The woodsy aroma of balsam fir, the warm comforting smell of a wood-burning fireplace, and the kaleidoscope of colourful fall leavesrustling in the crisp breeze are all reminiscent of my favourite time of year. The new season gives us a friendly reminder that change is in the air and it's time to fall back into optimal health and seasonal foods.

Because autumn is a season marked with increased wind, dryness and coolness, it’s important to ensure that the body adjusts to the changing of seasons as our body requires different nutrients. The harvest is the time to decrease your intake of cooling summer foods and to increase more
cooked and warming foods into your dietary plan in preparation for the colder winter months ahead.

Keeping your body healthy and in harmony during the seasonal transition is vital as it carries various benefits to your health. Once the temperature drops the return of flu and cold season reliably comes with it. So how can you bolster your defences against these lurking invaders? Autumn offers a nutritious cornucopia of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to strengthen the immune system and stave off seasonal colds.

It is also the most appropriate season to nourish and strengthen the lungs. The lungs are linked to skin and breathing problems like asthma, bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis, rashes and dry itchy skin. Equally important to your health is the large intestine. A well-functioning digestive system is the cornerstone good health. Did you know that your gut wall houses 70 percent of the cells that make up your immune system?

Incorporating warm, hearty cooked foods will ensure that the lungs and digestive system are preserving moisture and maintaining warmth. This also means no dry itchy nose, and proper digestion and elimination! So are you ready to turn over a new leaf?

Some Nourishing Seasonal Foods Include:

Autumn Foods: Acorn squash, arugula, asparagus, apples, Asian pears, avocado, bananas, broccoli, broccoli rabe/rapini, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, clementines, fennel, grapes, golden beets, kale, limes, oranges, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, oranges, parsnips,
persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkin, radish, rapini tangerines, golden beets.

Bone Broth: The greatest remedy to strengthen immune and the digestive system. For immune-boosting power combine onions and garlic. The flavourful dynamic duo also helps fight infection and bacteria.

Warming Culinary Herbs and Spices: Anise, basil, black burdock, pepper, cardamom, cayenne, chili, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic, ginger, horseradish, nutmeg, mustard seed, thyme, turmeric, rosemary.

Healthy Oils: Olive,coconut, avocado, nut oils, ghee.

Raw Manuka Honey: Has numerous medicinal properties including a heating and drying effect. Also touted for its anti-bacterial properties.

Proteins: Beans, lentils, organic lean meats, organic eggs, wild salmon, mackerel - rich in omega-3 and reduces inflammation.

Enjoy one pot meals like soups, stews, casseroles and pot roasts. Add some stewed apples, pears or berries with some warming spices such as cinnamon and cardamom on your breakfast porridge. Stewed fruit also makes a lovely
healthy snack.

May this season be a joyous one for you and may your home be filled with bountiful blessing and abundant health.

Elizabeth Mazzei, C.N.H.P.,NBCHT,NNCP,CGP. Elizabeth is a nutrition, digestive health and fitness enthusiast who enjoys supporting and promoting the message of health. She is passionate about holistic health and her ability to empower, inspire and motivate others to live a healthier vibrant life is inimitable.

Elizabeth is the founder and operator of Exodus Colon Health & Wellness,located in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. She is a Natural Health Practitioner, National Board Colon Hydrotherapist, Natural Nutrition Health Practitioner and GAPS Practitioner with over 30 years
experience in the health field.

Elizabeth’s practice is premised upon a balanced and holistic approach to health and overall well-being. She specializes in digestive health and recognizes that a well-functioning digestive system is the cornerstone to optimal health. Her vision is to incorporate all aspects of health to restore and maintain superior health. She integrates a wide range of holistic disciplines to create optimal results for her patients. Elizabeth’s caring, gentle and insatiable passion to help others has taken her as far away as Africa (Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia).

Take a look at the Exodus Wellness site: http://www.exoduswellness.org/about/