Imagine the perfect fall day… the temperature in the '60s, a slight breeze, and the sun amplifying the leaves that have turned the ideal shades of red, orange, and gold. Meanwhile, mushrooms pop through the earth in the most unexpected places while autumn flowers bloom with nature's finest buds. Bees are busy gathering the last bits of pollen before the first freeze. All of this accurately describes my Fall outdoor experience this past Friday.
Back to those darling mushrooms; I have seen them all over my yard for weeks. They never last long, but they are the most exquisite little works of nature, and as long as I can remember, I have always been in awe of those fantastic little fungi. By far the most delicious to eat (I have never dared to eat any mushrooms from my yard, only the morels someone else picked)! I also love a tasty portabella; my favorite way is to replace meat and use it as the "burger." After all, they are a superfood containing macronutrients to support a healthy immune system. I do also consume mushrooms in another form, coffee. I have been drinking Ryze mushroom coffee for almost a year now. RYZE comprises adaptogenic mushrooms consisting of Cordyceps, Lion's Mane, Reishi, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, and King Trumpet, promoting calmer energy, sharper focus, and immune support. There is no buzz and no crash, bonus! I love mine iced, with a squeeze of honey and a scoop of Daily Defense Mushroom powder from Arbonne, all blended with Fairlife milk for extra protein. YOU GUYS! I loved coffee so much, but I needed to make changes after discovering I had reflux issues. I tried over-the-counter medicine, and after that didn't work (and I'm not particularly eager to take medicine if I don't have to); I decided I wanted to try to control it more naturally. Caffeine is a significant contributor, as is alcohol, so I discontinued both. No caffeine meant needing to harness natural energy and focus with, bonus again, additional health benefits. I feel much healthier with these two adjustments of no caffeine/coffee and alcohol alone!
The mushrooms in the daily defense from Arbonne support your immune system, allow you to better adapt to stress, and support cognitive function. It poses the question, why is everyone not incorporating mushrooms into their daily routine? I like my scoop of daily defense in my mushroom coffee, but it would be great in a smoothie bowl, oatmeal, or another beverage of choice. My body feels the difference with this total blast of earthly goodness daily!
So, I continue in my yard, now moving on to mowing and mulching some freshly fallen leaves while in preparation for the season. Are the straight lines in the grass after a mow sexy to anyone other than me? I also love how the leaves look in the grass, but I learned quickly after living in my house that your grass will die if you don't rake. Please, let this tip help a new homeowner! So, for now, mulching and raking are sustainable practices for me and my yard.
A mid-day healthy boost was in order after my mower facilitated those sexy lines, and that consisted of my Green Synergy over ice (as I'm writing this, I realize I should have added a Fizz to my Synergy!). It's the citrus flavor that gets me! It tastes like an earthy, healthy juice, to be honest. Green Synergy has also been a staple in my journey of natural relief for my reflux. It all came down to checking and addressing my gut health; I didn't know I needed that! Less bloat, more fruits and veggies, plus collagen for healthy-looking skin. Just because I'm approaching an age that encompasses many years of life, doesn't mean I have to look like it. Enter, Ashley Jackson Beauty, ON THE INSIDE. We are what we eat, love a good (true) cliche.
I did a little more tidying up and soaking in the lovely moments of pre-golden hour before grabbing my boys from school. I love this Fall season most of all, and today was a visual reminder more than anything that everything with life is life and has a season. Some may read this and think about how winter is right around the corner when everything dies, gets covered in snow, and then turns muddy. But I take it a step further. Spring follows, along with Spring showers, which bring new life and new growth. Wherever you are in that perspective, challenge yourself to see the good in the change in ALL things ALL the time. There is a new season coming.
