The Change of Season - Diet, Exercise, Mindset

Now it is the optimal time to change your eating habits, exercise routine and even your mindset.  The change of seasons your body craves something new.  So do something new.

Here are three things that you can do to change up your season.

1.   Change your diet.  Eating more cooling foods at this time of year. 

• Growth time — Foods that grow quickly, like bean sprouts, cucumbers and summer squash, tend to be more cooling than foods that take longer to grow, like cabbage, carrots and winter squash.
• Color — Blue, green, or purple colored foods are typically more cooling than similar foods that are red, orange or yellow. Thus, a lime cools more than a lemon. Blue fish is more cooling than salmon.
• Region — Tropical and sub-tropical foods tend to be more cooling than temperate-zone foods. Strawberries and cherries are more warming than mangos and pineapple.
• Water content — Juicy foods tend to be more cooling than dry foods. Therefore, Chinese cabbage is more cooling than cabbage and milk, more cooling than cheese.

2.  Change your exercise routine

• Get outside and walk, run or ride your bike
• Take time to stretch on your deck or patio in the morning
• Do something different each day for your exercise: yoga, walk, stretch, abs, biking, meditation, etc.

3. Change your mindset

• Make a a mental note of what you are grateful for each day
• Take time to do yoga or meditate
• Set your intentions for the upcoming days and months ahead
• Pay attention when you are negative and change your thoughts to something positive