The only consistency in our lives as humans is change. In Ayurvedic tradition, the autumn symbolizes the pinnacle of transition in the course of the year. We witness change and transition in the landscape and in the later rise and earlier descent of the sun, and we certainly can feel it in the air and in our bodies.
Planting a vegetable garden that remains free of aphids and bothersome bugs may seem difficult, but not with an age-old trick: companion planting. By planting certain vegetables with their companion plants, herbs or flowers, some form of cultural benefit is created. Planting cucumbers underneath sunflowers, for example, helps both plants; the cucumbers take up the otherwise unused space underneath the sunflowers, while the sunflowers provide shade for the cucumbers.
Need something colorful, warm, healthy, and hearty this fall? Try this scrumptious sweet potato pumpkin soup recipe! Sweet potato is high in vitamins A, C, and E —which is awesome for supporting a healthy immune system. Pumpkin contains a great source of vitamin A for aiding in eye-vision, as well as potassium for helping out the body’s nervous system. This soup is not only good, it’s good for you!
Takes 30-45 minutes
Serves 5-6 bowls
Ingredients:
In all honesty, September always gives me mixed emotions. Let’s face it; it’s a strange month. We’re all too focused on savoring every last bit of that familiar summer breeze before we part ways, until next year. Yet, at the same time, we’re pinning all things “pumpkin spice” on Pinterest, and already shopping for Halloween decorations.
Time for some hearty vegetable soup! Its thick and creamy consistency provides a comforting antidote to those first chilly days as we move into fall. Simple and easy, you only need one pot to cook enough soup for the whole family and you can even make the most of extra veggies or herbs that you have laying around the house! The wonderful mix of both richly developed and subtle flavors is what sets this dish apart.
*Serves 4
Ingredients
2 Large Carrots
1 Celery Stalk
1 Small Onion
1 Medium Zucchini
Even though fall can bring on colder weather, there are actually many vegetables you can still plant in your garden this season. Wondering what to plant in your garden this fall? I’ve got 8 plants for your autumn garden that are sure to make your fall harvest as amazing as the color-changing leaves!
1. Carrots
“Sopa de Pollo” translates to Chicken Soup in Spanish. With autumn on the way, I can’t help but think about my Abuelita’s homemade sopa de pollo.
I can’t ever make it quite like hers but I think she would be pretty proud of mine just the same. Occasionally I will tweak this recipe here or there – for example, sometimes I add less rice and more potato while other times I eliminate the potato and use something like a turnip.
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
3-4 Pounds of Chicken Thighs & Legs
3 Sliced Carrots
Happy autumn solstice! September 22 officially marks the beginning of fall, and what better way to pay homage to the withdrawing sun than with 108 sun salutations at sunrise or sunset? It’s a number that’s auspicious in Buddhism and many more religions. The malas (rosaries) of Tibetan monks include 108 beads, which is a nod to the 108 volumes Buddha dubbed the Tibetan Kangyur. Zen priests also wear 108 beads in a juzu on their wrists.
The Autumn Equinox is one of my favorite seasonal transitions to experience. Don’t get me wrong – I love all of the seasons and I appreciate the changes, but Autumn is just the bee’s knees.
If you’ve ever grown your own food, you understand the hard work that goes into it. One of the things you never want to see is your harvest go to waste. Believe me, I know the sorrow of not being able to figure out what to do with my harvest fast enough before it is no longer fresh. On the flip side, this circumstance has really encouraged me to learn and try out different ideas for preserving whatever I grew. And now I am here to share them with you! Here are five ideas to preserve your garden harvest.