Fall Equinox 12 Ways to Celebrate Fall Joan Morais
Fall Equinox: 12 Ways to Celebrate Fall by Joan Morais Copyright 2017 Joan Morais All rights reserved. This booklet is intended for the personal use of the reader. No part of this booklet may be reproduced or distributed in any printed or electronic format without written permission from the copyright holder. Lua Publishing P.O Box 3250 Fairfield, CA 94533 Disclaimer: The information provided in this publication is the result of research and experience by Joan Morais. I have tried to be as precise as possible with the description of the ingredients and the recipes. I do not make any claims regarding any of the ingredients, recipes or medical claims. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat cure or prevent any disease. I suggest each individual to do their own additional research about the safety and storage of each ingredient and the FDA regulations for cosmetics or in other countries, the regulation for cosmetics. 2
FALL EQUINOX Fall Equinox is when the day and night are approximately equal in length. Equinox comes from the Latin words meaning, equal night. An equinox happens twice a year; fall and spring. The earth s axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun. The sun s center is in the same plane as the earth s equator; the sun shines directly on the equator. On each side of the equator, the seasons are opposite. In the northern hemisphere, it is the fall (autumnal) equinox and in the southern hemisphere, it is the spring (vernal) equinox. The fall equinox marks the first day of fall (autumn). This is a time to be thankful; reflect on your harvest and count your blessings. It is also a time to start letting go of what you no longer need and what is not working in your life, cleaning up clutter and preparing to slow down and reap the rewards of your harvest. 12 WAYS TO CELEBRATE FALL 1. Give thanks Give thanks for your health, your home, your family, your friends, your pets, food on your table, the car you drive, the clothes you wear, your computer that connects you with people all over the world, your life. 2. Thank someone who has made your life better Send a thank you card, call them on the phone, send them an email; do this while they are still alive. 3. Put a fall bouquet on your neighbor s doorstep or your coworker s desk or car Put some ribbon around some sunflowers or put them in a beautiful vase. 4. Light a gold candle and reflect on Your Harvest Think about what you have harvested in your life and the direction you are going. Write your reflections in your journal. 5. Do something creative Make soy candles to burn on the upcoming cooler and longer nights. 6. Sit outside on a beautiful fall day Notice the changing color of the leaves, the dropping of the leaves and fewer flowers. Look at how the plants are starting to let go and prepare for a rest. 7. Visit an elderly person Show your appreciation and thank them for all they have done to help the next generation. Help them know they are valued and the wisdom they hold from their life experiences is valued. Listen to their stories. 3
8. Fill Your Home With Colorful Fall Leaves or Wheat Bundle Put beautiful colorful leaves and/or a dried wheat bundle in vases around your house and bring the beauty of nature indoors. Here s a little tidbit on the wheat bundle. For centuries, during the wheat harvest at this time of year, it s been a tradition to bring some of the dried wheat from the harvest into the home for good fortune and prosperity. The dried wheat is made into weavings, wheat sheaves and other decorations. I get a wheat bundle and put it in a vase or canning jar and place it on our kitchen table. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of the harvest and the fall season. I know I am so fortunate and grateful to all the farmers and everyone involved in growing, producing and supplying beautiful grains, vegetables and fruits that are so readily available to me. 9. Create Autumn Harvest Body Oil If you have never used body oil, you are in for a treat. Your body will feel nourished. After a shower or bath, apply body oil to your moist skin. This essential oil blend is calming with a unisex scent. 2 ounces sunflower oil or grapeseed oil 8 drops sweet orange essential oil 2 drops petitgrain essential oil 10. Take Time To Sip A Cup Of Tea Create a beautiful tea time. Make tea in a handmade pottery tea pot. Drink tea from a beautiful tea cup. Put a delicious treat on a fancy plate. Sit down, relax and enjoy. Invite a friend to join you. 11. Bake Pumpkin Bread Spices uplift and when you bake the scent fills the house with a warm and comforting feeling. 12. Celebrate Your Harvest Go out to dinner or have a party with friends or family. You work hard; now is the time to go have fun and celebrate your harvest from all your hard work. 4
What are You Thankful For? What can You Let Go Of to create more room in your life to slow down and live more simply? How can you treat yourself better and feel good? Reflections 5
