4 things to think about....

​As we have entered fall season, you might be thinking about those big family meals, holiday parties and unfortunately more time spent indoors with not much physical exercise. However, while these can be fun activities, fall should not be about isolating yourself, loading up on the unhealthy foods or getting out of your exercise routine. It is all about trying to find that balance. Enjoy the season, absolutely, but doing that while also maintaining your physical and emotional health is key.  Here are a few suggestions to help keep you on track

​1) Enjoy Seasonal Vegetables
A really great way to start taking care of your health in the fall season is to switch to vegetables that are currently in season. Seasonal foods support your body in each season!  Crazy right?  But that is the reason that they are in season now, you need them! So this is when you can enjoy fall produce like pumpkin, butternut squash, apples, carrots, tomatoes, and many others. And as an extra bonus, seasonal produce is going to be less expensive, so it is great for your budget and it encourages you to try new recipes when you switch it up a little. This will also allow you to have the opportunity to sneak in more superfoods into your diet.
Here is a website to check what’s in season where you live.

2) Use Better Ingredients 
If you want to bake for the fall season and holidays in general, it might seem like it won’t help you be healthier, but that’s not true at all. You can still make smarter choices in the kitchen when baking pies, cookies, and brownies for the fall season, without going overboard. Make simple changes, such as using healthier substitutes for some of your classic ingredients, like applesauce, yogurt or bananas. Also adding more baked goods with healthier ingredients like pumpkin and fruit, and always paying close attention to portion sizes.
Here is a website that gives great information on better baking ingredients.
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3) Keep Moving
Exercise is wonderful for self-care (emotional) and your physical health. But let's get real here, holiday seasons can be super busy and extra stressful.  Exercise is a great way to get rid of a lot of that plus it is good for your heart, boosts your energy levels, and can help you feel like you are doing something really great for yourself. During this season maybe try physical activities that allow you to practice self-care at the same time, such as a relaxing yoga or Pilates practice in the morning, a nice evening walk with your dog, or heading to a local lake or beach to take in the sights while you walk.

4) Avoid the Sniffles
Don’t forget about illnesses that tend to creep up in the fall, including the common cold! To prevent getting ill, wash your hands regularly throughout the day, stay away from others who have the sniffles, and always dress appropriately when outside on cooler days. Take your whole food vitamin C, drink plenty of fluids, and do the other things that were mentioned in this post– these are all going to work great at reducing your risk for catching a cold.