2017 -Pilates- Stomach Flu – Indian Rice Pudding

 

2017 -Pilates- Stomach Flu – Indian Rice Pudding 

Well here we are in 2017 and intuitively I knew I had to make some changes. Eating chocolate covered almonds and raisins by the dozen every night was throwing my system out of whack. Bill finally took charge and removed the remains of the two large containers that I had bought for the holidays on that dreaded trip to Costco. 

 So January 2nd I was ready for my first step and made the call and booked a pilates session for the 6th with a wonderful teacher who patiently showed me the ropes and explained the principles and origins behind pilates. I was intimidated at first when I saw the reformers and my first thought was “this might not be for me.” I’m not good with machines or equipment. But I continued onto the bench and did as instructed and felt darn good after the first session and felt my body align.  

Next day I did the mat class and that proved to be a challenge —  even the breathing part for god’s sake — and I ached the following day. The rain came upon us again, in the desert that never rains, and I took myself to the second pilates session. As the lesson progressed I started to listen and feel my body, and I relaxed into it.  I have to say there is something kind of kinky about the stirrups with the furry foot holders and I suppressed a laugh as I wiggled my foot into the strap and continued. My body responded well to the gently movements and I felt a happy sigh from deep within.

The night before the 3rd class I got violently ill and threw up all night long.  Wretched weak and exhausted, I called and cancelled my next appointment and took to bed. I couldn’t eat a thing and could barely sip water.  Stomach flu had found me and there is not much you can do but ride it out. Bill brought me a few slices of banana and a couple of crackers that I tentatively ate and a minute later I was holding onto the porcelain god for dear life. Bill had to leave for LA to do some photo shoots so I was on my own with Airbnb guests out in the Casita. I crawled out of bed and made a plain veggie broth and ate some, but it passed through at high speed and took it’s exit from the other end of my anatomy. So I abstained from trying to eat and listened to my gut.

With an empty belly and fits of parched sleep throughout the day and night, I believe I was astral traveling, somewhere in space in the future. I woke up feeling calm and hungry, I showered and made my way to the kitchen, pulled out some basmati rice, a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, golden raisins and some almond milk and made a scented rice pudding that brought comfort to my belly and didn’t come back to haunt me. My home cure.

I wonder what different cultures eat for stomach flu or food poisoning. My mother made a traditional  creamy rice pudding using whole milk that was comfort on a spoon and it took a couple of hours or so on the stove top. The rice breaks down in a thick creamy sauce.

I used almond milk this time because I wanted to stay away from dairy till I am well again. It is not quite the same pudding in a sense, but delicious in it’s own way.

What you need  – 4 small portions                                        

• 3 oz basmati rice   
• 4 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cardamons crushed
• 4 cups organic whole milk or almond milk
• 2 0z raisins  
• 2 0z brown sugar  (optional)
• 1 oz chopped almonds
• couple drops of rose water

What you do

1. Rinse rice well pop into a pot and cover with water and bring to boil.
2. Add the cinnamon and cloves and boil gently for 20 minute, keep your eye on the water level add more if needed.
3. When rice is soft, drain off water if any and add milk or almond milk and bring to a gentle boil again.
4. Add cardamon and sugar if using and stir well, make sure the rice does not stick to the pot.
5.  when the rice begins to thicken takes about 40 minutes add raisins and almonds and stir.
6. Cover pan and simmer for 30 minutes the add rose water.
7. Pour into small serving dishes allow to cool and put into the fridge to chill before serving.

Or serve it warm if you prefer.