Let’s start this post with the fact that I never get sick. Well maybe not never, but very rarely. I can count on my hand the number of times in my life that I have ever had a major illness. And in the winter time I’m one of those annoying people that never picks up no other people’s colds. I’ve never had the flu shot because, well, I’ve never had the flu.
It actually gets to the point where I want to get sick so that I could take time off work! The idea of having a day or two where I could lie on the couch and watch TV and not feel guilty about it is very appealing. Of course I have the kind of job where even if I was sick I would still need to go in so it’s probably a good thing.
This worked out very well for me when I was pregnant as I got to finally use my sick leave for something, i.e. my obstetrician and other various health appointments. Other than these appointments I managed to get through the whole pregnancy without taking any time off. And worked right up to week 38. (A the time I was very proud but looking back it was a bad idea. For anyone reading this, you need more than two weeks to prepare for a baby! Take at least four. More if you’re struggling in the pregnancy!)
Back to the point. One thing that does tend to happen is that when I do get sick (usually nothing more serious than a sniffly nose and sore throat) it just happens to fall when I’m on holiday. That’s why I remember the last time; it was February 2013 when I was on my honeymoon in Vietnam. Bloody typical!
The wonderful locals who looked after us at breakfast, after a morning or two, noticed how horrid I was feeling and volunteered a wonderful drink to help me through. A very simple, four ingredient wonder that soothed my throat, cleared my nose and also provided that special touch that you need most when you’re sick – the feeling of comfort and being looked after.
For the remainder of our stay I had one each morning and it helped to set me up to enjoy the day and remember that I was on my honeymoon rather than moping about feeling sick and tired.
I’m sure many of you have tried this before and I’m not breaking any new ground here. But I’m writing about it because for the first time in two years I have a cold again. This drink has been my staple for the past few days because I’m still breastfeeding and want to avoid cold and flu tablets.
Ingredients:
– Ginger
– Honey
– Lemon
– Boiling water
Mix up in the amounts you like. I have about a thumb size of chopped ginger, generous tablespoon of honey and a quarter of a lemon.
Who knows whether this actually reduces the length of the cold or its severity. But it makes me feel better regardless!
alikelylass 