Today is the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
"Little one, little one, don't be greedy—
Once Laba passes, New Year’s here!"
This means the prelude to the Spring Festival has already begun.
"The seventh and eighth of the twelfth month are so cold that your jaw might freeze off."
During the harsh winter, a steaming pot of Laba congee not only warms the body and drives away the cold but also carries wishes for a happy life.
Traditional Laba congee is often cooked with red rice, symbolizing a prosperous life. The surface is sprinkled with assorted dried fruits and grains: melon seeds, almonds, walnuts, longan, raisins, goji berries, pine nuts, lotus seeds, and more. Slowly simmered, it becomes a sweet, thick, and heartwarming porridge that comforts both the stomach and the soul.
For the Elderly
Add more soybeans, lotus seeds, chestnuts, and walnut kernels.
Lotus seeds calm the nerves, chestnuts nourish the kidneys, and walnuts boost brain health.Soybeans are rich in calcium and isoflavones. Paired with vitamin D-rich ingredients, they help prevent osteoporosis.
For Young and Middle-Aged Adults
Add more yellow corn, millet, glutinous millet, purple rice, black beans, etc.
Rich in lutein, anthocyanins, vitamin E, and B vitamins.Add some goji berries to nourish the liver, improve vision, and relieve eye strain.
For Children
Use less sugar and chop nuts finely.
Add crushed pine nuts, raisins, walnut kernels, etc.
This prevents choking while retaining nutrition and fun.
Laba is also the day to pickle Laba garlic—purple-skinned garlic soaked in rice vinegar and sealed until New Year’s Eve. The garlic cloves turn jade-green, offering a tangy and spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with dumplings during the festivities.
Laba garlic retains the benefits of garlic while reducing its spiciness. It contains no added sugar or salt and can boost immunity, aid digestion, and prevent colds.
✅ Consume 3–5 cloves per serving, ideally finishing within 1–2 months.
✅ Use clean utensils when handling, and store sealed in the refrigerator.
❌ Do not consume garlic pickled from the previous year.
⚠️ Those with diarrhea, gastric ulcers, hepatitis, etc., should eat little or none.
Laba falls during severe cold, making it an ideal time to conserve energy, nourish the body, and build up health reserves:
Daily Routine: Sleep early and wake late, ensuring adequate rest.
Keeping Warm: Focus on protecting the head, neck, waist, abdomen, and feet.
Exercise: Take walks or practice Tai Chi when the sun is out, avoiding excessive sweating.
Emotional Well-being: Listen to music, bask in the sun, and maintain a cheerful mood.
May the days ahead be peaceful, joyful, and "all is well."
Let us carry this warmth within as we quietly await the arrival of spring.
