Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Pineapple Punch for a Totally Sick Party!

I'm taking it easy today because I got hit hard with a cold last night.  I was sitting in a class at the co-op when I realized that all of a sudden I was breathing with my mouth gaping open and I could actually HEAR all the snot rushing to my sinuses.  I thought, "Wow, I'm really allergic to something in here".  But by the time I got home, my body hurt, I had a sinus headache, and my ears were throbbing.  

My first reaction?  Get out the microplane grater, because we're gonna need some ginger up in here!  I combined lots of ginger, big hunks of smashed garlic, cayenne pepper, and fresh squeezed lime juice with some broth and sipped it until bed time.  

I'm really lucky to have sick time available and a job flexible enough that I can take care of any urgent business from home.  I know many folks don't have the luxury of taking a day to heal, watch The Learning Channel, and sip herbal remedies.  I know my methods will support my immune system enough so that I will heal, but it's not instantaneious.  And I'm not a fan of symptom suppression.

I visited the {conventional Western} Dr.'s office a few weeks ago because I had a bad headache and fluid in my ears.  The Dr.'s first suggestion was to take pain killers and squirt Affrin up my nose.  She apologized that she didn't see a need to give me antibiotics.  I explained to her that all I needed to know is that I don't have an ear infection and I'd be on my way.  She looked confused, then looked at my file and said, "Oh, you're into homeopathy."  

Sort of.  Homeopathy is one modality within natural or complementary and alternative medicine, but it's not my favorite.  I'm more of a Western herb, food, and yoga type gal.  But she's right, I don't like taking drugs, especially over the counter and prescription ones.  And I don't like masking my symptoms with drugs so that I can't feel what my body is doing.  

After explaining that I wanted to feel anything going on in my ears and head so that I would know if my body was in balance, my Dr. said, "Hm.  I never thought about it that way before.  I like that."

Please, please, please tell me that most Dr.'s have at least considered this perspective. Alternating Dayquil and Nyquil will not cure my cold.  It'll make me feel great so that I can ignore what my body is telling me.  This habit can be dangerous, encourages disconnection from one's body, and should be reserved for those days when a person absolutely HAS to do something despite needing to heal.  Why is that not the norm?

Anyways, enough with the soapbox stuff.  I feel yucky and have watched too much "What Not to Wear" and "A Baby Story" with cold medicine commercials in between.  I had to get that out of my system.  

My drink of choice today is way too delicious to be medicinal- But it is!  The lovely Chelsea at the co-op suggested I pick up some Lakewood organic pineapple juice that is on sale since it is packed with vitamin C and minerals.  Great idea- This ginger will clear anything up!

Pineapple Ginger Drink

1 inch ginger root, peeled with the side of a spoon
1 cup organic pineapple juice
1 cup filtered water

Finely grate the ginger (add as much as you want!) and add to the pinneapple juice and water. Heat until steaming hot.  Drink up!  
 

10 comments:

allularpunk said...

i totally hate taking cold medicine too. when i tried explaining that i try not to take cold meds unless i'm in total agony to my coworker, she looked at me like i was crazy. i don't think she got that it doesn't actually MAKE YOU BETTER. so what's the point?

thanks for the healtful drink recipe :) i'm sure i'll need it again at some point this winter. and i hope you are feeling better soon!

Anonymous said...

I hope my baby girl is feeling better soon, how about some homemade potato soup!!! love you bunches

Catherine Weber said...

Cold medicine is just plain freaky. I feel worse on the medicine than I do with the cold!

There are some good docs out there -- my NP was very supportive of my desire to not pursue prescription meds for migraines. She helped me identify some triggers, and now I know what to watch for and when to start GUZZLING the water and sit down and have a snack. :)

aTxVegn said...

I'm sorry you're sick. I've been sick too and did not go to the doctor. My opinion is doctors only treat symptoms with drugs from friendly pharm vendors.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you about taking medicine for a cold. You can take it and be well in 7 days, or not take it and be well in 7 days, and healthier for not having taken the medication. Anyway, Do you have amounts for the ginger, garlic, cayenne, etc.? Sounds wonderfully healing.

A.M. said...

I hope you get well soon!

Anonymous said...

I'm firmly in the no medication unless strictly necessary camp too. It was a decision I made when I became vegan ~ and a few months prior to that I had a serious case of the flu (or something?? Who knows?) which dragged on for an entire month~ I took an over the counter medication recommended by the chemist, and suffered every single side effect listed for that particular product!! It REALLY scared me. I couldn't believe they could sell that stuff over the counter, and vowed never again.
I really hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Sorry you're not feeling well! I subscribe to your philosophy as well--better to know what your body is doing. And that drink sounds wonderful, just like a smoothie I usually have at my favorite Malaysian restaurant.

Feel better soon! (I'm sure all that ginger will help) :)

Meghan said...

I'm drinking this right now; woke up this morning feeling all achey and such. I hope it helps, I have holiday parties to attend this weekend ;o)

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Right on, Liz!