I woke up feeling like I could use something to stir my inner strength.

Maybe it’s where I was in my cycle; maybe it’s the cold; maybe it’s the process of tuning into old emotions coming to the surface where I’ve created so much space. Whatever this feeling is, it wanted aïgo bouido, a simple broth from Provence made out of garlic, herbs, and water.

I remember reading about aïgo bouido as a Provençal hangover preventative and cure. I was intrigued. Googling it, I found Julia Child’s recipe, and then improvised my own. Garlic is strong medicine – some people are allergic to it, and many are sensitive to it. Cooked in this broth, you can taste its vigor, but it also mellows it some – strength tempered with compassion. You could use it as a base for a vegetable soup, or add a poached egg to it, but I like to drink the broth straight from a small bowl or mug, like tea.