Fall!
We are in the deep days of autumn now. Here in the Pacific Northwest darkness comes earlier each day. The skies are grey more often than not, swordferns are glistening, the alders are bare. Bigleaf Maple leaves carpet the ground in a patchwork of yellow and orange. The Mushroom foragers are out and about in the woods. And, leapfrogging puddles is a bonus exercise on my favorite trails.
Autumn is my favorite season. It’s like a deep exhale after the expansion of summer. It feels like new beginnings. The chance to slow down, reset, and start fresh. It is also a time of vulnerability. Without purposeful rest and proper nourishment after the go-go-go of summer, we can be left depleted, falling prey to the myriad germs that swirl around children and the indoor spaces that we frequent more often when the weather is cold and damp.
One of my strategies for staying well, both physically and mentally, during the autumn season, is to start the day by getting outside for a walk— rain or shine. By making it non-negotiable it naturally becomes part of my daily routine. Movement combined with daylight (even if it’s cloudy) and fresh air is invigorating, gets the blood flowing and sets a positive tone for the day. Observing the world outside, taking quiet notice of the many small changes from day to day is a great way to practice mindfulness, to declutter the mind, and start each day with a sense of calm.
While the energy of fall might be slower, it is no less busy (as all parents know). We all have the various responsibilities and commitments to juggle— whether it’s getting kids ready for school and activities, work, meetings, carpools, cleaning, planning, helping out our families, friends, communities, planning and prepping meals. The list goes on and is endless. We live in a world very much on-the-go with timelines that are tight. No matter how much we try to plan and organize, getting out the door in the morning can feel hectic. It is in these moments of busy-ness that our own nourishment so easily goes by the wayside. We grab a muffin or bagel on the go, if we eat at all.
How, can we nourish ourselves with good, whole foods when it feels like there just isn’t the time?
Meet Overnight Oats! Maybe you’ve heard of it, or maybe it’s new to you…There are endless variations. Overnight Oats have become my mainstay. My all-time favorite morning meal! It’s a super nutritious, super satisfying, super fast, and oh so easy to make ahead and take on the go!
Give it a try!
Overnight Oats
What it is and how to make:
*I make it in a glass jar with a screw top lid. This makes it easy to grab and go in the morning and take with me if I’m headed out the door.
Prepare in the evening or before bed. In glass jar, add:
1c (or desired amount) of oats. I actually prefer Museli because it contains seeds, nuts and bits of dried fruit in addition to the oats.
1Tbs Chia Seeds (or desired amount)
1 tsp (or desired amount) Cinnamon and/or Simplicity Herbal Fall Seasoning (a deliciously supportive blend of: powdered orange peel, rose hips, ginger, cardamom and clove)
Add your choice of milk (I use almond milk) to completely cover oat mixture.
Place lid on tightly and give a good shake to mix it all together
Place in fridge overnight
In the morning your breakfast is ready to go! (top off with more milk, if needed)
Optional add-in’s:
Some people like to add a little maple syrup for a bit of sweetener.
In the morning I like to add a couple of dollops of yogurt and some fruit. My favorite fruit choices are: blueberries, chunks of banana, or a few spoonfuls of applesauce.
Enjoy!
Take care of yourself, enjoy the gifts of the season, and nourish yourself from within!
