Happy first day of fall! We’re finally moving out of the transition period between summer and fall, a time that is so energetically loaded. Do you know what I mean? The long, slow, hot days of summer are being replaced with the go, go, go, back-to-school, back-to-real-life busy feeling of the fall. It’s almost like there is so much going on, both physically and energetically, that it just feels like a lot.
Some of us (myself included) really thrive off of this energy and love to use it to get organized in all aspects of life, but others find it a little overwhelming and difficult to deal with the earlier sunsets and chillier days.
I think our personal energies are really intuitive and you probably already have a sense of what yours/your family’s/your kid’s is like, but there are also so many ways to learn more about yours. If you’re interested, I would recommend starting by finding our your Ayurvedic dosha, but you can also get great info from your astrological or human design chart (to name just a few!).
Fall is the harvest season, when traditionally, food is plentiful and abundant. The hard work of growing the food is behind us and it’s time to enjoy our harvest and prepare for the less abundant winter season ahead. What a great metaphor for life at this moment, right?
Ok, let’s get back to how this all relates to food. First of all, mother nature is super smart. She knows and provides the exact kinds of food that we need to help keep us healthy and happy during this season (and the others!). Since we live in an age where just about every food is available to us at all times, it’s easy to get out of touch with what foods will help us feel our best at which times.
Luckily it’s very easy to get back in mama nature’s good graces. Just take a look at what produce is in season. We’ve got tons of root vegetables (beets, sweet potatoes, carrots) that literally grow under ground and help us feel grounded, plus other hearty veggies like winter squash, Brussels sprouts and broccoli that are nutrient dense. It’s all about balancing out the chilly temperatures and shorter days with cozy, nourishing food. Top is all off with warming spices like cinnamon and turmeric and you’re good to go!
Astrologically, we’re now moving into libra season, which is all about balance. It makes so much sense that as the weather gets cooler, the foods that are available to us are warming. As a mama, it’s so important to me that I make food for my girls that will help them stay in balance. It doesn’t take much for Baby V’s 3-year-old threenager (yep, it’s a thing!) energy to get really wacky, and one way I can help her feel safe, calm and understood is by giving her the kinds of foods that her body will thrive off of during the different times of the year.
I could go on and on about food energetics and how eating with the seasons helps us stay our happiest and healthiest (hey, I wrote a whole book about it!) but I do think some things are better expressed through food than words. Below are my Top 10 Warm, Cozy & Grounding Vegan Recipes that will help you make the most of the fall season.
- Healthy Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Latte– My way healthier alternative to Starbuck’s popular drink. It’s perfect for chilly afternoons when you need a sweet pick-me-up.
2. Crockpot Chili– the beauty of this recipe is that you simply toss all the ingredients in the pot in the morning and dinner is hot and ready when you get home!
Also try my Cornbread Crumble Chili...
3. Pumpkin Pie Spice Carrot Cake Oatmeal– It’s a super easy way to start your day with a full belly and solid, grounded energy.
4. Roasted Stuffed Honeynut Squash– If you happen upon honeynut squash at the market, you definitely need to make this! Otherwise, you can make it with whatever variety you have on hand and it’s always a hit.
5. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies– best served with a glass of warm almond milk!
6. – this is one of the easiest weeknight dinners I know, and my family eats it at least 2x per week during the fall and winter months.
7. – Basically sunshine in a bowl for those early fall sunset nights.
8. Roasted Vegetable Stuffed Squash with Maple-Tahini Sauce- A super easy way to use your farmers market bounty. The sauce is seriously delish.
9. Creamy Tahini Sweet Potato Stew– Another great weeknight option because you really just chop the taters and toss them in the pot!
10.Takeout Copycat Coconut Curry Noodle Soup– Inspired by one of my favorite Thai takeout spots, this soup is the very best for warming you up from the inside out.
Want more seasonal eats? My new book, The Colorful Family Table: Seasonal Plant-Based Recipes for the Whole Family has 100 of them!
