Prepairing your Body Mind and Soul for Winter

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

If you are like me winter can be a time that many people go on a downward spiral of stopping in gaining weight and feeling depressed it has been prove that some people suffer SAD disorder. SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder makes people feel depressed and fed all the way up until the weather starts to pick up again. This due to the early drawn darkness and the feeling like the day has never actually lasted that long. Make sure you eat plenty of Fish for Vitamin D as we will not be sitting in the sun for the next 6 months. If you are Vegan,Vegetarian sources of vitamin D in fortified soymilk, fortified rice milk, and some fortified breakfast cereals you also may want to take vitamin D supplements.

To prevent getting caught in this trap you need to prepare yourself for winter.

Go shopping:

The shops have some beautiful trendy and fashionable clothes to brighten up your mood, with purples, navy's, blues, greens and rich warm berries and reds. It is proven that feeling good on the outside makes you feel fantastic in the inside. Knee high flat boots, bright tights and a woolly jumper are great for walking and enjoying the sights of the changing forest and greenery that once was.

Eat Out:

Use winter to try out new Healthy restaurants! People do often gain weight as it is much less noticeable hid under those thick layers topped by a heavy coat. To stay trim exercise in your spare time, and make healthier food choices

Bake:

Buy a brand new Vegan Vegetarian cook books and experiment with some new recipes; invite friends and family around to try them out. Include the whole family and have baking competitions. Make a three course meals all from scratch using winter fruits and vegetables.

In list in new hobbies:

Use the quiet way of life to go on long walks and experience the outdoors. In the snow take the children and dogs out and enjoy sometime making snowmen and walking in the white wonderland. I have been taking ZUMBA classes they are so much fun!!!!

Food Focus: Root Vegetables

The roots of any plant are its anchor and foundation; they are the essential parts that support and nourish the plant. Root vegetables lend these properties to us when we eat them, making us feel physically and mentally grounded and rooted, increasing our stability, stamina and endurance. Roots are a rich source of nutritious complex carbohydrates, providing a steady source of necessary sugars to the body. Instead of upsetting blood sugar levels like refined sweet foods, they regulate them. Since they absorb, assimilate and supply plants with vital nutrients, roots likewise increase absorption and assimilation in our digestive tracts. Long roots, like burdock, carrots, parsnips and daikon radish, are excellent blood purifiers and can help improve circulation in the body and increase mental clarity. Round roots, like turnips, radishes, beets and rutabagas, are nourishing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and can help regulate blood sugar and moods, and alleviate cravings.

Recipe of the Month: Roasted Root Vegetables

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25-35 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato

2 parsnips

2 carrots

2 turnips or 1 large rutabaga

1 daikon radish (or substitute/add in your favorites, like squash)

olive oil

salt and pepper

herbs: rosemary, thyme or sage (fresh if possible)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Wash and chop all vegetables into large bite-sized pieces.

3. Place in a large baking dish with sides.

4. Drizzle with olive oil; mix well to coat each vegetable lightly with oil.

5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and herbs.

6. Bake uncovered for 25-35 minutes until vegetables are tender and golden brown, checking every 10

minutes to stir and make sure veggies are not sticking.

Note: Any combination of vegetables will work. Roasting only one kind of vegetable also makes a nice side dish.

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