The Vitalist Approach to Seasonal Transition

Evergreen forest on Mt. Pierce in the White Mountains.

Embracing the Seasons: The Vitalist Approach to Fall

In vitalist herbalism, the seasons aren’t just weather changes; they are energetic shifts that influence our bodies, minds, and spirits. As we move from summer’s fiery energy into the cooling, grounding force of fall, it’s essential to realign ourselves with these rhythms.

Vitalism teaches that fall is a time for slowing down, conserving energy, and strengthening our connection to the earth. The body naturally begins to transition inward, seeking warmth, grounding, and nourishment. This is the season for reflection, for nurturing our roots, and for preparing our bodies for the colder, darker days ahead.

To support this transition, consider incorporating daily grounding practices, such as walking in nature, meditation, or mindful breathing. Vitalist herbalism suggests herbs like ashwagandha and reishi, which help the body adapt to change and maintain balance. Warming herbs like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric can be incorporated into teas or meals to stoke the digestive fire and keep the body in harmony.

Herbal Tip: Brew a warming tea with ginger, cinnamon, and star anise with a touch of raw local honey to keep your digestion strong and your body warm as the weather cools.

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Taking Back Your Health

We’ve all been there before, at the crossroads of where we are and where we want to be. Most succumb to complacency, but there are those who have the tenacity to endure what it takes to make the changes necessary to progress forward.

So you want to change. Awesome. Are you committed to actually making the changes you desire?

If you want to lose weight, it’s not merely about calorie deficits and diets.
If you want to avoid toxins, it’s not simply about buying products labeled “organic”.
If you want to be healthier overall, you need to do more than just run a mile per day, or do a few power squats.

It’s about adjusting your mindset and lifestyle. It’s about self discipline, and having the desire to learn, grow and be better a little bit each day.

Working with clients, I see this a lot. People complain and ask why they aren’t losing weight yet in a particular program, yet upon asking them about their lifestyle, it’s clear they have yet to do the hard work. Signing up for a program isn’t a cure all — there’s a lot of work to be done on an individual level.

No matter how many diets you go on, when said diet comes to an end, most are back where they started before long. Adopting a different lifestyle will set you up for success now and in the future. Changing your mindset will set you up for success not just in the health and wellness department, but in life itself. You have to commit to doing the thing you don't want to do in order to get to where you want to be. You have to give up the things that are holding you back. Cut them out of your life and replace with something better. It’s really that simple.

Make the commitment and stick to it. You’re the only one standing in your way.

What is Fire Cider?

I’m sure you’ve heard someone mention this before, or seen it at the store, but what IS Fire Cider?

The term “Fire Cider” was recently in the legal system because a Massachusetts company, Shire City Herbals, decided only they were allowed to call their product Fire Cider and tried to Trademark the name. They attempted to sue some herbalists for using this name for their products. Thankfully three spicy herbalists took a stand against this and were able to free up the long held traditional name Fire Cider for public use.

Ok, so what is Fire Cider? It’s a tonic with an apple cider vinegar base loaded with common kitchen ingredients, and herbs of choice to regain and/or maintain health.

Everyone who makes it will have a slightly different twist on their recipe. Some like to make it mild and sweet, others fiery and spicy. Some are purists and do not like to add a menagerie of ingredients.

WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

Boosting immune systems
Clearing out nasal congestion
Helping to get over an illness
General well being
Gastrointestinal problems
Heartburn
Mental clarity
Energy
And so much more depending on the ingredients infused with the cider vinegar.

Fire Cider has been passed down generation to generation, slightly changing along the way.

If you’re interested in knowing more of the story of fire cider as well as make your own with a variety of delicious recipes, I’d highly recommend supporting those who took on the legal system and freed the Fire Cider name by purchasing the book Fire Cider: 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends. It’s a wonderful book.

In Biblical Times, vinegar was enjoyed as an energizing drink, a nourishing food, and a disinfectant for wounds.

ROSEMARY’S ORIGINAL FIRE CIDER:

1/2 cup grated fresh horseradish root
1/2 cup or more chopped onion
1/4 cup or more chopped garlic
1/4 cup or more grated ginger
Cayenne pepper, fresh (chop it) or dried to taste
Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and organic)
Honey

Place the herbs in a half-gallon mason jar and add enough vinegar to cover them by 3-4 inches. Seal the jar with a tight fitting lid. Place in a warm spot and let sit for 4-6 weeks. Shaking the jar everyday or when you remember to help the maceration process.

