fall harvest nutrition

September 26, 2025

By Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP 0 Comments Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), Chiropractic Care, Diet, El Paso TX, Gut Health, Therapy ChiroMed integrative medicine, Dr Alexander Jimenez chiropractic, El Paso holistic healthcare, fall harvest nutrition, MVA recovery natural, seasonal recipes pain relief, sports injury acupuncture

Holistic Healing ChiroMed: Chiropractic and Nutrition

El Paso’s Fall Harvest

As September and October usher in cooler days in El Paso, local farms come alive with a vibrant mix of late-summer and early fall produce. Apples, pears, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes share the spotlight with vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and leafy greens, all of which are bursting with nutrients. These seasonal treasures, found at markets like the El Paso Farmers Market, are perfect for fueling your body and supporting holistic health. At ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine Holistic Healthcare in El Paso, TX, we combine these foods with our integrative therapies to promote wellness and support recovery from injuries.

Led by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, our clinic blends chiropractic care, nurse practitioner services, naturopathy, rehabilitation, nutrition counseling, and acupuncture to address the root causes of health issues (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a). Whether you’re recovering from a motor vehicle accident (MVA), a sports injury, or chronic pain, our personalized plans utilize seasonal nutrition to support your recovery. This guide explores El Paso’s fall harvest, shares simple recipes, and highlights how ChiroMed’s holistic approach restores vitality naturally.

From picking fresh produce to visiting our clinic at 11860 Vista Del Sol Dr, Suite 128, fall is the perfect time to nourish your body and heal. Let’s dive into the season’s offerings and how they align with our mission to optimize your health.

September’s Harvest: Bridging Summer and Fall

September in El Paso offers a delightful transition. The desert sun softens, and farms yield a mix of late-summer and early fall produce. Apples, like Honeycrisp and Gala, arrive crisp and fiber-rich, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation (Orchard at the Office, n.d.). Pumpkins begin to dot fields, their beta-carotene-rich supporting tissue aiding in injury recovery, as noted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (n.d.). Sweet potatoes, rich in vitamin A, provide steady energy, while pears offer a sweet, antioxidant-rich boost to help ease swelling (Texas Real Food, n.d.a).

Vegetables shine too. Broccoli, with its high vitamin C content, supports the immune system, and carrots provide beta-carotene for healthy tissue. Leafy greens—spinach, kale—provide magnesium to relax muscles strained by injury or stress (Texas Real Food, n.d.a). Prickly pears, a local gem, linger from summer, their antioxidants aiding recovery (The Fit Cookie, n.d.).

At ChiroMed, Dr. Jimenez utilizes advanced neuromusculoskeletal imaging to diagnose issues such as spinal misalignments or nerve compression, which are common in MVAs or sports injuries. Our nutrition counseling integrates these foods to reduce inflammation, as seen in our rehabilitation protocols (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a). Grab these fresh picks at local markets to support your body’s natural healing.

October’s Abundance: Heartier Flavors for Holistic Health

October deepens El Paso’s fall harvest. Apples and pears are at their peak, making them perfect for snacks or desserts, while also supporting heart health with their fiber content (A-Z Animals, n.d.). Pumpkins dominate, their flesh ideal for soups that aid joint and skin repair, crucial for those recovering from physical trauma. Sweet potatoes remain a staple, helping to stabilize blood sugar and provide sustained energy during rehabilitation. Persimmons, with their honeyed flavor, add vitamins A and C for immune support (Mimi’s Organic Eats, n.d.).

Vegetables take center stage. Broccoli, now abundant, fights inflammation with sulforaphane. Carrots sweeten in cooler soil, boosting tissue regeneration. Leafy greens like kale, cabbage, and spinach, plus butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, pack fiber and sulfur compounds for detox and joint health (Texas Real Food, n.d.b; The Fresh Market, n.d.a). These align with ChiroMed’s naturopathic approach, using nutrition to support recovery from injuries or chronic conditions (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a).

El Paso’s fertile valleys keep these foods fresh and affordable. Dr. Jimenez’s integrative therapies, including acupuncture and massage, complement these nutrients to address the causes of pain and prevent long-term issues, as outlined in our holistic care model (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a).

Fruits for Healing: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory Power

Fall fruits are wellness allies. Apples, abundant in September, contain pectin that helps lower inflammation, supporting patients with joint or muscle pain (Orchard at the Office, n.d.). Pears, which peak in October, ease digestion and swelling, making them ideal for MVA recovery (A-Z Animals, n.d.). Pumpkins, rich in antioxidants, aid tissue repair, especially for spinal injuries from accidents (Center for Science in the Public Interest, n.d.).

Sweet potatoes fuel healing with vitamin A, while prickly pears, a desert favorite, offer hydration and antioxidants, perfect for El Paso’s active lifestyle (The Fit Cookie, n.d.). Persimmons, which ripen in October, boost immunity with their nutrient-rich profile (Mimi’s Organic Eats, n.d.). Our clinic’s nutrition counseling highlights how these fruits reduce oxidative stress, complementing therapies like acupuncture, as seen in our rehabilitation services (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a).

Dr. Jimenez’s integrative approach uses these foods to enhance outcomes for sports injuries, workplace strains, or chronic pain, preventing long-term complications through natural means.

