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03/26/2020 12:01 AMStay calm? Yeah, right. How do you stay calm when it seems the whole world is going crazy?
Well, we have an expert for that. Here are some tips from Alicia DeMartin, MSOM, LAc, a licensed acupuncturist at Privé-Swiss Wellness in Connecticut, on keeping calm and supporting what she calls “righteous chi,” which she also explains.
“Qi or chi is a term used often by Chinese medicine practitioners. It is difficult to translate into English, but can be considered the energy that makes us alive,” she says. “Zheng Qi is a subcategory also known as ‘righteous qi’ and is a general term for the strength of the immune system that protects the body from external pathogens. This is contrasted with the strength of the pathogen. When in battle against a strong pathogen, we need to be armed with a strong Zheng Qi.”
Fortunately, she says, there are ways to support Zheng Qi while at home by focusing on a healthy environment, a healthy atmosphere, and righteousness. In many ways, it’s all about maintaining a balance.
“Maintain balance between movement and rest, sleep, and activity. Preserve your body’s warmth and energy by slowing down, staying warm,” she says. “Nourish your body by eating warm, easily digested meals like soups and stews. Try making congee, Chinese medicine’s comforting, nourishing rice soup. Do your best to maintain positive thoughts, and a restful home environment. Burn beeswax candles. Force flowering branches clipped from your yard. Bring the first daffodils in from outside to beautify your space. Play music. Read. Nourish yourself and others with loving connections even when physically isolated. Call a supportive friend or family member. Offer your support to others who are scared and anxious, and remember ‘Keep Calm and Support Righteous Chi!’ We are all in this together.”
If you’ve never made congee, the classic Chinese rice porridge is easy and delicious, and easy to make with shelf staples. You basically boil rice in a lot of water until it’s almost like a pudding, adding whatever aromatics you would like. Here’s a recipe from The Spruce Eats.
Congee
Adapted from a recipe on The Spruce Eats
Ingredients
¾ cup long grain rice
9 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
Optional ingredients, see below
Directions
Gather the ingredients. In a large pot, bring the water and rice to a boil. After it comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low. Place the lid on the pot, tilting it to allow the steam to escape. Cook on medium-low to low heat, stirring occasionally until the rice has the thick, creamy texture of a porridge. This can take one to two hours. Add more water if it gets too thick. Add the salt, taste, and add any seasonings if desired.
Garnishes can include crushed peanuts, soy sauce, minced ginger, mushrooms (Shiitakes are particularly good), meat, fish, vegetables, herbs, tofu, shredded lotus root, gingko nuts. Or you can make a sweet version with raisins, other dried fruit, or sugar.
Visit thespruceeats.com to find out several other variations, including one that uses frozen rice.