After the 4-6 weeks, strain out the herbs into a clean bowl, squeezing as much of the goodness out with cheesecloth as you can. Warm honey so it mixes into the vinegar well and add to taste. Your fire cider would be spicy with a touch of sweetness to help balance fiery ingredients.

Bottle, label and enjoy. It will keep for several months unrefrigerated in a cool pantry, but it will last a very long time in the refrigerator.

Take a shot glass daily, dilute with water, add to sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon for a sparkling savory drink.

Take more frequently if you feel a cold coming on. 1 tsp every hour or two.

DON’T WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN?

BUY IT HERE: https://www.modern-herbal.com/the-apothecary/firecider

Transitioning To A More Natural Lifestyle

Tired of finding out about synthetic chemicals in your favorite products? Don’t like the idea of taking over the counter drugs anymore? Want to make changes to your lifestyle but aren’t quite sure how?

Hear me out. Making a lifestyle change takes work and dedication. It can also become overwhelming due to the abundance of clashing information on the internet. It’s ultimately up to you to determine what works best for your body. But here is a good place to start. I’ll be posting some blogs in the coming months that outline some changes you can adopt to start living a cleaner life. However, don’t just trust what I’m saying as the right way.

Do your own research.

The first step towards making a change is action. Start by evaluating your life: what you put in your body, what you put on your body, the cookware you use, toothpaste you brush with, chemicals you clean with, etc… Pick one area you want to start with and begin swapping out what you have with cleaner alternatives.

If you make small changes toward your goal every day, or every month, you’re going to look back after a certain period of time and see how far you’ve come. This type of lifestyle change is extremely rewarding. You deserve to live toxin free, to eat food and use products that don’t contain unnecessary chemicals, pesticides, fillers, flavors, colorings, fragrances, etc.

The trick is to start slow and continually make small changes that will make a drastic difference in the long run.

You can do this. You want to do this. And you’ll be so happy once you do.

Now of course everyone is different, our priorities vary, our drive varies and our timelines vary — that’s ok. So you broke down and ate a Snickers bar instead of an organic brand with less crap in it…. Own it, move on, and make a better decision next time.

This is your journey, there will be ups and downs.

The time will come when you’ve removed yourself from food and products containing harmful chemicals and additives for a certain period of time. You’ll wander back to old faithful and buy yourself that Snickers again only to realize how disgusting it actually tastes. The fake flavoring, fake chocolate taste, not to mention wondering how many ounces of cockroach carcass you just ate….. you’ll be running back to the organic dark chocolate brand, trust me. I’ve been there.

Did you know that per the FDA there has to be a certain amount of bugs or bug parts, rodent hair, fecal matter, etc, in your food before it's deemed unsafe? So that beloved Snickers bar can legally contain 30 or more insect parts and a lovely dash of rodent hair. Eat up!

Also, did you know that the FDA allows harmful chemical additives and pesticides in your food that are and have been banned in other countries such as Europe? Follow The Food Babe for more information on this.

Potassium bromate and azodicarbonamide (ADA): These additives are commonly added to baked goods, but neither is required, and both are banned in Europe because they may cause cancer. (https://www.cornucopia.org/2019/01/additives-banned-europe/)

There’s a lot go look out for these days. You can’t simply trust a government agency to look out for your best interests or health. The FDA is incredibly corrupt, as is the CDC, the WHO, and Big Pharma to name a few.

My hope is that through these blog posts, I empower you to take action and start looking into the items you consume on a regular basis rather than blindly consuming what is marketed toward you.

There are thousands of brands out there, but they’re all owned by a handful. Small independent companies that have values are being bought out at an alarming rate. Even some formerly trusted organic companies are now sell outs to the corporate monster, for example, Annie’s Organics is now owned by General Mills, Tom’s of Maine is owned by Colgate. And it’s not just the food industry. Cosmetic companies, supplement companies, the media… Time to wake up and start learning what the world is really about.

It’s all about money, folks. Money and power.

So vote with your money. Support your local herbalist, baker, seamstress, farmer, maker, food truck… Keep it small and keep it local.

The information I provide on my blog is based on my opinion, what has worked and works for me. I am sharing this with you to give you a path to walk down. Your opinions and choices may vary depending on what you research and learn. I am always open to new information and others opinions. If you have something you’d like to discuss shoot me an email at kimberly@modern-herbal.com or DM me on instagram @_modernherbal_