rice congee + returning to warmth

“When we follow our physiologic design of birth, there is health and wellness. We stray from the physiological design of birth (interventions and interruptions) and there is dis-ease and pathology resulting in trauma.

We have a physiological design for what our needs are in the postpartum. When we follow this design mothers and babies thrive, when we stray from this design there is postpartum dis-ease. Postpartum care is a necessity for short and long term pelvic & hormonal health.”

Credit to Rachelle Garcia Seliga

The National Library of Medicine states in Chinese philosophy, Yin and Yang are the two opposing principles whose interaction is believed to influence everything in the universe. Yin is negative, dark, feminine, and symbolizes internality and inferiority; while Yang is positive, bright and masculine, and symbolizes externality and superiority (Liu et al., 2014, 2015). If Yin and Yang are in balance, individuals will be in good health; otherwise, an imbalance will result in poor health.

During the postnatal period, it is acknowledged that a woman is in a state of extreme imbalance towards Yin, a weakened condition (Chu, 2005). Consequently, the woman should avoid exposure to more Ying, such as wind, cold water, and cold food. In contrast, she needs to eat more Yang‐related, hot protein‐rich foods that help to strengthen her body, such as fish soup and sesame oil chicken. 

Returning to warmth is a traditional practice that is found in many cultures around the world. Although beliefs and practices vary culture to culture, we see this being an important aspect of postpartum care around the world. In our western culture however, focus and traditional practices strays away from the mother and solely to the infant. When in reality there is so much healing and recovery for the mother taking place. When the physiologic needs of postpartum are not honored it leads to unrest and further imbalance.

Warmth causes tissues to expand promoting blood flow and lymph helping in healing pelvic tissue, creating oxytocin (this love hormone facilitates healing within mother and baby and family system), digestive and whole body healing. Warm food is easy to digest, warm in nature helps speed up our metabolism naturally causing warmth beneficial after months of slowed digestion during pregnancy. We want our food to move through us. Don’t want to cause constipation or difficulties. Having nutrient dense food is important as our bodies nurture our babies. In utero and through our breast milk. How do we grow our babies without depleting ourselves as mothers. Foods full of animal fats and protein.

“The postpartum time is regeneration for mothers. Physiologic postpartum care is the best way mothers are able to care for families thus leading to healing in communities and the world.” - Innate Traditions

This recipe is the perfect meal for immediate postpartum. I have all my home birth mamas gather the ingredients in the weeks leading up to birth so it can be prepared in early labor (or after the birth if it was quick). This version of the recipe was put together by Morgan, a sweet mama of two who recently rocked her first home birth. She prepared her congee as she labored peacefully birthing her baby boy not many hours later. I have been sharing this recipe and women have been loving it! The wonderful thing about congee is that the rice is gentle for digestion and it is filled with warming spices. It is warm in nature and digestion making it perfect for postpartum healing. It can stay warm all day and you can make as many batches as you desire. When I make it for women I measure with my heart and add whatever yummy spices I find in their pantry.

Rice Congee Recipe

I N G R E D I E N T S

•  4 C water
•  4 C broth (bone broth for extra protein)
•  2 tsp ginger powder
•  1 tsp cinnamon powder 
•  ½ tsp clove
•  ½ tsp turmeric powder
•  1 C basmati rice (rinsed until the water is clear)
•  1 C brown sugar (or molasses which is a good blood builder)
•  ½ C butter (or coconut/sesame oil)
•  ¾ tsp cardamom
•  ½ tsp black pepper
•  dash of cayenne if desired 

D I R E C T I O N S

This recipe can be made in the crockpot, stove top or rice cooker. For simplicity, I will share the crockpot instructions.

With the crockpot on high, add all ingredients mixing occasionally as it cooks for approximately 8 hours. When it is nice and mushy, enjoy!