Autumn, a time of now!

If you've caught our latest podcast episode on the autumn season then maybe your curiosity has been peaked regarding what easy seasonal things you can do to support yourself through the shift of autumn in preparation for winter. We still have all of October and November to maintain a stable and predictable fall routine! Below you will find a handy list of grocery items that you will want to fill your grocery cart with. Having these ingredients on hand will help you turn to foods that are meant to energetically support you to bring moist, grounded, and heavier nutrition during this Vata season of air. Catch our podcast episode where I share a little more about why the energetics of food is an easy way to support our mental health, bodies, and spirits! Without further ado, check out the shopping list below, and two of my favorite autumn recipes!

Vegetables:

Beets, broccoli, carrots, collards, kale, parsnips, pumpkins, spinach, squashes, Swiss chard, turnips

Fruits:

Apples, bananas, cranberries, dates, figs, pears, raisins

Grains:

Brown rice, Steel cut and rolled oats, red rice, wheat

Beans:

Adzuki beans, black beans

Fats:

Avocados, shredded coconut, coconut milk, cows milk, eggs, goats milk, raw nut butters, raw nuts, tahini

Spices:

Caradomom, cloves, ginger (ginger is unique because it is warming initially, and cooling in the long run, so it's versatile for other seasons too!)

Other extras to keep in mind:

Cacao powder, coconut sugar, maple syrup

Try this delicious and filling breakfast:

Apple cardamom overnight oats

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/2 apple grated

3 dried figs, chopped

1 tsp maple syrup

1/8 tsp ground cardamom or apple pie spice

1/2 cup almond milk

*gather ingredients together in a mason jar, and enjoy the next morning warm!

Or this satisfying soup for dinner, which is especially great as the days get colder in late fall, a great Segway to the winter season of kapha:

Sweet Potatoe Bisque

2 cups vegetable broth

1/2 inch piece fresh ginger pot, peeled and roughly chopped

1/4 cup heavy cows cream or coconut milk

2 cups of chopped baked sweet potatoes

1/2 tsp turmeric

Dash of nutmeg

Dash of salt and pepper

2 tsp ghee

*heat the broth, ginger, and milk in a saucepan on med/high heat, add the sweet potatoes and rest of spices to the warm broth, simmer until it reaches a boil, use a hand blender and blend the soup smooth.

**This Ayurvedic knowledge comes from years of study, many Ayurvedic mentors, and my favorite Ayurvedic cookbook, The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook. Vanessa is a certified Ayurveda lifestyle professional and therapist. This is not medical advise, and please avoid using any ingredients that you are allergic to. A professional Ayurvedic consultation can further help you use exactly the right ingredients for your constitution.