A sitting month recipe

Adzuki bean soup recipe

For generations, women in Asia have observed the tradition of the Sitting Month as  a time to heal from the exhaustion of labor and delivery.  This is the time when they give themselves over completely to be cared for by family members or confinement centers. No more doing dishes, cooking for family members, or picking up dirty socks. This window of recovery is cherished as an opportunity for the body to repair itself and conjure new resilience to fight illness and detoxify. Postpartum is something women actuallly look forward to, as a way to start over with new reserves and strength. The first couple weeks postpartum, as the uterus continues to contract and purge old blood and tissue, is an excellent time to support detoxification.

Adzuki bean soup is a traditional Sitting Month recipe that can both detoxify and nourish the body. The adzuki bean is packed with protein, abundant in micronutrients and minerals like zinc, molybdenum, and magnesium, and full of fiber to help with elimination. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, adzukis have healing properties that support the kidneys, bladder and reproductive function. These little red beans also  aid the body in digestion and contribute to growth and repair. It’s no wonder these beans are an important part of  postpartum recovery.

Adzukis are warming and when combined in this traditional soup recipe, they help the body circulate blood and detoxify the tissues. The addition of ginger and citrus peel makes this nutrient dense soup easy to digest. Great to consume in the first and second weeks after childbirth.

“— 1 c adzuki beans
— 4 c filtered water
— 6-8 thin slices ginger
— 6 grams dried citrus peel
— 2 Tbsp honey

Directions:
Soak beans overnight in filtered water. Drain liquid and add beans to pot. Fill with water and bring to boil. Once boiling turn down the heat and simmer for 2 hours. Add ginger in the last 30 min of cooking. Turn off heat, add honey and stir to combine. Enjoy warm.”