Mid-autumn is here and as the food growing season draws to a close, wellness remains a priority. A Red Circle’s Community Wellness team calls attention to crucial steps that ensure winter preparedness. 

Food Matters

Maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet can seem challenging during any season when there’s busy schedules and tight budgets to consider. Throw cold weather into the mix and life becomes even more complicated. Thankfully, there’s ways to bypass winter’s brittleness and manage healthy food practices.

Erin Tyus, Director of Community Wellness: “Use your crockpot to slow-cook veggies and tenderize meat for stews and soups. You can cook large amounts of food all at once and freeze and store what you don’t use for leftovers later. Also, keep herbs, like ginger, turmeric, garlic, basil, oil of oregano, black seed oil and lemon balm on hand and supplements, like elderberry, vitamin C and zinc, to help build up your defenses against illness. A nice Hot Toddy is always on point, too.” 

Emma Crocker, Program Manager, Food & Nutrition: “Tea with lemon and honey is good, especially if you need help getting rid of strep throat.” 

Queenie Vesey, Food & Farm Teaching Specialist – “I like doing a weekly meal prep with lots of lentil, rice and beans and storing in a cool dark place. Throw something over it if you can to keep it moist. Have all your key staples (things you can bake and cook with) handy, pre-make and freeze soups, cut up your veggies (onions, tomatoes, etc) and freeze them in ice cups. Also, turn over your garden and prepare for the spring early so you don’t have to do too much work later and to maintain the soil’s integrity.”

Physical and Emotional Check-ins

Erin: “Stay hydrated and bump up your skincare routine.” 

Emma: “Update your vaccines and wear a mask if you’re under the weather to protect others from getting sick.”

Queenie: “Have all your doctors’ appointments scheduled for the remainder of the year or season. Establish or revisit feng shui to maintain harmony between you and your home. Use extra oil in your bathtub to eliminate dry skin. Get rid of old medications (recycle it at the nearest pharmacy; don’t throw it in the trash). Parents, check in with your kids and on yourselves emotionally to ward against seasonal depression.” 

Additional Practical Tips

Erin:  “Dress warmly and in layers often – frostbite is real.”

Emma: “Reference the Centers for Disease Control’s weatherization program on how to ward against inclement weather conditions.” 

Queenie: “I typically secure all my windows, replace curtains with thicker ones, and use humidifiers. Check over your evacuation plans and emergency natural disaster kits. Start putting away 10-20 dollars per paycheck for the holiday budget, clean out your refrigerators, check your pillowcases, and don’t forget car maintenance.” 

Wellness is a 365-day, year-round task. Be sure you’re prepared and help others make provisions. Let’s all stay safe, warm, healthy and festive as temperatures drop.