Finding January Balance

The cold, dark winter days encourage going inward, being less social and less active … a season of hibernation. I think about cozy blankets, snuggled up near a warm fire and eating warm foods that feel comforting and nourishing. After the busyness of the holidays, I look forward to having a time of doing less. As someone who often has a goal or intention, I like to find balance with adding in the things I do want for the winter and the year ahead.

In January, the year is fresh and new and there are many pulls to improve ourselves with efforts like dry January, detoxes or starting an exercise routine. For some, it can be inspiring and motivating to feel and take part of that January goals energy. Just make sure you’re setting a goal because you truly want to do it and not because that’s what you think you need to do. January is a perfect time to take a step toward a goal, while also allowing yourself plenty of time to just be, rest and see how it feels to integrate that step. Sustainable change happens slowly, it’s often boring and sometimes improves at an almost imperceivable pace. So integrating one small step toward change in a month where our seasonal inclination is to rest is huge!

Can you find the balance between resting and doing? If you have goals and intentions for this year, now is a time to take tiny steps. Then let your body and nervous system integrate those shifts and enjoy a slower time of year.

Reach out to me at rooted.cville@gmail.com if there’s a way I can help you take a step toward your goals.

Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Dates

I saw this recipe in The New York Times and thought it sounded good, and it has not disappointed! It has quickly become a weekly staple in my house. The flavors are warming and it is perfect for this time of year.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 pounds sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks

1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thick coins

1 cup dates or prunes diced (or could substitute other dried fruit)

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon grated or minced fresh ginger

1 (2 inch long) cinnamon stick

1 large pinch ground cayenne or red-pepper flakes

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed

1 large leek, trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

3/4 cup fresh cilantro or dill or other fresh herb of your choice

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon salt, coriander, cumin and pepper, tossing well. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.

In another large bowl, add the sweet potato, carrot, dates, lemon zest and grated ginger, cinnamon stick, cayenne and remaining 1 teaspoon of salt.

Preheat the oven to 350.

In a 5- to 7- quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add as many pieces of chicken to comfortably fit in the bottom of the pan without crowding. Brown both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken pieces to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed.

Add leeks, a pinch of salt and more olive oil if the pan looks dry. Sautee leeks until they are gold and tender, 5 to 7 minutes

Place half the chicken in one layer on top of the leeks. Top with half the sweet potato mixture, spreading it out evenly over the chicken. Repeat with the remaining chicken and sweet potato mixture. Pour orange juice into the pan.

Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Cook covered until the chicken and vegetables are tender, for about 55 to 70 minutes, stirring the mixture after 30 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve. I’ve enjoyed this served over rice.

Serves 6-8 (or so the recipe says. We get about four servings over her.

Recipe courtesy of The New York Times.

Permission to Slow Down in a Busy Season

We’re moving rapidly toward Thanksgiving and the busyness that comes with this time of year. The holiday season pulls us to do more — to be more social, spend more time out of our homes, do more things and potentially be stretched thin. While this time is praised as being a joyful time of year, I’m find it helpful to notice what you enjoy about the holidays. And also to notice what you don’t enjoy. Is there ways that you can support and care for yourself to make this time of year feel good in your body?

It always seems notable to me that the outward pull of energy the world encourages this time of year is directly opposite to what the natural world is doing — shorter days, more darkness, cold weather, hibernation and going inward. I’m always interested in finding balance between enjoying the festivities of this time of year while finding space for quiet and stillness.

If you find this time of year challenging, I encourage you to carve out time to care for and nurture your body in ways that feel supportive and good for you. Do the holiday things you truly want to do and skip the ones that you don’t want to do. Take time to move your body. Sleep enough. Drink enough water. You have permission to care for yourself the way that you need.

Tips to Support Yourself When Life Throws a Stressful Situation at You

Life throws all kinds of stressful situations at us. Here are some simple tips for when you’re dealing with a particularly stressful time. These tips are also super helpful for times when things aren’t feeling stressful, and they can be easier to implement when stress is lower.

1. Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing your best. You really are. When things feel especially hard, some of us can be hard on ourselves when being gentle is the most caring and loving approach.

2. Reach out to trusted support. A therapist, coach, trusted friend who can hold the space for what you need can be so helpful.

3. Sleep. Sleep helps everything all the time. But when you are stressed, it can be harder to sleep so anything you can do to support this is helpful! Taking melatonin and epsom salt baths are both tools I’ve used and enjoyed.

4. Eat. Small meals with protein, healthy fat and carbs. Stress can make us not feel hungry but keeping blood sugar balanced and energy levels up will only help you be more resilient.

5. Hydrate! Hydration is so important for many aspects of our body and health and is a simple way you can make sure you are taking the best care of yourself that you can.

6. Track your nervous system and support what it needs to down regulate (grounding, orienting, singing, walking, dancing). When you are stressed, the nervous system goes into fight or flight. Some of the effects of that can be to feel wired, anxious and increased heart rate. Moving that energy out of your body can help you feel more like yourself. While you might not feel completely regulated, try to notice the small subtle shifts.

Remember that everything shifts and changes and so will this experience that you’re in! If you are navigating longer periods of stress and would like support, please reach out if you’re interested in how nervous system work can support you.

We Are Not Defined by Our Histories and Stories

We all have histories and stories. They can feel like they define us, but these stories aren’t who we are. In fact, it can be harmful if we think these stories that we (and others) may believe about ourselves are actually who we are. The experiences we’ve had through our lives make an impact and sometimes leave a wound, but they don’t need to define us.

It’s really normal to feel like we ARE our pain. Our experiences of trauma, our challenges and our hardships can start to feel like they are the most important part of us and take center stage.

But what is your experience like if you separate who you are from what you’re experiencing?

For example, if you have back pain, it is different to say “I’m experiencing back pain right now,” rather than “I have back pain.” When we say “I have back pain,” it feels like we are identifying with this pain, like it is us. What is it like to have a little bit of space between what you are experiencing? How does the experience feel different?

How we might identify with back pain is just one example. You might find you notice this pattern in other areas of your life.

If you’d like support around unwinding you from the stories about yourself or who you have been, or you’d like to explore how to find more space between you and a symptom you’re experiencing, please reach out, I would love to support you.