Does cold weather have you craving comfort foods? Try these health-boosting recipe favorites featuring seasonal ingredients. Plus, learn fall diet tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Does cold weather have you craving comfort foods? Try these health-boosting recipe favorites featuring seasonal ingredients. Plus, learn fall diet tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Last weekend, my kids went to the first of a series of HFCS-fueled Halloween parties—just the beginning of the annual sugarfest. Surprise, surprise, they both woke up with sore throats and runny noses a day or two later. (I should have paid more attention to these tips for boosting kids' immunity!)
Fall is an erratic season in Boulder, Colorado, where we live. The previous weekend marked the first snowfall here, and my family and I spent the better part of that weekend curled up in the house, poking through our favorite cookbooks. We cooked polenta and mushrooms, along with vegan chili … mmmm.
Which may be exactly what the doctor would order. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), autumn is a time to gather immune strength and fortify our bodies for the cold weather to come. Diet-wise, experts recommend that we begin to phase out the cold, raw foods that tasted so good in summer—salads, raw fruit, sushi, as well as dairy products, which tend to produce phlegm and weaken the lungs. Roasted or stewed root veggies with pungent accents like garlic and mustard are in order.
Learn more about the 7 top immunity foods.
I especially love the following fall recipes, which roughly fit the TCM fall recommendations—plus, they are really yummy and satisfying.
Creamy Millet with Apples and Honey
Mustard Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts
Steamed Carrots with Citrus and Walnuts
Cashew Curry with Kale and Quinoa
Tuscan Kale Soup with Buckwheat
Green Tea Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger
Cauliflower, Celery, and Leek Soup
Lemony Red Lentil Soup with Chard
Enjoy, and let us know what you’re cooking up for fall in the comments below!
