winter

As the winter holidays quickly approach, many people may experience a mixture of excitement, anxiety, anticipation, and sadness, along with many other emotional states that come and go. Holiday rituals and the changing of the seasons can bring both celebration and introspection. We may enjoy spending time with loved ones, decorating, spiritual practices, or shopping, and we may also be grieving losses, evaluating the year behind us, and planning for changes to come. Hopefully, as we all go through our own unique holiday experiences, we can make self-care a priority.

Artificial LED lighting like the winter waning of natural light can have negative effects on health and well-being. Ayurveda can help re-balance the body deprived of enough natural light and overexposed to LED lighting.

Winter darkness and the blues are hardly new. Natural light deprivation disrupts balance between mind and body, especially for people who mostly stay indoors during daytime hours. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can make people feel more depressed, irritable, moody and tired with low energy.

Just because the leaves have fallen and the grass is no longer visible under inches of snow doesn't mean that the wildlife is gone–especially the best kind of wildlife. In this case, birds. While winter might not be the most colorful time of the year, many birds are still in their resplendent glory: bright red cardinals and soft pink juncos, black-capped chickadees and brilliant blue stellar jays. Attract the avian species to your winter backyard with just a few simple changes, and reap the benefits all year long.

1) Plant native species

As the weather gets colder in the Northern Hemisphere, we often find ourselves looking for warming soups, stews, and other hearty meals. This recipe is perfect for a warm fall meal! Since fall is the season of the Vata dosha (light and airy), warm hearty meals are also particularly beneficial for grounding. Whip up this recipe for a nice lunch or dinner that you and your guests are sure to enjoy!

Chickpea Turmeric Soup with Fresh Cilantro

1 tbsp. coconut oil

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

½ white onion, sliced lengthwise

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.

While the winter season means holidays, sledding and brisk walks in fresh snow, it can also mean trouble for your skin. Cooler temperatures and dry conditions can leave your face feeling dehydrated and in serious need of rejuvenation. Instead of reaching for the Vaseline (no thanks, petroleum!), look to Ayurveda for hydrated and happy skin.

1)Garshana–Dry Brush

The days are getting shorter, the garden has been put to rest, and the fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market are getting sparse. We’re in the thick of fall, and as we all know, fall turns into winter and leaves us for many months without fresh leafy greens, sweet juicy berries, or perfectly ripe tomatoes. For many hoping to eat locally, winter can be challenging - but it doesn’t have to be! Dear readers, you really can eat locally all year round, even if you’ve never canned a day in your life!

Easy Mushroom Gravy (Vegan)

*Makes about 4 servings

This easy mushroom gravy is quick and only requires a few simple ingredients to make it! Any mushroom can be used, though I recommend Cremini mushrooms. The mushrooms, red wine and soy sauce blend together to create a deliciously complex and savory flavor profile. This gravy is creamy, earthy and well-balanced, making it the perfect complement to your mashed potatoes, biscuits or another main dish.

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped mushrooms

¼ cup vegetable oil

Vegan Pie Crust

*Yields 2 crusts

Treat yourself or some party guests to a homemade vegan pie (or two) this season. With the holidays in sight, colder weather is the perfect excuse to stay inside and bake! Whether you prefer the classic apple pie, a fruity berry blend, or creamy key lime, the options for delicious vegan pie fillings are endless. Pro tip: to achieve the creaminess of key lime, or zest up your pumpkin pie, try adding some silken tofu to the filling!

Ingredients:

2 cups Flour

¼ teaspoon Salt

As winter approaches there is a lot of work that has to be done in order to prepare. I usually start with the garden.