Can you feel the change in the air? In how things smell? Maybe you’re noticing a growing desire for all things cozy or a sense of being less focused, even unsettled? All these can be signs that fall—or more broadly, a seasonal change—is on its way.
The transition from summer to fall is my personal favorite. It’s as if moving from the looonnnng, bright, sunny days of a Pacific Northwest summer to the crisp, shorter, increasingly cloudy days in fall gives me permission to slow down and take a breath. I feel a physical sigh of relief as I notice this change.
In Ayurveda, an ancient medical system from India with over 5,000 years of history, we're taught that as we move into fall, qualities such as roughness, dryness, mobility, lightness, subtlety, and coldness increase. This system suggests that the seasonal transition is an ideal time to help the body release any accumulated heat from summer and start balancing these fall qualities. In other words, hello, cozy cravings!
So here we are, in this lovely in-between space—no longer summer, yet not quite fall. I’m feeling drawn to all the warm clothing options popping up in stores, and I’m noticing that fall spices are naturally making their way back into my cooking.
A recipe that I have been enjoying lately is a lovely spiced baked oatmeal recipe, and I'd love to share it with you!
According to Ayurveda, here’s what makes this recipe great:
Oats: Packed with nutritive benefits, their sweet taste and soft, heavy, and slightly unctuous qualities balance the excess heat from summer and the dryness that starts to creep in with fall.
Ginger: Enhances digestion, alleviates symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and nausea. It has anti-inflammatory properties, provides warmth, and promotes circulation. However, those who overheat easily should use ginger in moderation or omit it completely.
Cardamom: Soothes excess acidity, enkindles digestion, and has both warming and cooling effects, making it a supportive spice for most everyone.
Cinnamon: Warming, boosts digestion, soothes the gut, and acts as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the airway, which can be beneficial for coughs or colds.
Black pepper: Heating, supports digestion, is anti-inflammatory, absorbs excess moisture, and reduces gas and constipation.
Apples: Have a cooling sweetness that helps move out the summer heat built up in the body and offer stabilizing and grounding qualities, balancing the more mobile and subtle qualities of fall.
Give it a try! I’d love to hear what you think. And feel free to adapt the recipe in any way that best suits YOU!
Don’t like a spice or don’t have it on hand? Leave it out! Want a more custard like texture? Use 3 eggs instead of 2.
There are many ways to make this recipe your own. If you’d like help with modifications, send me an email and let me know! Learning about the qualities of foods and spices and how they support each individual is probably my favorite part of my Ayurveda training. It’s incredible how everyday, simple things impact us. While this can have negative effects, it also means there are simple ways to support and heal ourselves, such as with the beautiful tools offered through the practices of yoga/yoga therapy and the teachings of Ayurveda. And that, my friends, is truly powerful.
If you're curious about how yoga therapy or Ayurveda might benefit you, I'd love to chat! Send me an email, and we can explore your unique needs together to see if either of these wonderful practices might be a good fit for you.
Spiced Baked Oatmeal:
2 eggs
2c milk of choice
1.5 tsp vanilla
optional 1/4c sweetener (such as coconut sugar or maple syrup)
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
.5 tsp ground ginger
.5 tsp ground cardamom
Pinch of nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2c old fashioned rolled oats
1 large apple (or pear), cored and chopped
Grease 9x9 baking dish or use 8/9in cast iron skillet. In a bowl, beat eggs well. Mix in vanilla and milk. Mix in sweetener if desired. In another bowl, mix together oats, baking powder, and spices. Combine wet and dry ingredients and let soak as you prepare the fruit. Once chopped, layer the fruit in the prepared baking dish, then pour the oat mixture on top. Bake uncovered at 375* for 35 minutes, until set in the middle. Enjoy!
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