Vegetables for Resilience: Supporting Holistic Recovery

Vegetables ground fall’s healing potential. Broccoli, starting in September, delivers sulforaphane to help reduce inflammation and pain associated with nerve or muscle strain (Texas Real Food, n.d.a). Carrots, sweeter in October, provide beta-carotene, which is vital for tissue regeneration and supports injury recovery. Leafy greens—such as kale, spinach, and cabbage—offer magnesium to help ease muscle tension, which is common in cases of chronic pain.

Butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, rich in fiber, support gut health, which our naturopathic team links to reduced inflammation (The Fresh Market, n.d.a). These veggies fit our rehabilitation plans, where nutrition complements therapies like massage for post-accident recovery (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a). Dr. Jimenez’s diagnostics, utilizing advanced imaging, ensure precise treatment, with vegetables helping to speed up natural healing.

Easy Recipes: Nourishing Meals for Holistic Wellness

At ChiroMed, we promote simple recipes using El Paso’s fall harvest to reduce inflammation and support recovery. These dishes align with our integrative medicine approach, making wellness delicious and accessible.

Healing Salads: Light and Nutrient-Rich

Start with a Pear-Kale Salad: Toss kale, sliced pears, walnuts, and goat cheese with a lemon-honey vinaigrette. Ready in 10 minutes, serves four, fights inflammation (Baylor Scott & White Health, n.d.). For variety, try a Carrot-Spinach Salad: Mix shredded carrots, spinach, and pumpkin seeds with a tahini-lemon dressing. Roast carrots at 400°F for 15 minutes first (The Full Helping, n.d.).

A Prickly Pear Salsa Salad combines tomatoes, cucumbers, prickly pears, and cilantro with a lime dressing—antioxidant-rich in just 20 minutes (The Fresh Market, n.d.b). Or go savory: Combine apples, spinach, and pecans with a yogurt-curry dressing for a quick anti-inflammatory dish (Denver Post, 2006). These support our acupuncture and massage therapies, helping to ease muscle tension.

Restorative Soups and Sides: Comfort for Healing

Soups nourish deeply. Butternut Squash Soup: Sauté onions, add cubed squash, broth, and nutmeg; simmer for 20 minutes, then blend to a smooth consistency. Serves six, aids tissue repair (Hygge at Home, n.d.). Veggie-Lentil Soup: Cook broccoli, carrots, lentils, and spices in stock for 30 minutes to boost protein (Nourish for Life, n.d.).

Roast a Recovery Veggie Tray: Toss sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli with oil, rosemary, and salt; bake at 425°F for 25 minutes (Fueling a Southern Soul, n.d.). Crispy Carrots: Slice thin, roast at 400°F for 20 minutes with thyme—beta-carotene for joint health (Project Angel Heart, n.d.). These align with our nutrition counseling for injury recovery.

Balanced Mains: Fueling Body and Mind

Sheet-Pan Healing Meal: Roast sweet potatoes, carrots, and chicken thighs with cumin at 400°F for 30 minutes. Serves four, supports muscle repair (Marley Spoon, n.d.). Sweet Potato Tacos: Roast sweet potato cubes, mix with black beans, roll in tortillas, and bake with salsa—25 minutes total (Hy-Vee, n.d.).

A Veggie Grazing Board: Arrange roasted broccoli, peppers, and carrots with prickly pear salsa—15-minute assembly (Mayuris-Jikoni, 2024). Farro Veggie Bowl: Bake squash and carrots, then toss with farro and citrus for a nutrient-dense recovery dish (Italian Food Forever, 2014). These fit our holistic approach to tissue repair and pain relief.

Treats and Drinks: Gentle Wellness Boosts

Sip Prickly Pear Lemonade: Blend the fruit, strain, and mix with lemon and honey—hydration in 10 minutes (The Fit Cookie, n.d.). Persimmon Bars: Puree the fruit, mix with oats and cinnamon, and bake for 20 minutes for an antioxidant-rich snack (inspired by Mimi’s Organic Eats, n.d.). Whipped Squash: Boil and mash with nutmeg—simple side or dessert (Taste of Home, n.d.). These support our stress management therapies, promoting emotional wellness.

ChiroMed’s Holistic Approach: Restoring Health Naturally

At ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, Dr. Jimenez and our team, including massage therapist Helen Wilmore and physical therapists Kristina Castle and Anthony Wills, offer a unique blend of chiropractic, naturopathic, and nurse practitioner services. We treat pain from MVAs, sports injuries, and workplace strains using advanced neuromusculoskeletal imaging to pinpoint issues like spinal misalignments or nerve compression (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a).

Our personalized plans combine gentle chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture to improve blood flow, massage for tissue relief, and nutrition counseling to reduce inflammation. For MVA-related injuries, we provide detailed documentation to meet legal needs, ensuring patients can focus on their healing. Sports injuries benefit from our integrative approach, as seen in our rehabilitation services, while chronic pain cases use nutrition and exercise to prevent long-term issues.

Patient testimonials, such as those praising our comfortable clinic and licensed therapists, highlight the regained mobility and pain relief (ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, n.d.a). Our nutrition counseling incorporates fall produce to enhance outcomes, aligning with our mission to address root causes and promote holistic wellness. Call (915) 412-6680 or email support@chiromed.com to start your journey.

Fall’s Role in Holistic Wellness

El Paso’s fall harvest fuels recovery and vitality. Pumpkins, greens, and fruits reduce inflammation, complementing ChiroMed’s integrative therapies. From market to table to clinic, these steps restore health naturally. Embrace the season, eat fresh, and let us guide your path to wellness.