What’s the Tea? Vol. 3: Embracing Your Autumn
The transitional seasons are always my favorites. The welcome shifts in nature (from cold to warmth and barren to blooming in spring; from humid to crisp and green to bright reds/oranges/yellows in fall) bring about a whole spectrum of feelings.
Have you heard the phrase “sad girl autumn”? This is a very distinct, bittersweet feeling. It’s one where you’re very aware of the beautiful colors erupting from the trees and all the joyful fall activities you can participate in; at the same time, you feel that twinge of loneliness. You know the feeling. I experienced it just this past weekend, as I walked along a local trail. The sweet, earthy smell of the falling leaves touched my nostrils, and I felt a deep moment of joy, and then a deep moment of loneliness as I realized I didn’t have someone else with me to share in that joy.
Whenever I feel this way, I turn to cooking and baking, which remind me of what home feels like, smells like, and tastes like. When I got home from my walk, I decided to make my Momma’s apple crisp. The process brought me back home to myself once again. I filmed the process of me baking the crisp, and I made a little video for Instagram with a brief reflection on all this.
Cinnamon | Clove | Coriander | Ginger | Fenugreek | Chaga
Cinnamon: A stimulating bark that warms the body and aids digestion
Clove: A stimulating spice that improves circulation, treats nausea, and relieves toothaches
Ginger: Helps stimulate digestion and relieves nausea
Chaga Mushroom: An immune-boosting mushroom; high in antioxidants
Coriander: Improves digestion and regulates blood sugar
Fenugreek: Anti-inflammatory; contains maple flavor notes
Like a Leaf
May I be like a leaf—
coming into the world bright, vibrant
alive,
showing my full self
without abandon,
with full vulnerability
and strength to know
I’ll withstand the elements.
May I be like a leaf—
embracing every season as
life shifts, with
true colors on display.
May I be like a leaf—
letting go when it’s my time to leave,
breaking away from the attachment,
and fall softly,
gently,
to the ground.
And may that part of me
nourish my foundation
and make it all the stronger
for my body and soul
to stand on.
—a poem I wrote in November 2020