SimplyYummy123

Combat the Flu!

Returned from Mexico earlier than planned because of Montezuma … Thank God I had no “issues” on the plane!  A few days later, I thought all was well, this nasty flu bug that’s going around decided to pay me a visit.  Bad head/sinus cold, queasy tummy, sneezing, coughing, aching … OK, enough of this.  Now I am on the attack, blasting this virus with my entire arsenal.  And what is that?  Here is the list:

Green Tea – which I drink every morning anyway;”
Milk Thistle Tea – great for detoxing the body and something I drink occasionally but now 2 cups a day;
Echinacea – liquid form.  It’s actually IMM formula, containing echinacea, golden seal and more – once a day;
Vitamin C – tablets 4,000 mg per day;
Probiotic – usually one a day but discovered, perhaps due to coeliac disease?, two a day is better, taken first thing, BEFORE anything else;
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 tablespoon;
Vitamin D – liquid form.   This too I take every day, in the winter – just a few drops.  Living in the northern hemisphere, where during the winter it is too cold – most days – to go outside, skin exposed, and allow your body and the sun’s rays to make vitamin D for you, this is necessary.

Food stuffs:

MORNING

Juicing 5 – 6 medium sized carrots, 1 lemon, a small piece of ginger and 1 to 2 apples (depending on size).
– peel the carrots, remove both ends of the lemon (peel part) & cut into 4 wedges, core the apple & cut into pieces to fit the juicer;
–  start with a few apple pieces, add a couple of lemon wedges, toss in the ginger bit, finish of with the carrots;

Drink immediately.  Contains many vitamins, enzymes and other goodies to help boost your immune system.

Wash the juicer parts.  Done!

Next a shake containing many vitamins and minerals, Ultra Clear, also been taking this every day for the past 5 years.  Add one heaping tablespoon to 3/4 of a glass of purified/spring water.  Mix and drink.

More tea.

Yes, I am floating by now but that’s the idea.  This virus must be flushed out by your body’s amazing elimanation system – pores, coughing, nose blowing and other flushes … 🙂

AFTERNOON

More tea – if you can stand it … 🙂  Milk Thistle, Lemon, really any herbal tea will do – no caffein

EVENING

Artichoke – cut off the bottom (about 1/2 an inch, 1 1/2 cm) & the top points (about 1 inch, 3 cm or more).  Place in pot, fill pot with purified/spring water until 1/2 way up the artichoke, cover and turn on medium heat until it begins to boil.  Turn down to low, wiggle artichoke around to avoid sticking to bottom of pot, continue cooking until you can pull an artichoke leaf off easily.  Pour a little (1 tbsp.) EVOlive Oil and the juice of half a lemon in a dipping dish.  Remove the artichoke from the pot and place on a plate or any available dish.  Careful ’cause it’s hot!  Remove one leaf at a time, dip the fleshy end into the … well … the dip, and with your teeth scrape off the tender bits.

Asparagus – Wash and remove stems.  Save the stems!  Roast asparagus in the oven with a touch of water (yes, purified/spring), just until a little soft – about 10 – 15 minutes.  Remove, drizzle Extra Virgin Olive oil and the juice of 1/2 or a whole lemon.  Sprinkle black pepper and oregano over all and munch away.  Add fresh garlic if you like.

Miso soup – In a pot of purified/spring water add the washed asparagus stems and boil.  Reduce heat and let simmer until stems become swollen, then remove.  Add some diced tofu and let simmer for 10 minutes.  In the “broth” add 2 – 3 sheets of Nori or Kombu or really any seaweed you can find at your health food store.  Ripped up, of course, not whole.  Let simmer until it begins to “melt” down – approx. 5 minutes.  Add a few drops of wheat-free soya sauce, japanese rice vinegar & saki (for flavour).  Next add a bunch of chopped up green onions/scallions.  Once this has simmered for about 5 minutes, add the miso, remove from heat and stir until miso is blended in.  Eat it up.

Sweet Potato – Scrub clean.  Remove any nasty bits.  Poke holes with a fork.  Place on a pan and cook in a 350° oven until it is soft.  Split open and eat it all – yep, peel too!

Sounds like a lot to do but each item is only a few minutes of work and the benefits are worth it.  You will shorten the duration of your cold.  If you can’t find Artichoke or Asparagus try some broccoli – well steamed but not soggy, or cook up a plate of greens – chard, kale.  Use lots of extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice on the veggies.

I am now on day 2.  Will let you know how it goes.