#NationalPorridgeWeek
This week (7th to 13th of October) is dedicated to porridge, a beloved meal for many.
Warm and delicious for colder days, most of us feel good right after a nice porridge.
Do you feel better after having a porridge?
Why?
Is it texture? Its Smell? Its Warmth? ItsTaste? What are its colours when prepared with many toppings?
Many senses can be involved in preparing and eating porridge, from taste and smell to sight and touch, even hearing when it is being cooked in the pot, and interoception, when you feel good after having your favourite one.
We invite you to think about what you feel after having a porridge.
Porridge can be prepared in numerous creative ways…from simple to more elaborated.
Please share your special recipe with us and your sensations about it! Here are some of the great recipes of Asi-Wise people; check them out:
Here are some of the “porridge eaters” comments related to their sensations during and after having this food that usually brings well-being…
The Wisdom of Porridge…
In South Africa, there is a saying that “magies vol, ogies toe.” This intriguing phrase speaks to the importance of feeling satisfied and content, like having a full belly of porridge. The idea in this saying is “tummy full, eyes shut” – you feel grounded, relaxed, and at peace. That warm, comfy feeling of satiety is what this saying celebrates. It’s a reminder to savour the simple pleasures in life rather than always striving and working. Porridge, with its nourishing, hearty qualities, embodies this sentiment. It’s a dish that can provide a sense of fullness and comfort, allowing you to feel truly satisfied. In our fast-paced world, reflecting on the wisdom contained in this South African proverb is valuable. We could all benefit from taking a moment to appreciate the joy of a full belly and letting our eyes close in contentment. After all, sometimes the best work we can do is simply allowing ourselves to be full.
Kath Smith, OT and Proud to be a Saffa
Ah, porridge! That humble, ancient dish, beloved by Vikings and survivalists alike, yet here I am, elevating it to a culinary and sensory expedition that I dare say rivals a Michelin-starred adventure! This morning, I took a spoonful of porridge adorned with cinnamon, honey, and berries, and my senses were immediately thrown into a whirlwind of sensations.
The porridge, initially, was like a warm hug from an overly affectionate teddy bear—soft, cozy, and, let’s be honest, a little clingy. But as I braced myself for the first bite, a heavenly cloud of cinnamon gently punched me in the nose, whispering, “Hey, we’re spicing things up today!” It wasn’t aggressive, but it was assertive, like the grandma who insists you eat three more cookies before you leave.
Then came the honey. Oh, the honey! A golden ribbon of liquid joy that slithered through the oats, coating every surface like it was on a mission from the sweetness gods. It’s like nature’s version of caramel, but classier. As it hit my tongue, it was as if I’d been transported to a bee’s utopia—where the air is made of sunshine, and flowers are constantly high-fiving each other.
And then, just when my taste buds thought they had seen it all, BOOM! The berries. Little explosions of tart and sweet chaos—tiny fruit ninjas hiding in the porridge. The raspberries were like fireworks, while the blueberries were mellow bursts of “calm down, let’s enjoy this.” They added a texture like soft little orbs of wonder, a contrast to the creamy oats that kept my mouth guessing.
My sensory experience was an odyssey comfort, spice, sweetness, and tang all in one bowl. My brain was screaming, “More!” while my stomach was saying, “Slow down, this is breakfast, not an Olympic event.”
The mouthfeel was an adventure in itself warm, smooth oats hugging the tongue, with little bursts of crunchy cinnamon and the silkiness of honey running through it all. It was like a symphony where the violins were made of oats, the percussion was provided by berries, and the conductor, naturally, was a spoon.
So, there you have it my scientific breakdown of porridge: a swirling vortex of sensory delight that not only nourishes the body but also takes the mind on a rollercoaster of flavors and textures. I didn’t just eat breakfast; I experienced it.
Ammar, OT
Please, share it with us!
Related to this, FareShare brings a really interesting initiative. This campaign consists of distributing good-to-eat food, which otherwise goes to waste, to people who need it in charities.
