The Fall: Eating + Training with the Seasons
Like many other Canadians this summer, we have given up on believing the forecast as described by the weatherman. Instead, we only have to look our the window to see that — yes, fall is coming. In this emerging season, may you find opportunities for wellness, and a renewed commitment to your health and strength.
Walking vs. Wheeling
To us, getting outside for fresh air every day is sacrosanct. However, sometimes it is too hot to walk, or the distance we want to cover may be too great. So in the late spring and summer, we often cycle. But, with less bugs in the bush and cooler temperatures all around, we like to explore the river path and city streets on Sunday evenings with pre-dinner walks, versus the early morning bike rides we enjoyed this past summer. The scent of Cambrian forest and other pungent aromas of the countryside accompanied our rides on wheels, and soon, we will be out on foot enjoying tbe crisp evening air with a bouquet of wood burning fire places, and the sights of maple trees with fiery-red leaves yet to fall.
Ok, we enjoy the sights of fiery red fallen. leaves too. The green space out front our building in Downtown Guelph presents photo ready moments every day in all the seasons. Note: This picture was taken last year. At least locallly, most of the tree canopies are full and green.
Regarding your wheeling or walking ways, do you have a seasonal preference? Do you mix up your routes, and search the neighbourhood for a secret passage that lets your mind wander with every step? For short trips around town, or to stimulate your senses, whatever your mode of transportation, choose anything but the easy way — driving.
We love a good road trip to the cottage, and acknowledge that there are some tasks or trips best suited for the car. However, we believe that car dependency poses major risks to our environment, the livability of our cities, and the longevity of our long term health. Instead of gassing up — or charging your EV, keep the machinery of your body greasy, grooving and moving by choosing sustainable, and perhaps seasonal pedestrian modes of transport.
Eating with the Seasons
This past growing season, our garden produced lack-lustre legumes or the likes of other sliceable and diceable vegetables. We were able to keep most of the bunnies at bay, and through June and July enjoyed fresh greens like arugula, romaine, and kales from our garden. Preparing salads and sides in the summer with fresh and bright ingredients like basil, cilantro, lemon and lime, where possible, we choose to eat we eat with the season — most of the time.
Unless the wind is too blowy, or the snow is too — snowy, we BBQ outside most parts of the year. Heating up the oven to bake Lauryn’s sour dough bread in the summer months is the only permitted reason to add heat in the house. Yet, when fall comes around it is perfect time and temperature to enjoy slow foods such as braises, bone broths and oven roasted vegetables.
After a bike ride, we recovered on the front porch, with veggies, hummus and chips. We promise we drank water first, then enjoyed a pilsner tor two.
Any time of the year, our fridge will contain staple ingredients like our Ginger and Turmeric tonics to liven-up our tastes and to boost the fighting spirits of our immune system. Ten percent cream, cheddar cheese, eggs, green onions, cabbage, carrots and kales round out a top down peek into the edible staples that satiate our bellies, and provide energy during our favourite pursuits. In the coming months, stay tuned to our YouTube channel for recipe #shorts, tips and tricks to simplify your eating habits at home this fall and winter.
Prepare a bone broth and freeze for later. Then, on a cold day and in the mood for soup — drop an egg into hot broth and whisk. Add yesterday’s leftovers — carrots, chicken and bok choy pictured here, season with salt and pepper to enjoy a simple and nutritious home made meal.
Barre, Bell or Bodyweight?
While pumpkin spice may be the trendy flavour of this season — we choose to ‘spice-up’ our workouts by dedicating ourselves to a specific area of our practice. In the spring, we directed our energy towards improving our awareness, strength and endurance in a ballet practice. A trip to the New York City Ballet for a beginner dance intensive culminated our efforts where we were humbled , honoured and appreciated the patience of our instructors at home to make us ready for the barre in the Big Apple. In the three months leading up to the event, we practiced movements from our ballet repertoire three times per week, and only budgeted a single forty-five minute session to train our kettlebell skills.
However, early next month, we are traveling to the UK for a StrongFirst kettlebell certification. So, since a few weeks ago, we will train with the kettlebell at three unique sessions and maintain our mobility at the barre with one dedicated practice per week. With a kettlebell in hand, on our own, or side by side online, we will work on the basics like improving our grip strength, and be sure to perform the subsequent maintenance tasks of keeping our calluses low, so as not to tear.
Lauryn is pictured here performing the single leg pistol squat with the 24 kg kettlebell as part of her successful Iron Maiden pursuit at our last certification. Travelling with Lauryn always seems to create a stir, so that all we can do is sit around and watch.
In less than a month, we will be tested in spirit and in strength by the certification requirement to perform on hundred kettlebell snatches in five minutes. Since our last kettlebell certification three years ago, neither of us have performed the snatch as part of shared or individual routines. Rather than cramming, we have been slowly adding to our total amount of repetitions per week. We look forward to assembling our efforts abroad, and connecting with others through movement and strength.
Every season is approximately 90 days. Over the next three months, what will you do to benefit your strength and wellness? Subtle changes in the temperature and precipitation combined with an early setting sun culminate in the distinct transitional looks, feels, sights and tastes of fall. Whatever health and wellness journey you choose to embark on this season, start slow, stay strong and may we train together soon.
Take care,
Lauryn and Ian