1. Eat nourishing foods. We recommend eliminating processed foods, especially sugar and flour products. These weaken the immune system, and make one much more susceptible to illness. Fall is the best time to include pungent foods which help to disperse mucus in the lungs and colon: onions, garlic, turnip, ginger, cabbage, horseradish, daikon radish, and white pepper. Dark green and golden-orange vegetables, especially those which are in season, also offer protection due to their beta carotene content. These foods include: carrot, winter squash, pumpkin, broccoli, parsley, kale, turnip and mustard greens. A soup containing some of these foods provides a simple and tasty way to enhance your diet. Also consider wheat or barley grass, and blue-green algae.
2. Use warming spices in your foods as well, such as: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and clove.
3. When it’s windy, keep your neck covered! Sounds like an old wives’ tale, but when your immunity is low, colds and flu are more likely to occur if you are not protected.
4. Consider air duct cleaning and use non-toxic cleaning materials.
5. Buy organic food. If you choose to eat meat, fish and dairy – eat hormone-free, anti-biotic-free and pesticide-free. The fruits and veggies known to contain the most pesticide retention are strawberries, spinach, peaches, apples, nectarines, pears, cherries, red raspberries, imported grapes, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and hot peppers.
6. Do you have a meditation practice? Now is a great time to slow down, get ready for winter and regulate your practice.
7. Now is also a great time to introduce or enhance your rejuvenative exercises. We recommend yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
8. When the first signs of cold and flu hit, get help with acupuncture and herbs.
9. Connect with nature – take walks, spend time with friends and family. Fresh air and good company are sure ways to keep you healthy!
10. As always…get plenty of sleep, exercise, and water.
To a healthy Autumn,
Sadie