Harvesting Gratitude
Harvesting Gratitude
Nourishing Body and Spirit Through Seasonal Eating
Welcome to the Michelle Seguin MD newsletter. I’m Dr. Michelle—thank you for being a part of this community! Today, I’ll be sharing my reflections on gratitude and nourishment as we transition into this beautiful autumn season.
Hello friends,
As the crisp November air settles in, I’m excited to welcome you to the new weekly newsletter format. This month, I’ll share reflections and practices centered around gratitude, a theme that feels especially grounding as we transition toward the end of the year. If you missed last week’s updates on the new format, you can catch up here.
This week, I’m inviting you into a personal reflection on gratitude—how it’s woven into my life and how you can gently incorporate it into yours. As we move into this season of gathering and giving thanks, I hope these thoughts inspire you to find moments of stillness and appreciation in your own routines.
With gratitude always,
Dr. Michelle
Practicing Gratitude and Nourishment
Seated in front of a glowing fire at the lodge, surrounded by women each on their own path of reconnection, I felt a deep, quiet sense of gratitude—not just for the chance to speak, but for the presence and warmth of each person gathered there.
In late October, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at a beautiful retreat nestled in the woods of central Upper Michigan. The theme of my talk was “From Harvest to Health,” where we explored the importance of seasonal eating. Speaking to a group of women, each gathered to reconnect with themselves and with nature, felt sacred. This was a co-created space—a space where we could slow down, reflect, and nourish not only our bodies but also our minds and hearts.
On the drive over, I realized that returning to this tiny town felt like coming full circle. The last time I was here, I was a third-year medical student on a family medicine outreach clinic. I’ll never forget the attending I worked with—he spoke Finnish to a few patients, fostering a cultural connection that felt rare and remarkable. (While I don’t have a reference handy, I’ve been told that Upper Michigan has the largest Finnish population outside of Finland.) Returning not as a medical student, but as a physician sharing how food can serve as a conduit for connection, felt like coming back with a renewed sense of purpose—my purpose.
Though I had visited the town before, this was my first time at the lodge. Nestled between a serene inland lake and dense autumn forest, it invited a sense of quiet reverence. Inside, the warmth of the fire mirrored the warmth of our gathering, wrapping us up in connection. I noticed that this simple act of gathering, of pausing together, became its own kind of nourishment—something that fills us in ways that food alone can’t. Gathering for a seasonal meal creates a beautiful synergy, where the act of sharing food aligns with the spirit of the season, nourishing both body and soul.
Eating with the seasons is one way to ground ourselves in the present. When we eat seasonally, we’re embracing what nature gives us at this very moment. This Fall, as I savor the earthy richness of roasted squash or the warmth of a ginger-spiced broth, I’m reminded of the season’s gifts and the gratitude they inspire. Autumn’s harvest offers us grounding, comforting foods that nourish us from the inside out, helping us stay connected to this season of reflection and gratitude.
To me, gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action, something we practice daily. It’s a way to slow down, to ground ourselves, and to find joy in the little things—even when things get hard. I shared with the women at the retreat that nourishment isn’t just about what we eat; it’s about how we nurture our hearts and spirits too.
Finding Your Gratitude Practice
As we move into November and the holiday season, I encourage you to find small moments of gratitude in your everyday life. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated—maybe it’s a quiet morning with a warm cup of tea, a walk through the crisp autumn leaves, or simply taking a deep breath before starting your day. Each small act of gratitude has the power to ground you, to bring you a little peace, and over time, to become a daily habit that can help shift your mindset and ease the stresses of life.
While we embrace the changing seasons, let’s also embrace the idea of nourishment—nourishing our bodies with seasonal foods, but also nourishing our hearts with gratitude. Together, these practices create a foundation for true wellness, grounding us in nature’s rhythm and in the quiet, simple moments of daily life.
Here are a few simple ways to begin incorporating gratitude and seasonal mindfulness into your daily life:
Create a Gratitude Ritual: Set aside a few moments each day to reflect on one thing you're grateful for. Write it down, say it out loud, or simply hold it in your heart.
Seasonal Recipe Exploration: Prepare a meal that highlights autumn ingredients like squash, root vegetables, or warming spices. Notice how these foods make you feel—grounded, connected, and nourished.
Mindful Eating Practice: The next time you sit down for a meal, pause. Take a deep breath, express gratitude for the food in front of you, and savor each bite without distraction.
Nature’s Gratitude Walk: Go for a walk, observing the changes in the season around you. Reflect on one thing you’re grateful for with each step, connecting with the rhythm of the natural world.
Journal Reflection: Take a few minutes to write down a meaningful experience from this fall season. Reflect on what it taught you about gratitude, nourishment, or slowing down.
What are you noticing in the season right now? I’d love to hear what little acts of gratitude have brought you peace lately.
A special thank you to Fresh Coast Yoga and Pinecrest Northwoods for creating the beautiful space that made this retreat so meaningful. If you're interested in learning more about their offerings, I encourage you to check them out! Fresh Coast Yoga offers inspiring classes for all levels, while Pinecrest Northwoods provides a serene, cozy retreat setting perfect for reconnecting with nature.
Introducing My Seasonal Logbook
In the spirit of slowing down and deepening our connection with nature, I’m excited to share glimpses of my seasonal logbook with you each month. These reflections are written during quiet moments in our cabin, wandering through the garden, or simply observing the changing landscape around my property. Each entry captures a small window into the rhythm of the seasons as I experience them—moments of grounding, beauty, and stillness. I hope they inspire you to pause, notice, and connect with the subtle shifts in your own surroundings, honoring the beauty of each season as it unfolds.
11/7/24
42°F, cool, gray November morning just before daybreak. Damp earth underfoot, grounding me with every step. Silence, broken only by the gentle ripples of the stream outside my cabin window. Fingers wrap around a warm coffee mug, steam rising to meet the chill in the air. Today, I’ll let myself match the stillness around me. Today, I honor this beautiful pause—this most necessary quiet.
Wishing you a November filled with simple, beautiful moments. Let’s savor them together. See you next week!
With love and care,
Dr. Michelle
Physician, Gardener, Home Cook, and Forever Curious
P.S. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, please consider sharing it with a home cook, gardener, or nature lover in your life. Together, we can inspire more people to embrace the beauty of seasonal living.
Here are my most recent Substack sharings:
A New Season, A New Rhythm: Introducing a Weekly Newsletter format just for you!
La Dolce Vita: Lessons in Slow Living from the Tuscan Countryside
Back to my Roots: Garden musings and important practice update!