8 Fall Steps for Healthy Living

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, change is in the air. That's what makes fall a great time for renewal and fresh starts. It's time to fine-tune your health by making one or two small changes that yield big results.

WebMD asked experts in diet, fitness, vision (and more) for their top tip for healthy living this fall. Here's what they suggested:

1. Let Beans Be a Part of Your Diet
2. Defuse Stress With Friendship
3. Be Tender With Your Teeth
4. Have Fun With Fitness
5. A Checkup: The Eyes Have It
6. Heart Health: Know Your Numbers
7. Warm Up With Wine
8.  Synchronize Your Sleep

Brussels sprouts

The weather is getting cooler, but your produce choices are heating up.

Amazing superfoods are either hitting their peak in the garden or can easily be found in your local farmers market or grocery store, like Brussels sprouts. They're the perfect excuse to get cooking on cool nights!

 

Made the correct way, these veggies taste divine. They have a mild, somewhat bitter taste, so combine them with tangy or savory sauces, like balsamic vinegar. Health benefits include:

• 1/2 cup contains more than your DRI of vitamin K
• Very good source of folate
• Good source of iron

Harvest season: September–March

Try this recipe: Sauteed Brussels Sprouts With Parmesan and Pine Nuts

This Fall: Start Eating Mindfully

Your meals may usually have more to do with your mouth than your mind, but Caroline Beliard-Zebrowski, Deckopedia's yoga expert, suggests changing that up this fall for a healthier start. Focusing your attention on all your senses allows your mind to reconnect with your body. Practice this meditation for about five minutes before and as you start your meal. 1. Before you start your meal, pause for a moment. 

Take a deep conscious inhale and a deep intense exhale. 2. Let go of any hurry to start your meal and calm your mind down. 3. Try identifying what you feel at this moment, with simple words attached to each feeling. 4. If your mind starts wandering, acknowledge it, but come back to your breathing. 5. Now, contemplate what you have in your plate. Become interested and ask yourself questions about the food you are about to eat: Where does it come from, what is it made of? 

Does the thought of eating this food makes me feel healthy? 6. Bring your attention to the smell of the food by exploring the different aromas. 7. Take your fork consciously, and take your first bite. First, listen to the texture of the food breaking down in your mouth as you start chewing and feel the sensation of cold, warm, crunchiness, or smoothness of the food in your mouth. 8. Finally focus on the taste of your food and explore each flavor you encounter.

Fall Recipe: Baked Apple Fritters

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk, warmed
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus up to 1/4 cup more
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• Filling:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium apple, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 teaspoons apple juice
• Pinch ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. To make dough: Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes or until foamy. Add 1 1/3 cups flour, sugar, honey, melted butter, salt, and egg to yeast mixture, stirring until smooth. Add additional 1 cup flour; stir until a soft dough forms.

2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (10 minutes), or transfer to an electric mixer with a dough hook and mix 10 minutes on medium speed; add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.