Tis the Season to Sneeze

Ten days into meat free mania! 

Woohoo. 

I wish I could say I have more energy and feel great, but I'm pretty sure my body is too busy using any extra energy to fight off this cold/flu that seems to be going around.

Everywhere I turn someone is coughing (Cover your Mouth!), sneezing, or sniffling. Lucky for me I don't get colds during cold season... No, I only get summer colds. Why? I have no idea. But it's true. It has been years, and years, and years since I had a cold that wasn't made all the worse by 95 degree heat. But I digress..sort of. Anyhow, I have a "remedy" that has been working this winter, and worked all last year, too. It is, for me at least, an instant pick me up. A vitamin c, antibiotic, flavour packed tea that can get you drunk, if you want. 

The original recipe that I found on Pinterest (I forgot to pin it, or I'd give credit where credit is due) called for the addition of whiskey, of which I was fresh out. A little improvisation, and a lot less alcohol went into my version, which is best since I took it to work. You really oughtn't get tipsy while teaching, it is considered a no no. 

Bug Battling Brew:

Makes 1 large, or 2 small mugs worth

Juice from 1/2 a lemon (or 2 Tbsp)

Your choice of tea, brewed (I used English Breakfast and Chinese green teas interchangeably, but it would be good with almost anything) 

1/2 tbsp honey

1 inch cube ginger, cut into thin slices or diced (this is pretty strong, but I like ginger. Cut back to 1/2 inch cube, if that seems like too much) 

1 shot whiskey (OPTIONAL) 

And voila! That's really it. Just combine those ingredients in your mug or cup, and drink it down. I drink/eat the ginger pieces, but if that's too much for you, you can let them steep for up to five minutes, then strain them out. Drink it warm for the lovely, soothing properties. 

**I've never made this with the whiskey, so don't hold me accountable if it's foul. I've heard it's great, and works like magic for colds and flu symptoms, so I included it. If I were to make it with the whiskey I might be inclined to get that new honey whiskey I saw a commercial for somewhere... That might be good.** 

Also, eat lots of garlic (roasted, toasted, raw, it matters not) for its anti-everything-yucky properties. 

Oh, garlic, you are my staple, my culinary base, and my favorite medicine. 

There you have it! 

Of course these aren't going to help if you're doing silly things like running around in the snow without shoes on and overly taxing your immune system, but they'll give you a boost, or be the difference between a bad day, and a day, and sometimes that's all you need.