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I had an extraordinary amount of energy yesterday. I walked 15,967 steps, I took a dip in the cold sea, and I trained for an hour with my trainer - plus, I didn't even sleep well the night before.

After a workout, I am often pretty tired and need to relax a bit, but not yesterday. I was full of vim and vigor all day.

So what was different yesterday? I'm thinking of one of the following or maybe the combination of the three.

I started my day like this:

Had turmeric Congee for breakfast.
Had a little shake with a scoop of collagen powder.
Had that skinny dip twice in icy seawater.

The new thing was the congee, a porridge-like dish that, to my surprise, was a wonderful thing to eat for breakfast.
Congee is pure comfort food, it turns out - especially on a cold and tough day.

The Health Benefits Of Congee

I talk and write a lot about the gut and how to get it healthy, whether it's the healing of the gut lining, what fermented foods to eat, or what strain of probiotics are the best. Because a healthy gut is essential for your whole body-health, immune system, and mental well-being.

You might not think of rice porridge as a health-food - and certainly not on the scale of the green veggie juice. Still, congee is an ancient remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a troubled or tuckered-out digestive system.

According to TCM, this simple porridge is easily digested and assimilated. It harmonizes digestion and supplements blood and qi (life energy). Congee can relieve inflammation and nourish the immune system.

This porridge-like dish is warming and nourishing and perfect for feeling dry, depleted, recovering from being under the weather, or having a hangover.

What is Congee?

You typically make congee with rice and other grains and legumes.

The rice is cooked with a much higher water ratio to grain and simmered until mush, makes it easy to digest, incredibly nourishing for the GI tract, and hydrating.

If you make your congee with chicken stock or bone broth, it can even be a rich source of collagen - the protein required to repair, strengthen, and heal the lining of the GI tract.

Because congee is so versatile, it can be packed full of beneficial herbs and topped with savory or sweet toppings.

This turmeric congee recipe has a lovely golden color while also adding the benefits of a supportive herb for joint mobility. I found the recipe in The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook.

Turmeric Congee Recipe

Makes about 8 cups.

Ingredients

1 cup organic basmati, brown, or jasmine rice
6-8 cups water or broth
1/2 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder

Directions

Add the rice, water, and turmeric to a medium pot. Put the lid on.
Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to a low simmer for about an hour.
Add more liquid if needed.
Serve hot in bowls
Add your favorite toppings.

Congee Toppings

Depending on the season, you can make congee more or less warming just by switching up the toppings and spices you add.

Warming Toppings

For the cooler months: Try ginger, chilies, or garlic as herbal toppings in the

Cooling Toppings

For the warmer months: Try fresh herbs like cilantro, dill, or mint.

Sweet Toppings

For those who need more of the moistening water element, the sweet option is excellent.

Toasted nuts or seeds, such as walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds
Seasonal berries and sliced fruits (can be stewed), such as persimmon, apple, or pear
A drizzle of maple syrup or honey
Toasted coconut flakes
Ground spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger.