Enter October…. School field trips, anticipation of fall weather, holiday parties begin, costumes, planning, over-planning… then as we watch the leaves change color (already??) we are overcome with a sense of nostalgia for how “fast” fall has come again. If you’re like me, I start to feel an un-ease that comes over me some days, its like a subtle questioning of my life decisions and it can throw me into this internal frenzy of what I “should” or “should not” be doing. This is where the work comes in- these feelings will always be here, its part of being human and setting the expectation that I will never have these feelings if I can “just get it right” is setting myself up for dissapointment and the cycle continues. So I make note that I’m aware that I’m feeling this “overwhelm” again… whether just mentally notice, or write it out in my journal, I may even give myself a smile at the familiarity of finding myself in this “state”… with a bit of humor comes a softening and a levity that only forgiveness can bring … then I start to re-center myself consciously- even moment by moment. I bring my awareness out of my head (those thoughts won’t stop just because I want them to) and into whats right in front of me- all that is needed is your awareness, no fighting, no struggling, just noticing…. my breath (could I be breathing more deeply?), my husband as he comes in from his run, my kids’ faces and sweet voices as we ride to school in the morning… and I intentionally slow down my movements… the only one who can place pressures & judgements on me is Myself. Then I feel what I need- do I need to take a walk? drop into child’s pose for 10 breaths? make myself a hot cup of tea? Just sit and hold my 4 year old for a minute? So many choices for bringing yourself out of the maddness that your mind creates and into this one moment that will guide you ANYtime you bring your awareness there. Have faith that in the noticing, your brain is forging a new pathway… this process will be with you forever, again, its part of being human… you will get better at it and be able to redirect your actions more quickly the more you practice. Look to the ideas below to support your brain during this process…

When you’re in a feeling of overwhelm you can support your entire bodily system with adding more leafy greens into your day- Here’s my favorite way to include them at all times- especially in the FALL:

Add two handfuls of organic baby spinach to your morning smoothie (check out www.flowspacefitness.com for great smoothie ideas)
Throw cooked organic rice/quinoa/chopped white or sweet potato into a skillet with 3 tbsp water and 1 tsp organic olive oil or avocado oil with 1/2 cup chickpeas (increases your serotonin levels) and 3 huge handfuls organic spinach/kale… cook until spinach is just wilted, season with your favorite organic seasonings (mexican, chilli powder, garlic powder, guram masala, sea salt and black pepper, shot of organic tamari or low sodium soy sauce) and enjoy. You can sprinkle with organic hemp hearts for added protein and omega 3’s for some extra love.
Add two handfuls of organic baby spinach or kale in to your favorite soup recipes (I’m a HUGE fan of Amy’s organics, I add brown rice sea shell pasta to these for my daughter… any flavor!!) Again- sprinkle with the hemp hearts!
Tip- Tear your leafy greens with your hands before eating them and let them sit for a few minutes- this increases the vitamins you’ll be able to obtain from them.
Roast veggies (onions, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, any type of squash) with 2 teaspoons olive oil (can use organic veggie broth if you’re “no oil plant based”) for 20 minutes on 400 degrees in the oven… place as many as you’d like on a HUGE bed of organic baby spinach or kale, or spicy arugula with thinly sliced red onion and drizzle your favorite vinegar based dressing for a grounding fall salad.

Keep it simple. Stick with Whole Foods. These are the Basics.

Other favorite recipes for adding greens??? Let me hear your voice!!!

As always- with love and gratitude-

Mindset & Food for Feelings of Overwhelm