Kick those sniffles away

Mistletoe, holly, candy canes and shortbread – 'tis the season. The hustle and bustle of shoppers. The smell of gingerbread and pine, the sound of Christmas carols being sung.

Oh, and a stuffed-up nose with a hacking cough. What is it about the holiday season that makes it a perfect setting for colds and flu?

As I write this, I must pause for sips of tea, as my poor throat cannot bear to be without liquid for more than a moment or the razor blades stuck there start to shift.

My nose alternates between running incessantly and being so plugged that my ears hurt. Breathing deeply is tricky, best attempted only after a bout of coughing or else it causes more of the same.

I bet many of you out there are feeling much as I do, and I doubt that I’m the only one who sounds more like the Christmas frog than Suzie Lou Who when I try to sing a carol.

It’s tough to be in the spirit of the season when all one wants to do is snuggle on the couch with a box of tissues.

So, to remedy the situation, I am kicking things up a notch. No mere chicken noodle soup here; I will offer my high-test options for getting your energy back and giving you some gumption to get out there and be jolly.

Christmas comes but once a year, and we don’t want to miss out on the fun, right? Here is how to soldier on…

Porridge (link: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/porridge-lots-of-ways/#wBfrdwKc4rzvaciO.97 ) – yes, the adage of something that sticks to your ribs is a worthy one. You need some sustenance to fight off an illness and starting the day with something warm helps boost your metabolism (just like working out).

I like a grainy cereal like Red River, but oatmeal works just fine. Add a touch of maple syrup for its nutrients and maybe dried cranberries for extra vitamin C.

My link here is from Jamie Oliver – who better than an English bloke to offer advice on porridge?

Herbal tea

I have a friend who swears that a cup of tea can help solve any problem in life, and when we sit together I do feel that way. But she lives overseas, so when I have a cold, I need extra help.

Many herbs soothe a sore throat and give your system a boost to fight infection. Ginger, mint, and camomile are some of the most common; my link offers a few others too. Add honey for added benefit.

Garlic

This humble root offers powerful assistance in the fight against a cold. The catch is you need to crush or slice the cloves for best absorption, and if you are cooking garlic it’s best to crush it and then let it sit for 10 minutes before heating it so the enzymes can stay active.

My fave garlic recipe for a sick day is a simple one: pasta with garlic and parsley. 

Hot & Sour Soup

This is my ultimate weapon, beating out chicken noodle every time. It offers bold flavours you can still taste with a cold which in itself is soothing. Warm liquids help us stay hydrated and calm and a bit of extra “hot” will really give your body a kick-start if you can take it.

Ice Cream

Just because. It soothes a sore throat and makes me smile. You can opt for holiday flavours if you like; if you want to splurge, Kelowna has a few artisan shops. I like the options at QB Gelato, which you can browse at the link. 

If you are home sick, I hope these ideas help you feel better. If you’ve skated through so far healthy, them maybe you want to bookmark this page just in case? 

I wish you all a sniffle-free and happy holiday season.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.