Winter is coming. Oh, wait. Scratch that – winter is here. It is getting colder and it seems that our bodies have decided to give up on life. Yup, it’s cold and flu season. So, what can you do to help defend your body against these winter ailments? We have just the thing.
Hot Lemon Ginger Kicker
We took one of our recipes and added more heat. Ginger, known for its cleansing properties, and cayenne, which helps boost your immune system, is a great way to fight off your cold. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients
1 can Bubbles Sulawesi Limon
Shaved Fresh Ginger
1 teaspoon Cayenne or Turmeric
Honey
Directions
In a small pot, bring Sulawesi Limon to a boil. Add 1-2 inches of ginger (peeled and sliced). Let simmer for about a minute before adding cayenne/turmeric. Remove from heat and stir gently. Pour into a glass and add honey to taste.
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Ah, the classics. There is nothing that feels more homey and comforting than homemade chicken noodle soup. This recipe may not be as good as your mom’s, but we think it may be in the running.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup chopped yellow onion
½ cup chopped celery
15 ounces chicken broth
½ pound cooked & chopped skinless chicken breast
1 ½ cups egg noodles
1 cup sliced carrots
½ teaspoon garlic pepper
½ teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Directions:
In a large pot, melt butter. Cook onion and celery in butter until transparent. Pour in chicken broth and stir in chicken, noodles, carrots and spices. Bring to a boil then let simmer for about 20 minutes before serving.
Hot Toddy
There are many ways to make a Hot Toddy, but the following is our favorite. Since there is whiskey involved in this remedy, it’s advised not to have more than 1 or 2.
Ingredients
1 Tea Bag (Black or Green Tea is great but you can also use ones like Honey-Ginger)
1 Shot of Whiskey
3 Tablespoons Honey
1 Lemon Wedge
Hot Water
Directions
Boil water in kettle or on stove top. While water is boiling, pour whiskey, honey and tea bag into a large mug. Top with hot water. Add lemon wedge and stir gently until honey is dissolved. Sip for the ultimate congestion relief.
All-Natural Vapor Rub
This was a staple in almost every household when we were children, rubbing this goop on our chest when coughing and congestion were at its worse. However, as we grew up and became more conscious of the ingredients used within popular products (Some vapor rubs contain petroleum!), we thought it would be a good idea to make an alternative version. Apparently we weren’t the only ones. There are many websites with recipes for all-natural vapor rubs, but this one would have to be one of our favorites. Try it out for yourself and breathe in the difference.
Cough Syrup
Much like vapor rubs, there are many ingredients in over-the-counter cough syrups that can be considered unsafe for children and even adults. We found a recipe made simply with honey and onions. Although this sounds, well, awful, it is actually pretty good. It is no secret that honey is great for soothing sore throats. But, did you know that onions naturally strengthen your immune system? It’s true. And when cooked in honey, this treatment tastes a lot better than some of the over-the-counter cough medicines out there. Try this recipe out during your next cold and see for yourself.
