It’s getting cold
We are entering a season of increased treats, more time spent inside, less sunlight, decreased physical activity, increased stress, and more sickness. The good news is we can do a lot to help fortify our body and improve our health. Time to start thinking of “food as medicine.”
One of the strangest things with the typical American diet is that we are overfed yet undernourished. We have an abundance of calories, yet that food has relatively little nutritional value. This time of year treats are in abundance - both food and beverage. Food can be a tremendous healer or a slow poison. Eat real food: meat, fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, butter, olive oil, nuts. The base of what you eat should be real food. Challenge yourself and switch to a whole food diet, or a Mediterranean diet, or a Paleo diet. One of my favorite things is sitting together as a family and sharing a meal. It is common for my family to cook and eat together. Our meals are high protein. We make soups, bone broths, beef chilis, everything with lots of protein. We work hard to limit our sugar intake and treats. We enjoy going trick or treating. Visiting friends, walking around for 90 minutes, and sorting through the spoils of the evening. We pass out apples and rubber duckies instead of candy. I make sure our Halloween candy disappears. This is because I have the most difficult time with sweets. If sweets are around, I will eat them. It is much easier for me to get rid of them once than be tempted every time I walk by the “treat cabinet” at home.
As the weather cools sports and activities move indoors. In Ohio sunlight becomes scare and we begin to pile on layers of clothing. Sunlight is not reaching our skin. We need to supplement with vitamin D. My family supplements with Cataplex D and Cod Liver Oil. Cod Liver Oil contains the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, is a natural source of vitamin D, as well as the antioxidant vitamin A.
As physical activity decreases, so does our health. Because of colder weather and decreased daylight we find ourselves spending more time indoors. There is less outside work to be done. It is not as enjoyable to walk or exercise alone in the dark. Find something to keep you moving. Meet up with a workout group, go to a gym, start a daily stretching routine, try yoga, or put on extra clothes and go outside for a walk. Limit technology, have conversations, connect with others. Instead of sitting around and watching devices, play games, tell stories, read, or do a family workout (planks, pushups, air squats, stretching). Come over to our house and enjoy our wood burning stove!
The season of consumerism can be very stressful. We spend a lot of time trying to spoil our kids, our loved ones, our friends. Instead try investing in experiences or time with your loved ones. Trust me, everyone will appreciate a connection more than a gift. It is a great time of year to start a meditation practice. Breath work is calming.
I hope this provides you with a new idea or a spark to motivate. Please share your successes. I want you to be strong and healthy. If you start to get sick or want to fortify your body we have lots of great immune support in the office.
Happy November!
