Postpartum Rice Porridge at The Birth Center of Boulder
The energy is charged, electric, yet coupled with a calmness. The metallic smell of blood fills the air, the sweet sounds of an infant exploring their new environment fill the warm room, and women gracefully bustle around me, preparing the sacred space that has just been graced with a new soul. We just witnessed birth. The birth of a mother, of a father, and of a new soul. Let that sink in for a moment - because the sheer awe of it takes my breath away every single time.
And then a familiar smell fills my nostrils and instantly I smile. The richness of the spices and the warmth of the molasses invades my being and my soul knows that I am in a safe, loving environment. Mama smells it too and she is reminded of her first time consuming this celebratory replenishing food, at the birth of her first son. The father shares that this soul food meant so much to them the first time around that sometimes they would make it at home, ‘just because’. They are excited to once again relish in its healing power, in the very room that they birthed their first son two years prior.
RECIPE:
14 cups of Water (or a rice cooker full)
1 Cup White Basmati Rice - rinsed until water runs clear
1 Cup Dark Iron rich sugar (Sucanat, Molasses or Dark Jaggery)
1/2 Cup Ghee or Toasted Sesame Oil for Vegans
2 teaspoons of Ginger
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoonBlack Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tumeric
1/4 teaspoon Cardamon
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
Using a rice cooker, place rinsed rice in the cooker. Fill cooker with water, bring to a boil and then turn rice cooker to warm. Add sugar, spices and ghee when rice is at a simmer. Let rice cook until it is thick.
Food can have astounding healing powers to the body, spirit and soul. In addition to its nourishing aspects, it has now become a traditional and familiar part of their story. A detail that will so deeply be engrained in their memories that as they move through their lives, raising their children, the moment they smell it again they will instantly be brought back to these two transformational days. Days where their worlds turned on its axis and their family grew.
This porridge has had such healing impact on me, just as a birth worker, that I have decided to incorporate it into all of my doula postpartum visits. Upon my arrival I will get the porridge cooking and while we connect, process your birth story, admire your babe and continue to nurture your postpartum period, the intoxicating aroma will start to fill the home.
IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO DOCUMENT YOUR BIRTH STORY.
Hi Friends! My name is Lindsey Eden. I am a Birth Photographer & Videographer and a Birth & Postpartum Doula serving Denver, Colorado and surrounding areas.
I am social, love connecting with new people, talking birth, laughter and will probably have my camera in hand (or close by) if we meet in person.
This work is my calling. This is my bliss. I would be honored to connect with you and support you along this journey.
