Guest post by Ashley Pitman. Ashley runsVixi.comwhere you can find moreraw food recipes. She’s a fresh and authentic voice that empowers spiritually-minded entrepreneurs, wellness warriors and others on the healing path. Join herfree weekly newsletter. Ashley completed the2010-2011 Living Ayurveda coursewith Cate.
Wait a minute?! It’s the Autumn Equinox already. As much as we love Summertime and being out with our friends, going to parties & all the other outward flowing energy activities, Fall is knocking at the door. It’s bringing with it the promise of rain and cooler temperatures. Mother Nature’s rhythms tell us it’s time to start turning inside, ruminating & nourishing that inner light.
Let’s talk about cultivating a diet that can support this shift of the seasons. Fall (vata season) carries with it dry, rough, light, cold, subtle & mobile qualities.This means that to maintain a balance in our systemwe want to steer away from foods that also hold these same qualities.
One way we can achieve balance in the Fall is by eating foods that ground, moisten, nurture and warm the body. Sweet, sour and salty tastes are the ideal candidates for the job.
Here are some examples of foods to include in your meals:
- fresh sweet fruits like mango, coconut, berries and peaches
- fresh sour fruits like cherries, plums, green grapes, lemon and limes
- sweet veggies like corn and peas
But WAIT!!! Before you dive straight into this Fall rhythm, make sure to take a look outside and notice what’s still growing in your own home environment. We all shift into Fall at different times, depending on where we live. Here in Teton Valley we’re still in transition time, thus bitter andastringentplants remain in abundance.
During this time of transition, the tail end of summer harvest and the beginning of rooting into the fall, our digestive fire needs to be carefully maintained and stoked with the naturally growing bitters, the addition of spices and bydecreasing food intake by 1/3.
We’ll begin to integrate the sweet, sour and salty tastes slowly, as our ecosystem leads the way. The more in alignment we can get with our ecosystem, the more abundance we’ll experience!
Since we also want to be backing off the social schedule a bit, I’ve put together a menu of dishes that can easily be incorporated into your dailyroutineand they’re food the whole family can enjoy.
Moist & Nutrient-Dense Green Smoothie (Cate’s recipe)
Ingredients:
Fall Green Smoothie
- 1/2 banana
- 1 cup romaine lettuce
- 1/2 apple
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp ginger root
- 1 tbsp goji berry
- 3 dates
- 2 tbsp soaked almonds (overnight)
- 2-4 cups water
Directions:
- Toss it all in the blender and mix until you get the thickness you like.
- Add stevia for more sweetness and spice for more pep.
Spicy Avocado Soup
Ingredients:
Spicy Avocado Soup
- 2 cups avocado
- 1 1/2 cups sun-dried tomatoes, soaked
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, de-stemmed
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 2 1/2 tbsp celtic salt
- 3 tbsp chili spice
- 2 tbsp dried cilantro
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp cayenne
- 1 tbsp paprika
Directions:
- Combine almonds, avocado, lime juice, tomatoes, and tomato soak water in a blender and mix on high until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients except carrots and mix for an additional minute.
- Stir in carrots and serve immediately to take in the warmth created from blending.
Enchiladas (green chile, lime, & cilantro sun seedpâtéwith raw corntortillas)
Green chile, lime & cilantro sun seedpâté
Ingredients:
Enchiladas
- 1 cup soaked sunflower seeds (presoak for 4 hours)
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 3/4 tsp garlic, chopped
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro, packed & chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
- Rinse and drain sunflower seeds.
- Place all ingredients into a food processor fitted with the “s” blade. Purée into a smoothpâté.
Raw Corn Tortillas
Ingredients:
- 4 cups frozen corn (fresh corn creates a funky texture and flavor in this recipe – make sure to use frozen corn)
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds (not soaked)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Directions:
- Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Place mixture on a Teflex sheet on top of a mesh dehydrator screen about 1/8 inch think and dehydrate at 105 degrees.
- After about 3 hours, or when tortillas are solid enough to turn, flip onto mesh screen and dehydrate another 1-2 hours, or until the other side is solid.
Assembly:
- Place påté down the middle of a tortilla.
- Feel free to add in other fresh veggies.
- Roll up tortilla and top with salsa if you like.
FAQs
The Autumn Equinox, one of the two points in the year where day and night are of equal length, holds profound astrological significance. This celestial event represents a balance, a moment when the energies of the light and the dark are in harmony, offering a unique time for reflection and introspection.
What is the fall equinox good for? ›
This season's equinox marks the beginning of autumn, a season of change, reflection, and gratitude. The equinox is a time of balance between light and dark, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for reflection and gratitude.
