Detoxing from winter hibernation.
- At April 4, 2009
- By Molly Chester
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Spring has sprung! Yea! But sometimes with spring, comes a little cold. The body is detoxing from winter hibernation, plus tree and flower pollen are in full force. If you find yourself coming down with something here are a few things to keep in mind…
1. WATER – I am not one of those people who drinks 8 – 8oz glasses of water a day, but when I am coming down with something, I definitely up my water intake. Try 5 or 6 glasses of water a day (not coke. not coffee. not o.j., but water), until you feel better.
2. NO DAIRY – Dairy is mucus producing, and when you are coming down with a cold, more mucus should be the last thing on your mind. Bring it back in when feeling better.
3. SLEEP WELL – Do everything possible to carve out 8 plus hours.
4. SNORT SALT WATER – This sounds GROSS. I’m aware it does, but let me explain: As a college student at Georgia Tech, I landed a kicking sinus infection and stumbled to the infirmary. Apparently everyone else on campus had the same issue, and I couldn’t get in to see a doctor for days. To cope, the infirmary had set up a make-shift office in a side room where students could visit the nurse. Sick and cranky, I resigned to the nurse’s line, desperate for a quick-fix antibiotic. And after an uncomfortable hour of hallway, the nurse couldn’t or wouldn’t even write me a prescription, which for me at that time was criminal. Instead, she told me to go home and sniff salt water (warmish water with a little salt mixed in) three times a day. I know what you’re thinking, and I felt the same way. But, I swear to you… my sinus infection disappeared. I had been a chronic sinus infection person my whole life, and I have not had another one since. Knock on something wood. I recommend this to anyone who will listen. You can also purchase a nettie pot at whole foods or any health food store, which is an Indian contraption that serves a similar purpose. I do both. I owe that nurse a thank you for putting up with my uneducated eye roll and saving me from a lot of unnecessary antibiotics.
5. TRY HEALING SOUP! Mom and I make a version of this soup for a detox too, but this particular recipe is for a cold. With a base of healing chicken stock, this all green soup serves to alkalize your body, which is acidic when sick. If you eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with the above tips, you will be giving your body a much better chance to return to health, which is all the body is ever trying to do for us in the first place.
Click HERE for the Healing Soup recipe…
xo – Organic Spark
Kim
This soup is so delicious! The time spent to prepare is well worth the outcome! Thank you for sharing!
Molly Chester
Hi Kim – Thanks so much for stopping by to comment! John mentioned that you made the soup. I’m so glad you tried it! Hope to meet you soon. Molly
Quail
Avoiding dairy certainly works! I also have a slice of toast with at least 2 cloves of chopped fresh garlic mixed with olive oil for a spread. I swear by it. I always make a strong garlic soup when I’m under the weather. A lentil soup with garlic, onion, lots of ground cumin and some tomato works a treat! Sore throats feel worse in the middle of the night or morning is because of dehydration during your sleep. As you recommend, drink lots of wonderful H20!
Molly
Hi Quail – I like your tips! I have taken down raw garlic in some OJ when coming down with something before, and your way sounds a lot more palatable. Thanks for stopping by!
japancakes
Do you have an easy, homemade broth recipe? Doug and I and Baby B are sick and it would be great to make this soup!
Molly Chester
Hi Japancakes (AKA Jen!)
For a chicken broth, buy two bone-in breasts. Coarsely chop the following and put it in a big pot: 2 carrots, 2 parsnips, 1 turnip, 2 celery stalks, 2 yellow onions & a couple cloves of garlic. Add your chicken breasts, 2-3 bay leaves, 2T apple cider vinegar and some whole black peppercorns. Fill your pot till you generously cover all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer, uncovered for about 1 1/2 hours. You can use the chicken for chicken salad and discard the rest. I'll do a blog on this in the future, but hope this helps in the meantime! Feel better!
Molly