Click above to watch my VLOG – Transition to Fall with Ayurvedic Tips, or feel free to read the transcript below instead!
Transcript:
Note: The following is the output of transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
So many of us, depending on where we live, might be feeling a drastic transition right now. Ready for it or not we can feel the transition to fall. A lot of us can tend to get sick during the fall season. Our immunity can be very susceptible when it goes from very hot to very cold. So from an Ayurvedic standpoint, this is a very important time to take care of our immunity. And it’s important to shift certain practices from our diet and our lifestyle, to really enjoy the fall season.
FALL IS VATA SEASON
So first of all fall is known as the VATA season. There is a lot of air and a lot of movement. It is said to be the dominant element in the fall. It shifts from the fire element, being very dominant in the summer. So because of that our blood is said to move very aggressively and it’s really important that we hydrate and keep our bodies really protects.
During the transition to fall we want to focus on keeping ourselves calm and peaceful.
- It is a great time to meditate and go inward
- It is also a great time to work on grounding ourselves
- Practice self-massage to help the lymphatic system move along
- If it’s colder outside you will want to use a warming sesame oil
- If it’s still warm out, or you have sensitive skin you can get by with coconut oil
Focus on eating foods that will:
#1. Boost your immunity
- The summer (PITA SEASON) has gradually increased the body heat
- The fluids inside our bodies are slightly dehydrated, making our blood naturally moves with a bit of aggression.
- Our immunity tends to be in more of a critical state during VATA season.
#2. Hydrate your body
- People may notice that their skin feels dry and patchy.
- The VATA – wind energy – can get a hold of dryness – the lymphatic system dries up by VATA – so the skin will be sensitive and ready to break out.
So what should we think about eating during this time of year?
Enjoy the Fall Season Spices
During the transition to fall is also the time that we can shift our herbs and spices. What I love about Ayurveda is that it is very much a seasonal self-care practice where certain foods and spices that are good in one season can shift into new ones for another season.
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Coriander + Cardamom
- Corainger and cardamom are considered cooling spices that are preserving.
- They restrict the small capillaries that run under our skin so they don’t keep dilating and release fluids during the day.
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Fenugreek Seeds + Nutmeg + Fennel
- In this season people can get a little irritated because the blood tends to move more aggressively.
- Fenugreek seeds, nutmeg, and fennel will help keep you calm you and help you sleep better.
- Also, these will help with your gut health.
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Cumin
- Comin helps to purify the lymphatic system.
- If there is something aggravated because of the VATA (Driness), cumin can be very good to counterbalance
Enjoy the Fall Seasonal Produce
- Bitter Greens
- The bitterness from bitter greens is really cleansing and helps purify your blood
- Arugula, radish, chicory, broccoli
- Rooted Vegetables
- Rooted vegetables are very grounding and will help keep you calm with all the excessive wind in the air
- Beets, carrots, potatoes
- Pomegranates + Persimmons
- These fruits are great to help support your heart in fall. The heart can be more aggravated during this time of year due to the heat of the blood
- Squash
- They are astringent and slightly bitter
- Butternut + Kombucha
Transition to Fall with Warming Meals
This is the time to eat lots of soups and stews and warming vegetables. Our bodies natural gravitate to warming foods. In the summer we naturally increase raw foods, but fall is the season when it is a good time to make more warming & hydrating foods for dinner.
- Soups + Stews + Kitcheree
- Ginger
- Roasted squash garnished with a healthy fat like seeds or oils
Increase Healthy Fats & Incorporate Non-Aggravating Oils
- Sesame oil – is more warming – AVOID
- Avocados, coconut, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, nuts, etc.
- Healthy fats keep everything lubricated and will help rebalance the skin to take away any dryness
If you want to learn more about Ayurvedic practices we have some amazing podcasts with my teaching Dr. Jay. So you can check out there. I hope you take great care of yourself as we transition to fall Beauties. Get plenty of water, plenty of rest and plenty of good sleep. Honor this time. As the weather gets cooler its the time to really reflect, stay home and get cozy. You can try journaling to really go inward. It’s important that we honor the natural rhythms of our lives.
So I hope you really enjoy the fall season. I am sending you so much love! I will see you back here real soon. Make sure you check out more articles, to keep supporting yourself. Bye!
I will revisit this in a few months! 🙂 This is helpful! I never really know what’s in season. Living in this LA metropolis, where we can get everything all year long throws me off. I appreciate all of this research and info you give us!
Grateful!