It’s that time of year again, where we say see you later to the beaches, bikinis, boats, pools, and heat and welcome in the leaves changing colors, children going back to school, cooler temperatures, and don’t forget those upcoming holidays.
One of the best mood brightening events about Autumn is the magnificent collection of warm and inviting colors that you experience in Fall. Autumn leaves change to bright and cheery colors, as we approach those drearier conditions like that horrible four-letter word, “snow” and colder temperatures. Those beautiful flowers you spent countless hours nurturing will wither and some return again next spring. The air feels crisper, the breeze much more appealing than the impending frigidness and that white stuff that is inevitably in the near future. Countless people are excited by pumpkin flavored you name it, caramel apples and maybe even some apple strudel. (Some recipes favorites at the end of the article)
For many though, the transition into Fall can create some frustrating drawbacks and these may lead to or increase their depression. Saying goodbye to summer and accepting the changes Fall brings in can be difficult but it could also be a time to hit the reset button. When we spend time focusing on what WE need every day, set goals, and get organized we can relax a little bit more and prepare for the holidays and the new year to come.
Seasonal affective disorder is a kind of depression that comes and goes in a regular pattern and appears during the same time each year. SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are usually more visible and severe during the winter. Sometimes people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter. If you find yourself, losing interest in things you normally enjoy, having low energy or feeling sluggish, maybe even sleeping too much or not enough it may be time to reach out to a professional. There are numerous counselors, pastors, psychologists who can help with SAD and other emotional or mental health concerns.
There are many key techniques to learn and process to help control SAD or other feelings the seasonal transitions can brings about. Here are a few that might help:
- Journaling or writing about your favorite summer memories. Maybe take it one step further and write down some of the plans you may want to accomplish in the Fall.
- Take pictures of your people, events, or nature and make a collage. Another crafty and even stress-relieving activity would be to put together a collage of photos from the summer that you can put in your home or office, even on your phone screen.
- Set aside time and purge all things summer. Whether you donate them or pack them away for next year, it really does not matter. This type of activity could help the transitional moods that accompany those seasonal changes.
- Find your new flow. Whether its walking in a park with beautiful leaves and peaceful scenery or relaxing with a loved one anywhere in the sun, any outside time in the sun can help ward off seasonal transitioning and will help you relax, be more mindful, grateful, and look at the positives to come.
- If you feel the depression and sleep issues are still are significant concern seeking the help of a counselor, psychotherapist or other trusted professional may be the best option to help you find a steady ground, be able to look at the positives to make a game plan. Do you best not to procrastinate and you may have more time to enjoy life.
- Another option to help your seasonal affective disorder would be to create a health, tasty and well-balanced diet.
Start Your Holiday Shopping Early
Transitioning into the different seasons can have its hang-ups, but planning ahead, accepting things as they come rather than putting them off until the last minute, spending time with those people that bring out your happy can all benefit, maybe even ward off those seasonal mood swings. Other positive aspects of the fall season include preparing for whatever holidays you might celebrate. Thanksgiving is that time we all get together with loved ones and think about why and what we are grateful for. After Thanksgiving, before we know it, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, or whatever the holiday you celebrate may be, will soon be upon us. Maybe if you like going shopping, you can start getting some of your holiday shopping started early. Believe me, if you get some or all of this out of the way, your holidays could be somewhat less stressful. Whether you are grocery shopping for your Thanksgiving meal or looking for that creative present, getting up and out of the house and into one of the spirits of the season, may be a true benefit. Knowing that you accomplished one of those many expectations you have going into this season can be a great big relief. This works well, because instead of spending time worrying about money and gifts as the holidays get closer, you can have some extra time to do some things you enjoy and elevate your mood. If you get a head start on shopping, even a little bit at a time, it won’t feel like you’re spending your money all at once on gifts. This could be another way you feel better when you realize your shopping is out of the way long before the holidays.
While you are out and about see how many things you can find that are pumpkin flavored, that just happens to be my favorite fall flavor, but it can be any flavor you enjoy. Having a little sweetness can dull down those dreary blues. I absolutely love pumpkin coffee and making pumpkin bread! Not into pumpkin (not sure how everyone doesn’t love pumpkin), but its possible, try caramel or mint.
Count Your Blessings
To think that Thanksgiving traditions, beliefs and practices have been going on since 1621. Thanksgiving is celebrated for all the blessings that have taken place over the passed year. Thanksgiving is meant to be a positive holiday where we get together with loved ones and friends to share delicious traditional foods, while expressing thanks and gratitude, something that sometimes doesn’t seem to be done enough anymore.
Either on Thanksgiving or the day before my husband, children and I take the collection of cards provided by all our areas school children to the veteran’s hospital to share our good well wishes with those men and women who did so much for us, giving the lives as they knew them, to our country.
Another passion of mine has become collecting clothes, blankets, and toiletries for our homeless during the holidays. This project became known as “Wishes for Our Warriors”. You can find out more with the request letter on this website, but we are looking for things homeless people might need to stay safe and warm this winter. Items such as socks, long sleeve shirts, more socks, hats, gloves, scarfs and even coats. Other things we are collecting are toothpaste, toothbrushes, can foods with a pull top, first aid items and water bottles.
Now matter how you look at it, reaching out to help others during a time when you, yourself may be feeling down, statistically can work to make you feel better and well. Knowing that you are benefiting someone in need can inspire you to continue to do the same thing, but also, maybe even take a look at how you can feel better and think about all you have to be thankful for. Ultimately, being there and contributing your time or donations evokes gratitude, and maybe the people you help will someday turn-around and pay it forward, grateful, and appreciative of the time you helped them.
Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have.”
Fall Recipes:
Pumpkin Cake—this has always been a big hit at Thanksgiving
Ingredients
- ▢ 4 eggs, at room temperature
- ▢ 1 2/3 cups white sugar (Note 1)
- ▢ 1 cup vegetable oil (or canola)
- ▢ 15 oz / 420 g canned pure pumpkin or 2 cups mashed fresh pumpkin (Note 2)
- ▢ 2 cups all-purpose / plain flour
- ▢ 2 tsp baking soda
- ▢ 1 tsp baking powder
- ▢ 2 tsp cinnamon powder
- ▢ 1 tsp salt
Frosting
- ▢ 6 oz / 180 g cream cheese, at room temperature
- ▢ 1 cup / 225 g unsalted butter, softened
- ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ▢ 4 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F / 180C, all oven types.
- Spray and line a large pan around 9 x 13″ / 22 x 33cm with baking paper with overhang. (Note 3)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto cooling rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting.
Frosting
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat for 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and fluffy. If using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment.
1. Sugar – This can be cut down to 1 1/4 cups if you’d like it slightly less sweet.
Sausage Apple Stuffing in Pancetta Cups
Ingredients
Serves 16
- 16 slices of pancetta (around 12 cm/5″ in diameter (so it fits the muffin tin nicely))
- 1 lb / 500 g Italian pork sausage (casings removed (Note 1))
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 celery stalk (thinly sliced)
- 1 granny smith apple (skin on, finely chopped)
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 1 tsp fresh sage (finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried sage))
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme))
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock/broth (or turkey)
- 5 cups slightly stale white bread (cut into 1/3″ / 1 cm cubes
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (not whipped)
- 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread the cubed bread out on a baking sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes, or until bread is lightly toasted.
- In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the pork sausage. Stirring frequently, breaking the pork up into small pieces. Cook for 10 minutes or until cooked through. Scoop into a bowl and set aside.
- Reheat the sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the onion and celery – scraping up all the brown bits from the sausage. Stir occasionally until the onion is fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the apple and pecans and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add the bread and pork, carefully toss to combine. Add the chicken stock, heavy cream, sage, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the dressing to a large baking dish and cover with foil. Bake on the center rack for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and keeping the rack in the center, set the broiler to high. Cook under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, just long enough to brown and slightly crisp the top of the dressing (keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn the top). Remove from oven, serve, and enjoy!
Best Wishes This Holiday Season and Stay Positive, Enjoy Life in the New Year!!
