This morning I knew it was autumn for three reasons…

• I quite fancied putting the heat on (but didn’t!)
• The strawberry tunnels (I live by a big strawberry farm) had their ends covered for the first time since spring
• I had porridge for breakfast!

How are you starting to notice the autumn? Is it the leaves on the ground, dew on the grass or the reduction of good laundry days??

Any season brings about change and a mix of emotions too. I feel sad as we leave the heat of the summer behind but hopeful and excited about autumnal crafts and candles and beautiful walks.

Here are 7 Healthy Autumnal Twists to bring health to your body, spirit and soul!

• Porridge – warming, filling breakfasts of oats give you a great start to the day. Oats are good for you because they are a great source of vitamins, nutrients, fibre and antioxidants. They can help you lose weight, lower blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Berries – foraging for berries in the countryside is great fun and they can be added to porridge, baking or used as a snack or dessert. Berries are some of the healthiest (and yummiest!) foods that you can eat and contain vitamin C, folic acid, fibre and antioxidants. They protect your cells and can improve your response to sugar in your blood among lots of other benefits!
• Soup – such an easy meal and full of nutrients. Soup is also cheap to make and ideal for eating at home or in a flask when you are out.
• Walks – There are so many beautiful places to walk in the autumn. Even your normal walk can look so different with the changing colours of the trees and the mist in the air. Autumn tends to be an ideal walking temperature, with less risk of heat-related health issues, and you can often walk briskly without a coat (or hopefully a brolly!) Do your body, spirit and soul a favour and explore new places on foot this autumn!
• Warm Drinks – suddenly cold water seems a bit too cold to drink lots of so make the most of warming herbal teas and if you haven’t tried warm water yet you might like it! Warm drinks taste even better after a walk! So increase your fluids this autumn with (non-caffeinated) hot drinks.
• Autmn spices: cinnamon, star anise, turmeric, all spice, nutmeg, pumpkin, ginger, cardamon, cloves, cumin and saffron all have that autumn feel about them. Enjoy them in cooking and baking and reap the benefits of improved heart health, weight loss, anti-inflammatory and cell protective properties.
• More Sleep – as the nights draw in it can be easier to go to bed at a reasonable time as the melatonin levels in your body increase, encouraging sleep more easily. Take advantage of this and the benefits of reducing stress, improving mood and heart health benefits that more sleep can bring.

Enjoy this season and some of these healthy autumnal twists!

Come and join us on Fitfish for a Fiver if you want to exercise indoors and receive some recipes including soup!