Sober Ways to Have Fun This Fall

Fall is almost here – even if it still feels like summer – and it’s the perfect time to have some sober, seasonal fun. Here’s a list of ideas to get you started.

1. Take advantage of seasonal eats. Fall is a time for “pumpkin everything” but that doesn't have to mean indulging in pumpkin pies and calorie-laden lattes and ice cream. Pumpkin is a real super food, loaded with immune-boosting vitamin A and filling fiber. Add it to smoothies, oatmeal, chili, soup or homemade hummus. And don’t forget about the seasonal apples, squash, artichokes, beets and lima beans. 
2. Plan a pumpkin picking trip. Gather some friends and go to a nearby pumpkin patch like the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch. Pick out a pumpkin to paint or carve. And don’t forget to roast the seeds for a healthy treat. 
3. Start a new book. Now that you’ve completed your summer reading list, why not add a few selects to curl up with for fall. Reading is a great year-round activity to stave off boredom and stress during recovery. 
4. Check out a fall festival. Enjoy a day of crafts, food booths, cook-offs, pie-eating contests and music – sober fun! Just be careful not to choose a festival that focuses on alcohol as this can be a trigger. 
5. Take a hike. Fall is the perfect time to take a hike and enjoy the offerings of Mother Nature. There are some gorgeous trails throughout Orange County, including Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Caspers Wilderness Park, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and Alta Laguna Park. Bring along a good friend for company as well as water and a healthy snack so you can have fun exploring the trails for hours.
6. Try your hand at knitting. Autumn is the perfect time to learn how to knit or crochet. The repetitive action can induce a relaxed state similar to what's experienced during meditation and yoga. In fact, knitting has been study-proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Plus, the tangible product (aka a scarf or blanket) will be a great boost to your self-esteem.  

Autumn at Rising Roads Recovery

Make fall the season you decide to embark on a path toward lasting sobriety. At Rising Roads, we offer our female clients a variety of addiction treatment programs that support their recovery and nurture their mind, body and soul. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love – call us toll-free today: 866-746-1558.

5 Fall Foods to Add to Your Recovery Diet

Fall is perhaps the perfect season to head to your local farmer’s market and load up on some of the season’s nutrient-packed produce. And it’s not just about pumpkin (which does pack a host of health benefits) – but a variety of fruits and vegetables that can help reenergize and rejuvenate your body to do the hard work of recovery. Plus, they taste great! 

Here are a few fall favorites to add to your recovery diet:

1. Apples: One crunchy, yummy apple packs roughly 20 percent of your daily fiber – if you eat the skin, that is – so it’s the perfect food to keep your regular and fend off any food cravings throughout the day. Plus, an apple is bursting with immune-boosting vitamin C.
2. Beets: Sweet and earthy beets boast vitamin C and fiber as well as essential minerals like potassium (for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (good for your bones, liver and kidneys). 
3. Artichokes: From the leaves to the heart, the humble artichoke is a nutrient powerhouse full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin K (for brain and bone health), folic acid and potassium (for blood pressure).
4. Brussels sprouts: Each mini cabbage is full of antioxidants, vitamin K and C, folate and filling fiber. Plus, they deliver lutein and zeazanthin, known for their age-fighting properties.
5. Pomegranates: These powerful little bulbs have a short season but a long list of health benefits, including protection against certain cancers and Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Plus, pomegranates have more antioxidants than green tea.

Let Us Fuel Your Recovery
Rising Roads offers weekly nutrition classes, in addition to shopping preparation and cooking classes. The camaraderie of cooking together, gaining new skills, learning new recipes and enjoying the process is a positive move forward. To learn more, call today: 866-746-1558.