Cooling down, balancing the mind + body for winter
If you’ve had a buzzing, social and sun-filled summer like we have you may find yourself welcoming the seasonal change and a mellow schedule with wide-open arms (in your favourite PK track pants and fluffy bed socks.) As our social calendars begin to slow down in the cooler months so too does our digestion.
In the summer time we tend to crave lighter, more hydrating and easily digestible foods and it is easier to maintain an active lifestyle which helps us to avoid the post-meal sluggishness, lethargy and a case of the SAD’s (Seasonal Affective Disorder) that can often plague us in the winter time.
We’ve complied a list of the best and most simple ways to support your digestive system during the autumn/winter transition so that you may continue to feel healthy and energised, especially as the clouds roll in and the daily forecast becomes less than motivating.
TIME TO TURN UP THE HEAT IN THE KITCHEN
First and foremost, it’s time to favour warm soupy foods over cold and dry foods. We hate to be the ones to say it but it’s officially time to break up with the potato chips, toast, salads, and smoothies (Wah! We know.) Instead, unearth the hot pot and crack out your favourite porridge, soup, curry and broth recipes.
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Hydrate the digestive system with warm water and teas throughout the day. Drinking cold drinks in autumn/winter can have a similar effect on your digestive system as throwing a cold bucket of water over a fire.
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Fill your pantry and work space with warming herbal teas packed with digestive stimulating herbs and spices like fennel, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon.
- Aim to eat your biggest meal at lunchtime when the sun is at its highest. According to Ayurvedic principal this is when our digestion is known to be at its strongest.
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Eat seasonal, fresh, local and organic when possible/accessible to you.
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Practice proper food combining (like, avoid mixing dairy with fruit) if you don’t know what this is PA-LEASE google it! If you have trouble with your digestion, you’ll find some life changing info on this, we promise.
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Chew your food thoroughly and allow your saliva to mix with the food before you swallow. When we slow down we enable digestive enzymes to break the food down properly, this means less bloat and post-meal sluggishness.
EAT INTUITIVELY + SHOP LOCAL
Pack your essential woven farmers market basket in the back of your car in anticipation of your local farmers market
Pencil in a date next Saturday/Sunday/Thursday, whenever your local farmers market is held and be sure to head down and stock up.
You may not need our list if you take note of what is in abundance at your local market however some of the best vegetables to cook during the autumn/winter months include:
Beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, fennel, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, silverbeet, spinach, sweet potato and turnips.
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So, PK Babes, as the southern hemisphere moves further away from the sun and the outside world continues to cool down we encourage you to stay warm, hydrated and continue to support your digestive system for healthy, happy and energised winter season. See you on the other-side!
X O X O
- Words by Denise Battany
