I love this time of year in New England! The colors shift from a vibrant crisp spectrum of blues, reds and pinks to the warm golden hues of yellow, orange and brown. It is as if nature knows we need to view cooler shades in the sweltering summer sun and the warmer tones of Fall as the air becomes crisp. It is a natural balancing system to help us with our equilibrium. We can add this natural external rhythm to our interior environment to foster inner alignment. In today’s article we will look at a few simple solutions to bring the natural cadence of nature within to nurture you in your nest.
I still am thrilled and captivated by the Fall wind that makes the gold and amber leaves dance, twirl and float. It brings a smile to my face as I hear leaves crunch under foot as I take my morning run. My “Gramma” instilled this love of fall in me with her love of crackling fires, walks in the woods, large sweaters and the color orange. She was always thrilled when I would bring homemade chili and hearty soup to she and my “Gramps”. The nutrient-dense simmering suppers would fill their hearts and tummies. Today I will share a few Home in Harmony secrets for tranquility and bliss during this sensational season that touches all of the senses.
1. PLAN OF ACTION
It amazes me that there are only 6 weeks until my book launch on November 3rd! Only 6 weeks! That means that there are only 9 weeks until the American Thanksgiving, 13 weeks until Hanukah and 14 weeks until Christmas! There is a lot to do between now and then. If you are like me, that means that along with the daily routine, preparing for Halloween, and all of the activities that are in full fall swing it is important to start thinking about what lays ahead. Putting a plan in place can help you not only successfully navigate this landscape, but can put you at ease so that you move gracefully along in a state of calm instead of chaos. Preparatory planning also allows you to decompress and stress-less because you have a plan. This also allows your unconscious to move out of a state of anxiety, which can help you to live in the present moment… this creates bliss!
2. BASE DESIGN STRATEGY
In our house we love to decorate for each holiday! It adds energy and excitement to our home. But, with all of the holidays it can be stress-full to keep changing things. Who has time to take down a house-full of decorations and put new ones up? One thing that I have found helpful this time of year is to start with a “Base” design and build and remove extras. For example, in our home we have an assortment of fall pumpkins made of glass, pottery and metal. Some are painted, some have sparkles and some have beautiful silk accent flowers. I leave these beautiful pumpkins up for the entire season—all the way from September until Thanksgiving. As the holidays approach, I have accent pieces that we supplement or remove depending on the celebration. We bring out a few jack-o-lanterns, witches and caldrons as Halloween draws near. When the clock strikes mid-night on All-Hallows-Eve I am thrilled to remove the spooky bats and ghosts. When the Halloween decorations come down I am in a state of gratitude to bring out the plentiful cornucopias and Thanksgiving mementos from years past. Having a Base design allows our family to effortlessly enjoy all of the special holidays with less stress and more ease.
3. HEARTY SOUP
Ahh, soup! As my family will tell you I love the start of soup season! Soup is so wonderful because it can be so easy to make AND so nutrient-dense! I especially like to make a soup on our over-scheduled days when people are coming and going. It allows everyone to have a hot & HEARTY meal! Here is a favorite recipe in our house:
Keilbasa Chick Pea Soup
- 1 Turkey Kielbasa- cut into small pieces
- 1 Yellow Onion- finely diced
- 1 Elephant Garlic- finely chopped
- 1 Large Jar Organic Roasted Red Peppers- strain & chop
- 1 Tablespoon Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil
- 3 Can Organic Chick Peas (Garbanzo Beans)
- 1 -48oz Box of Organic Chicken Broth
- 2 containers Organic Red Pepper Hummus
- Season with Sea Salt & Pepper to your liking
- Rice/Orzo/Quinoa
- Saute Onion, Garlic & Kielbasa until brown
- Add in Roasted Red Pepper & sauté
- Add Chicken Broth
- Add Chick Peas
- When Chicken Broth is hot, put 2 cups in a bowl and stir in hummus until everything is liquid. Pour mixture back into soup. Let simmer.
- While soup is simmering, in a separate pot make rice, orzo or quinoa based on package instructions. When done, add to soup. Let simmer a bit longer so that grain/pasta will be infused with the taste of the soup.
Enjoy this nutrient dense soup that will warm your home and spirit!
I hope your spirit will dance with the leaves as they glide and pirouette in the crisp air of the glorious golden glow of the fall season. Preparation can create bliss and tranquility. Allow your home to be your refuge that supports and nurtures your mind, body and spirit so that you can create the life of your dreams.
Happy Soaring!
XOXO
P.S. I have a fabulous upcoming FREE LIVE EVENT that I am about to announce! To receive all the details that are coming soon be sure to join my newsletter at the right of this page, if you haven’t done so already, and you will be the first to hear!