Combating the Winter Months Through The Pleasures of Comfort Foods

As we turn back the clocks in the wee hours of November 6th and the days begin to wind down early, so should we as human creatures. It’s all part of the cycle of nature. Over the past century Americans have become completely disconnected from nature. We operate on minimal sleep in order to complete all tasks we feel responsible for, we stress when we fail to do so and we make a vain attempt at sustaining ourselves through all of this on processed foods that are void of most nutrients because we are too busy to prepare and savor a meal with our families. Then, we wonder why we drag ourselves through the winter complaining about how lousy we feel. Here’s a tip, stop the madness! Take a moment to reacquaint yourself with yourself.

Your body is the most honest being you will never know; it never lies. It is an incredible, finely tuned; natural machine that knows exactly what is should be doing. It knows that to function optimally it must be balanced with nature. When we feel ill or run down during the winter months it’s often the result of seasonal imbalance.

Nature provides us with everything we need to sustain ourselves at precisely the right time. It’s no coincidence that the foods, which grow in abundance during the summer months, are light and leafy. In essence, they are cooling and counteract the seasonal high temperatures, balancing the body. The same is true for the winter months. Protein sustaining nuts, as well as grains, and root vegetables which provide a good nutritional base, are harvested in the fall to be stored and consumed during the winter months. Soups, stews and healthy casseroles are great choices. So, you see; you have permission from nature to indulge in some of your favorite comfort foods.

Equally important, is to pay attention to the mental/spiritual signals you are receiving from nature, as well. When the sun sets early we feel inclined to retreat to our cozy abodes. Again, this is what nature wants us to do. These delicious comfort foods that nature has given us permission to consume during the winter months, should be savored slowly until we feel satisfied. We should take the time to slow down, think about what we are eating and enjoy every mouthful.

While society places demands on each member of our families, pulling all of us in many directions, it’s important to make a concerted effort to enjoy a healthy, home cooked meal together as often as possible. This holds true year round. The more we begin to understand that conforming to the demands of nature is as important as conforming to the demands of society, the more we will begin to live more balanced and fulfilling lives.