Warm Breakfasts
I often speak with my patients about the importance of eating warm breakfasts. In Chinese medicine, one of the ways we generate qi (“chee”) in our bodies is by the foods we eat. When you wake in the morning and begin your day, it is important to replenish your system with an appropriate meal. Usually my patients will say they are too rushed in the morning and barely have time for their coffee. I am suggesting trying something new, and perhaps changing a pattern. Allow yourself some extra time to prepare a warm breakfast. This will involve adjusting your morning routine so that you take some time for yourself and don’t rush out the door. The net gain is starting your day off with adequate energy, which will last the entire day, as well as decreasing your stress levels. Warm meals also ease the digestion process, whereas cold meals tend to cause qi stagnation in the middle (the abdominal region).
Below is a warm breakfast recipe I would like to pass on to you from one of my teachers. (I have modified the preparation process slightly.) This rice and egg dish is one I often recommend to my patients. The rice takes the longest to cook (about 20 minutes in an automatic rice cooker), so I do recommend getting that started when you wake up. By the time you are up and ready for work, the rice will be done and you can cook the rice and eggs together.
Warm Rice and Egg Breakfast (serves one):
· In a rice cooker, measure one cup of rice with water. (If you don’t have a rice cooker, prepare your rice by boiling water in a pot.)
· Once the rice is cooked, add some cooking oil to a pan on high heat.
· Crack one egg into the pan. With chopsticks, stir the egg, breaking the yolk.
· Once the egg appears adequately scrambled, add your rice, as much as you like.
· Using the chopsticks, stir the rice and egg, mixing them together in the pan.
· Add a touch of low-sodium soy sauce, and stir all ingredients together.
Serve and enjoy!
This meal is wonderful with green tea!
—Inger