Two Scoops of Ice Cream or Rice?

Visited a girlfriend of mine who just gave birth to a scrumptious lil’ girl…big shout-out to Ava…welcome baby! When I tickled her chin, her dimples would pop-out…too adorable! As for mom, doing phenomenal, couldn’t ask for a better delivery.

Although, baby and mom are doing well, it’s important for mom and anyone recovering from any post-operative condition, to nourish their energy (Qi) and blood. Surgery is literally a lot of work for the person lying on the operating table; it’s stressful on the body, and blood loss may occur as well as energy loss. A great way to enable the healing process to be smoother and quicker is to eat foods warm or neutral in chemistry. These foods strengthen the body’s constitution as well as allow the body to do what it does best, heal itself.

White rice is neutral in chemistry and when well-cooked or made into a soup has the amazing quality of strengthening one’s energy, nourishing the digestive system, and warming the body. Oatmeal makes for a perfect first-meal when coming out of surgery; it strengthens the immune system, prevents infections, and is also warming to the body.

For those who enjoy eating raw fruits and vegetables, unfortunately, for the meantime make sure all foods are cooked; steam, boil, stir-fry, stew, bake. Raw foods consume a lot of the body’s energy and warmth, and take longer to digest. Avoid cold beverages, especially putting ice cubes in your drink; this generates a cold internal body temperature which slows down a healing process.

There’s all whole range of foods that fall in the categories of cold, warm, and neutral. Please, shoot me an email anytime for all questions; even the slightest ponder… halla back! I want the community of planet earth, who undergo surgery, to have a shorter recovery time so that they may return to life’s most precious activity, play!

Ode to Oats

Never thought I’d be writing a topic on food, although it is my first love; thinking about it all the time, always making way to eat, defending it when under fire. Putting it in writing was never foreseen, yet here I am eager to share my ‘breakfast of champions’.

About three days out of the work week, I whip-up a hearty bowl of oatmeal and fruit. I know, can sound bland, boring, and a short lived project, I know. My initial reason for eating this was not for its gourmet quality but for its holistic nutritional value. Six months later, I’m still finding it as tasty and satisfying as ever!

My reason for eating oats was for its warming quality. It doesn’t pull from my own body’s energy to have to warm it up, and I am sustained with enough energy for half the day or until lunch time. It’s healing properties range from boosting Qi, and strengthening the digestive system, to reducing cholesterol, and building up the immune system.

I keep things interesting by adding different kinds of fruits each time and even sometimes make it a savory dish by adding veggies. Below is my easy-breezy recipe. Enjoy, and make it as interesting for yourself as I do! Oh, and icing on the cake?...it keeps me regular!

Easy-breezy Oatmeal

3 cups water

¼ cup rolled oats

Fruits

Add water and oats to a medium sized pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to very low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Add or reduce the amount of water depending on how thin or thick you like your oatmeal. I like to simmer it a little while longer to obtain a thicker consistency. After 15-20 minutes has passed or the consistency desired has been reached, throw in some sliced fruit and cook for another 5-10 minutes. This allows the fruit to warm up and sweeten the oats. Bon A Petite!