Feed The Body Not The Flu

As you may know, I'm at war against a flu which managed to breach the barricades of the flu vaccine. Thank Gd I don't have the worst possible case, but for me, it's bad enough. Cough and chills and difficulties concentrating are bad enough. Even before I had realized I was sick, my walking speed was reduced. The flu rather slowly reached its peak making me think that I wasn't really sick. And then as things got more uncomfortable I'd think:

"That's it. Now I should start feeling better."

But instead of feeling better, I felt worse. I even went to the doctor. But by then, as she pointed out, I was finally on the road to recovery. I should just be patient, not force myself to do anything, including eating. Of course, she doesn't know me well enough to know that "resting" is something I have to force myself to do.  My most "restful" activity is playing cards on the computer. At this point reading is a bit stressful to the eyes, but once I recover a bit more... And those movies I love to watch are usually just background sounds and pictures when I'm cooking and cleaning.

Today I didn't even drink coffee. Really! I had my water with lemon and a bit of fresh ginger, but since I didn't enjoy yesterday's coffee and threw out most of it, I didn't make any this morning.

Another change I made was to have a vegan breakfast. I mixed sesame paste with fruit, rather than using goat yogurt or sour cream. First I had it with apple and ginger and then with a persimmon. Both were totally delicious.

For whatever reason, I still have a good appetite in the morning, especially for these fruit treats/meals. Next on the menu is a vegetable soup. The peas are already soaking in boiling water.  I hope that this helps me get all better quickly, Gd willing.

Potion Plus Flu Vaccine?

For the past few years, I've been taking the flu vaccine, and I even got the pneumonia one. So, why do I feel so sick? Yes, I've heard that it's not a magic potion to prevent all winter ills. Sigh...

I also prepared another sort of magic potion for myself, but it doesn't seem to be working either. This includes honey, onion and whisky. And I also drink my water with lemon slices.

Let's see what the doctor says today. Maybe she'll have a more effective trick Gd willing.

First Flu Shot

For years I've avoided/refused taking/getting one of those flu vaccines. I can't give a reason that makes any real sense, but Baruch Hashem, thank Gd I've always survived the flu season without one. I don't know why I suddenly agreed this Tuesday when I was in the clinic, but I did. I've heard both good and bad things about them, like all of us. Some people get awful reactions, the flu, and others are in awful pain. As I write this, a few days after getting the shot and having passed the "danger days," I still have no idea if I'll have a healthier winter.

Time will tell. Do you get them?

Fly Away Flu Potions

My general cure for the aches and pains and coughs and sniffles and... of viruses and flues is lemon juice, freshly squeezed and diluted with water. When I'm miserably sick it goes down alright, but when I'm better it's disgusting. Or once I can't get another cut or drop into me, I consider it a sign of good health. I also make a plain "soup" or bullion out of miso. I put a spoon of it in a cup and then drink it. I find this much more effective than honey.

When I kvetched about feeling awful, leora sent me her potion:

I'll give you my throat concoction: peel and slice a garlic clove (or 2). Put the garlic in a mug. Slice off peel from a ginger root; cut some ginger root into the mug. Add hot water. Add hot pepper sauce (or a hot pepper).If too spicy for you, add some honey. Can you get herbal remedies with astralagus root?

And on Friday, when I staggered, obviously under the weather, into our local greengrocer, he gave me a slice of horseradish which I had to chew. Later on when he delivered lemons, which in my flu fog I had forgotten, he told me to have three cups of chamomile tea.

Flu season is beginning and the doctors have no cure for the weakening virus, so if you have any tried, tested and proven cures, please send to the comments.

Thanks

And yes, I'm better, but still weaker than usual.