Photo by Louise Hagger
Winter is upon us. As we withdraw to the warmth of our houses, we should keep in mind that the weather isn’t the only thing that we should adjust during this season.
Just as the Sun goes to bed earlier in Winter, so to speak, and gets up later, so too do we need more rest in Winter than the rest of the year. What we eat should also reflect this most inward-focused season of the year.
One of the best things to eat year-round, but especially in Winter is a beef bone broth congee (porridge). The core ingredients are beef bone broth (the real stuff, not powder), and black rice. Add 1 cup of rice to 6 cups of liquid (beef bone broth/water) and cook it in a crockpot overnight (at least 6 hours). Cook at night and eat in the morning, or cook it all day and have it at night. You can add anything else you want to this for flavor or variety, but that foundation needs to stay the same for its benefit.
The magic of this congee recipe is to nourish the Blood (bones) and strengthen Kidney Yin (adrenals). These are aspects of our body that happen to lie at the innermost part of our anatomy (Yin), unlike skin which is the most outward (Yang). The concept of Yin shows up as stillness, quiet and great potential, which resonates with Winter as the most Yin season of the year with those same characteristics (in our region of the world anyway).
Let’s go back and unpack the benefits of this beef bone broth congee again: Blood in Chinese Medicine houses the emotions and nourishing the Blood can help us feel more grounded, less anxious, and more like “our self.” Kidney Yin is the springboard for the energy gets us through the day as well as aiding in all homeostasis of the body, and when it is strengthened we have abundant vitality and energy through the day.
The great potential that this congee provides is that Blood and Kidney Yin are two of the most important aspects in conceiving a baby, whether natural or assisted. So when you eat this congee regularly, you are unlocking the great potential to aid in conceiving a baby. In my capacity as a Fertility and Women’s Health specialist I’ve experienced the joy of seeing many become successfully pregnant, and there seems to be a strong positive correlation for those that eat this congee regularly and that outcome.
As you eat this warm, hearty porridge, think about the great potential you are nourishing. Whether it’s the desire to create literal life out of Winter like a personal Spring, or whether it’s to have the energy, vitality and direction to achieve other goals in the coming year–either way this congee may be the boon you need.
