 x 5-inch disposable loaf pans. 

COMBINE flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in an extra-large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil, and juice in a large bowl with a wire whisk; mix until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir until just moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon 4 cups of batter into each prepared loaf pan. 

BAKE for 75 to 80 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks. Once completely cooled, wrap pans with colored plastic wrap. Decorate with ribbon.

“The body heals eight times faster when you exercise regularly” – Kris Carr