Pumpkin is rich with vitamins C, E & A, zinc, beta carotene, natural alpha hydroxy acid and antioxidants. It naturally exfoliates, soothes and brightens skin. Soy milk contains protein and B vitamins to nourish skin and enzymes to help dissolve dead skin cells. Brightening Pumpkin Face Mask 1 mask Ingredients: 2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin (pure) ¼ teaspoon of soymilk Want multiple glows? Make a bigger batch and store in your fridge for multiple masks throughout the week. Directions Mix your ingredients together in a small bowl and then gently apply to your face (avoiding the eye area). Leave mask on until it is dry or about 15-20 minutes (treat yourself to a foot bath while you wait). Rinse with warm water. Bask in your new glow! 6
Skin Brightening Persimmon Face Mask This persimmon mask will brighten your skin and make it feel so soft. Persimmons are packed with Vitamin A, E and carotene which assist in promoting a natural glow. Try my amazing persimmon bread recipe (below) with leftover persimmons. 1 tablespoon persimmon pulp pureed 1 teaspoon millet flour or oat flour or coconut milk powder or white clay Directions 1. Combine ingredients and mix to form a paste. 2. Use a mask brush to apply to face or massage onto the skin. 3. Allow to set on skin 10-15 minutes. 4. Rinse off with soft wash cloth and warm water. 7
As soon as the fall season arrives I want to bake anything with pumpkin in it. I love all the spices that go with pumpkin; cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients to use in baking during the fall and winter. Joan s Vegan Pumpkin Bread Preheat oven to 350F Part 1 (flax seed mixture) 1 tablespoon ground flax seed 3 tablespoons water Part 2 (dry mixture) 2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (I use organic unbromated unbleached allpurpose flour from Bob s Red Mill) 1½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon cloves ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt Part 3 (wet mixture) 2/3 cup canola oil ½ cup sugar ½ cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 ¾ cups (full) canned pumpkin (one 15 oz. can) 8
Directions Combine Part 1 ingredients (flax mixture) in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup and mix with a whisk and let sit. Combine Part 2 ingredients (dry mixture) in a medium bowl and whisk together. Combine Part 3 ingredients (wet mixture) in a medium bowl with a spatula. Add Part 1 (flax mixture) into Part 3 (wet mixture) and mix. Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well with the spatula or spoon. Pour into a greased bread pan. Bake at 350F for 55-60 minutes or until knife inserted in the middle of the bread comes out clean. Or if using the small bread pans, bake 22-28 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Direct link to recipe: http://www.joanmorais.com/blog/vegan-pumpkin-bread-recipe/ 9
Joan s Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes Makes about 10 pancakes Dry Ingredients 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons brown sugar Wet Ingredients 1½ cups plant milk (I use almond milk or soy milk) 1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin pulp 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Combine Part 1 into bowl or 32 ounce pouring measuring cup. Combine Part 2 into bowl or 16 ounce pouring measuring cup. Pour Part 2 into Part 1. In a hot skillet melt small amount coconut oil* or other oil. Pour pancake batter in circles and lightly thin with a spoon. When bubbles appear on top of pancake, flip it. Cook until cooked through. Top with bananas, walnuts and pure maple syrup. Direct link to recipe: Direct link to recipe: http://www.joanmorais.com/blog/veganpumpkin-bread-recipe/ 10
Resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/equinox http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-about-theautumnal-equinox-of-2012 http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-fall-autumnal-equinox JOAN MORAIS NATURALS Organic & Natural Body, Hair, & Skin Care Product Making Classes, Consultations, Training Manuals Website: Email: info@joanmorais.com Sign-up for our Newsletter with DIY Recipes, Inspirational Ideas and Specials!. About Joan Morais Joan Morais is a natural cosmetic formulator and instructor. She teaches classes on making natural and organic products for body, hair and skin. Joan has assisted thousands in learning the art and science of making natural products and has taught at top spas and companies. She teaches and consults with people worldwide. Some of Joan s clients have been estheticians, cosmetologists, spas and individual s creating their own product line. Joan is a certified aromatherapist and herbalist. She started her own publishing company in 2003 and is the author of many how to books including, How to Make Professional Natural Lotions and Creams. Joan s passion is to teach others holistic beauty through making professional products and create a successful product making business. Joan Morais uses high quality plant-based ingredients that promote Holistic Beauty; natural, organic and wild crafted herbs, botanical extracts, pure plant butters, vegetable oils and essential oils. The results are pure and natural products that are beneficial to the skin, and friendly to people, animals and the earth. 11