Unfortunately, it’s cold season right now. It seems like everyone I know has or has just gotten over a cold. Even worse, there’s not much a doctor can do for a cold so I like to take matters into my own hands.
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Cold Remedies
One of my favorite home cold remedies is chicken noodle soup. Before you scoff at my old fashioned remedy know that there’s actually been research done that shows that chicken noodle soup actually contains anti inflammatory properties that help you feel better faster! For homemade chicken soup (my personal preference) check out my recipe below! Don’t feel like going the homemade route? Some of the canned versions work just as well!
Drink lots of water
Next on the list is water. I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will help give your body the energy it needs to fight off the cold. Not only that, but water helps flush the bad stuff out of your system much faster. Try to drink at least 8 cups a day, no matter what.
Sticking to this rule is especially important when you are sick.
Hot Tea
Another way to stay hydrated and soothe your throat is warm tea. Add honey and lemon for an extra cold fighting kick. Honey kills the bacteria in the back of your throat and lemon helps kill the mucus. I’ve also heard to add cloves but I have never personally tried it.
Steam
Steam is also one of my favorite tricks to feeling better! Crank the shower up as hot as it will go and let it steam up the bathroom. Sit in the steamy bathroom for 15-20 minutes (I like to keep the water running) and you should be able to breathe much easier and have more productive coughs by the end of it.
My sister takes steaming to a whole new level. Meagan boils a pot of water, then removes it from the heat and adds some Vicks vapor rub to the water. She then places a towel over her head and sticks her face in the steam coming off the boiling water.
Steam also works for your baby! When my little one is congested I sit with her in the steam for 20 minutes. When we get out I immediately put a couple of drops of saline in each of her nostrils. Saline helps the aspirators do their job much better. Then aspirate baby’s nose.
My favorite nasal aspirator for babies is the Nosefrida Baby Nasal Aspirator
HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP RECIPE
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 medium onion- chopped
2 large rips celery- divided lengthwise and sliced
1-2 cups carrots (I use baby carrots)- sliced
3 cloves garlic- minced
2 bay leaves (I use dried)
Thyme- fresh is preferred but I use dried. Use 4 sprigs fresh or 1 teaspoon if dried
1 1/2-2 quarts chicken stock
8 oz egg noodles
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Salt, pepper, and parsley
Directions
-heat olive oil on medium heat in a large pot and toss in onions, celery,
carrots, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme.
-cool vegetables until soft (around 5 minutes)
– add the chicken stock and bring to a boil
– add the egg noodles and reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes
– add the chicken and simmer for approximately 5 more minutes
-remove bay leaves
– add salt, pepper and parsley to taste and serve
Hint: to make all of your shredded chicken recipes easier cook chicken and shred ahead of time. Divide into 1 or 2 cup portions and freeze. You will always be ready for your recipe instead of worrying about time consuming shredded chicken.
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