Happy December everyone! As I sit and write this afternoon it's only a couple of weeks away from the big day - Christmas! Just when I think I'm already, I realize I still have to do 'this and that'. Oh well, no sense stressing over it, it always seems to work out somehow.
The house is decorated inside and out so it's looking festive. I still have hopes of making homemade chocolates and Christmas Jam....but in the meantime, I'm recovering from the flu. Now my elderly Mom has it. The only person in the house who hasn't gotten sick is my husband who has a compromised immune system - go figure! Knock on wood, he won't get it.
I'd like to share a couple of my go to remedies for cold and flu. The first one I call Magic Broth. I swear by this recipe.
Magic Broth
4 Cups of water
1 heaping teaspoon of chicken bouillon (I like Better than Boullion brand)
The root end of 4 scallions and a little bit of the green chopped up (yes make sure to add the roots!)
2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
1 piece of ginger (about 1 inch) peeled and roughly chopped
Bring all this to a slow boil and then let simmer for 20 minutes. Strain out the chunks and sip on the broth.
The other home remedy I like is my breathing tent technique. With this I put about a 1/2 cup of water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Remove it from the heat and add drops of essential oils. Generally, I use a blend of eucalyptus, lavender, orange, and tea tree. If you don't have any essential oils, you can use about 1/4 teaspoon of Vicks Vapor Rub. Place the pan on a potholder so not to mar the surface of your kitchen table. Sit at the table and take a large bath towel to make a tent over your head and the pan. Make sure to close your eyes as the oils can burn them. Now, relax and breathe deeply in through your mouth and out your nose. I like to stay in the tent for about five minutes or until the steam has subsided.
One other thing I always keep on hand for times like this is a product by Boiron called Oscillococcinum; it's a homeopathic formulation for cold and flu symptoms. Don't worry, I'm not a paid sponsor for the company, it's just something I found that works many years ago and like to tell others about it!
I hope some of these remedies help you out if you ever need them!
On a sad note, I lost my dear friend Bo last month. I've mentioned my horse, Boman, in previous posts. He laid down for nap one morning after breakfast and never woke up. I guess we all would like to go that way, I know I sure do. He lived 31 years, and my hope is that he knew how much I loved him and how much he is missed. Below is a photo of the memorial plaque I had done for him. It won't get put out until spring now as the ground is frozen. So, I am adjusting to a new routine; I've had horses in my life since I was a little girl. Call me crazy but I actually miss having a stall to clean!
I did manage to squeeze a few craft shows in this fall and early winter. It's always nice to see my fellow crafter friends and of course my local customers. But I decided to take the rest of the month off and enjoy time at home preparing for the holidays. It's a good thing considering the darn flu!
I hope you take time to rest and enjoy the holidays this year. Time goes by so very fast. And most importantly remember the reason behind the season. Richard and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Disclaimer: Probably none of the home remedies above are approved by the FDA; I offer them only to help alleviate any symptoms you might experience!