Sweet Rice Pudding for Postpartum
A nourishing and easy to digest poridge recipe for postpartum mamas.
Photo credit: Charles Chen/Unsplash
This recipe is from the book Nourishing Newborn Mothers
This is a blood building staple for new mothers, which gives you access to instant accessible energy. This dish can be made ahead of time, stored in the fridge and eaten as you wish, throughout the day.
This porridge is an Ayurvedic recipe. In Ayurveda we nurture the mother with as much heavy, warm, oily, smooth, and stable qualities as possible. Read more about the Ayurveda philosophy below.
Ayurveda is not of my culture, so I am in deep gratitude to have access to this beautiful medicine. I have received a number of hours training in this philosophy and love to share this knowledge of healing with my clients. Bowing in deep honor to the original keepers and teachers of this ancient tradition.
Ayurveda is the science of life. It operates closely to the philosophy of MTM (Mexican Traditional Medicine).
There are certain daily practices that are suggested to maintain balance within the body system. There's a time for warming and cooling foods, depending on what the body is requesting.
During the postpartum period, it is suggested to provide the body with as much warmth as possible. The mother is full of the mobile, light, dry, and cold qualities after the loss of energy and blood and fluids, not to mention the loss of a huge space in the abdomen (previously occupied by the baby).
During major transitions in life, it is important to monitor the body and its needs. Some life experiences deplete our nutrients and cause imbalance if not replenished. for more information about Ayurveda or Mexican Traditional Medicine, visit my previous journal entry to learn more.
The spices used in this recipe are warming and create heat in the body. The spices also have anti-inflammatory qualities which reduce swelling in the body along with antimicrobial properties that encourages healing in the body, fighting off any infection that may be present.
Sweet Rice Pudding Recipe:
Photo credit: Svitlana/Unsplash
Note: Food is expensive, especially when it’s organic. If you are able to purchase any of these items in organic form, that will help your body heal at a faster rate. But, please don’t stress if organic is not currently in your budget, you will still receive the warming and nourishing qualities of these porridge if you make it with what you have on hand.
3 cups water
2 tsp fresh grated ginger
⅔ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cardamom
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 cup plant-based milk
1. Wash rice under running water until water is clear. In a medium saucepan bring water and rice to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until it begins to thicken, about 30 minutes.
2. Add jaggery, spices, ghee, and salt; stir and continue cooking. If porridge is too thick you might need to add 1 cup of water at this point.
3. Continue to cook slowly, stirring when needed; when porridge has a gelatinous consistency add milk. Cook a few more minutes to thicken, then serve warm with extra ghee and jaggery or with a couple of dates.
Enjoy!
Amanda