Page 10 - Indulge September 2017

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The mental and physical benefits of following a
healthy lifestyle are significant. The following
pages show how consistently healthy choices
lead to a longer life.

Prep your bodY To beat the

By Shannon Sigafoos

Every year as the fall and winter squash, cranberries, Brussels sprouts, routine to something both indoors and
seasons approach, we tend to act
as if the cold weather and winter blahs pomegranate, collard greens, Asian pears, different — a climbing gym, a fitness
are unexpected. But just like you would
winterize anything else — car tires, outdoor sweet potatoes, winter squash, and more.” class you haven’t tried before, or at-home
plumbing, windows — you should consider
winterizing your own body to stay healthy “Make an effort to eat the season’s workout routine you put together that is
throughout the changing of the seasons.
freshest produce. With the abundance of varied and will keep you invested.
While days are shorter and
opportunities for outdoor activity are farms and farmers markets in the Lehigh “Sometimes during the fall and winter,
decreased, there are simple things you can
do to compensate for what may feel like Valley, you’re in the perfect place to do it,” you have to create a plan or schedule
loss of energy or overall sluggishness. The
most important thing to remember is that says Nina Elias of Live Well Lehigh Valley, for yourself because exercise isn’t
the way your body feels is most tied to
what you put into it. This not only means a blog devoted to highlighting local health, incorporated as much into your daily
what you’re eating and drinking, but also
what you put into your daily efforts to give food, and fitness happenings. “Fall veggies activities. Plan out your exercise,” says
your body both exercise and rest.
are naturally starchier to provide your body Jeanine Lilly of the Capital Blue Store
Start by considering how clean your
eating patterns are. We should be putting with the energy it needs.” at Saucon Valley, where the public can
80 percent of clean foods into our daily
diets. While we can’t eat cleanly all the It’s also important to consider your attend seminars, workshops, and classes.
time, if eighty percent of the time you are
balancing a clean, organic diet at home hydration levels and make an attempt to “Scheduling that exercise will increase your
while the other 20 percent, you’re eating
out and indulging, you’ll get into a rhythm increase your water intake during cooler energy, reduce stress, and even help you
of keeping your body detoxified and
feeling energized. months. Due to higher temperatures, we fend off food cravings.”

“Eating with the seasons is always tend to naturally remember to drink a “When the cool weather starts to creep
best. Nature provides you with the proper
nutrients needed. I suggest buying lot of fluids throughout the spring and in, don’t think your hiking and walking
organic berries in bulk and freezing them
to use over the fall/winter months,” says summer. The fall and winter seasons, options are gone. In fact, some of the
Lisa Drew, certified nutritionist, CPT
and wellness coach of Emmaus. “Make however, are already dehydrating, as the best trails in the Lehigh Valley are trekked
big batches of organic soup to help
keep you healthy. Some fall and winter lower humidity dries your skin and the when the heat and humidity of summer
foods include acorn squash, butternut
membranes of your ears, nose, throat and have died down,” says Siobhan DeRemer

lungs. You may want to consider having a of Live Well Lehigh Valley. “Some of my

humidifier in your home. favorite trails in the area are The Border

“I make a point to add more sources Trail at Trexler Nature Preserve and the

of high-quality fats into my diet,” says North Lookout at Hawk Mountain.”

Stephanie Eckelkamp of Live Well Lehigh Finally, consider your mental state

Valley. “This not only helps keep skin of mind from day to day. Cooler months

naturally hydrated and moisturized, but it sometimes mean less socializing for many

offers mood-boosting perks as well.” of us, and social interactions can go a long

Our next tip is to stay as active as way toward avoiding “cabin fever” and

possible. While there is less daylight as feeling like you’re a bit isolated. Look at

the seasons shift toward the winter, many your calendar for the next few months and

who depend on running or walking for their then reach out to your friends to pre-plan

daily exercise actually tend to prefer cooler activities that will bring people together.

weather. Dressing in warmer, moisture- You may also consider exercise for the

wicking layers can help you get through mind, including quiet time or meditation

a seasonal outdoor run. If the weather to gather your thoughts and focus on a

is inclement, consider switching up your healthier you.

10 | indulge • September 2017