How does the fall equinox affect humans? ›
For most this change is hardly noticeable as the body learns to adjust and reset its internal clock. However, for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this can lead to changes in serotonin and melatonin levels, which affect sleep patterns and mood.
How did people celebrate the fall equinox? ›
Common Practices. Bread and baked goods are typically found during the Autumn Equinox, with believers stopping work to relax and enjoy their blessings. Often believers will dress and eat lavishly to celebrate the bounty of life. Believers will also perform a ritual.
What goddess is Autumn Equinox? ›
Banbha, the Celtic goddess and Earth Mother
Amidst the fall equinox celebrations, the Irish deity Banbha reigns supreme. As an Earth Mother, she presides over the culmination of the bountiful harvest.
What are pagan traditions for the Autumn Equinox? ›
The autumn equinox, known as Mabon in some pagan traditions, is a time of gratitude for the bountiful harvest the earth has bestowed upon us. To celebrate this, gather your loved ones and partake in a sumptuous feast. The table should be adorned with the rich hues of autumn, from deep reds to golden yellows.
What is the spiritual energy of the equinox? ›
The vernal equinox, therefore, is more than just a marker of seasonal change. It is a spiritual milestone, a time for reflection, renewal, and rebirth. It offers us a chance to pause and consider how we might bring more balance and harmony into our lives.
What are 5 facts about the autumnal Fall Equinox? ›
Interesting Facts About Autumn Equinox
- Equinox is an instantaneous phenomenon. ...
- Day and Night are not precisely 12 hours each. ...
- Equinox does not occur on a fixed day. ...
- Equinoxes signal the start of Northern Lights. ...
- Harvest Moon in the Autumnal Equinox. ...
- Autumn Equinox once marked the start of the new year.
The spent leaves symbolize the past, no longer part of the vital present as they become dry and decompose into the forest floor. This is a helpful time to look back, not to ruminate or regret, but to reminisce with thoughtfulness (autumn is a time of words that begin with re-, meaning “again” or “backward”).
What is a fun fact about the Fall Equinox? ›
It's Not a Day-long Thing
Although the autumnal equinox is observed, maybe even celebrated, all day on Sept. 23, it's really just a moment in time — to be exact it's when the sun crosses the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky above Earth's equator. Normally, Earth orbits tilted on its axis by 23.5 degrees.
Again, because the length of the day changes, as well as the temperatures, our bodies can literally be thrown off their rhythm or cycle. This can affect sleep, eating habits, general mood, and even your social life.
How does autumn affect humans? ›
Those suffering from anxiety often report a spike in symptoms during autumn. Lack of sunlight can also create depression-like symptoms in a lot of people. If you feel like you don't have enough energy, feel blue or feel an increase in negative thoughts, you might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
How did pagans celebrate the equinox? ›
To celebrate Spring Equinox some Pagans carry out particular rituals. For instance a woman and a man are chosen to act out the roles of Spring God and Goddess, playing out courtship and symbolically planting seeds. Egg races, egg hunts, egg eating and egg painting are also traditional activities at this time of year.
What are the symbols of the Autumn Equinox? ›
The symbol of the Autumnal Equinox is the double spiral. It illustrates the in-breath and out-breath, the point of balance between the worlds, the inner and outer journey. Also, the apples, the heather bush, the herbs fennel, marigold, hops, berries and mushrooms are in full power and ready to harvest.
How do you prepare for the Autumn Equinox? ›
Mabon Rituals
- Go apple picking!
- Take a walk in the woods or anywhere in nature to gather fall foliage for your house and alter.
- Gather with loved ones and light a bonfire.
- Decorate your home or space for Autumn and Samhain.
- Practice a gratitude ritual to remind yourself of all the blessings in your life.
This is an excellent time to prioritize moderation and balance, with the day and night in total alignment. The equinox can also herald a time of clarity after confusion, some dark night of the soul esque contemplation, hibernation and stillness.
What does autumn symbolize in human life? ›
Beyond its scenic beauty, autumn carries profound symbolism, mirroring the transitions we experience in our own lives. Embracing the fall season can be a powerful teacher, urging us to embrace change, let go of what no longer serves us, and find beauty in the impermanence of life.
What does autumn symbolize in human? ›
In fall, the growing cycle gives us ripeness and maturity. The harvest is associated with abundance, prosperity and wealth. Humans too experience an “autumn”. If spring represents new birth and childhood, and summer symbolizes youth, autumn represents adulthood and maturity.
