This is Pickles, our cat, who has a way of telling me that I need to get the kitchen towels folded, put away, and the little basket returned to it's collection place! That's what happens when I've been down. The basic necessities are done, but the extra things are left for another day.
I'm not one to complain (much) when the Lord allows me to get sick anymore. It's His way of telling me to rest, slow down, and take care of myself. That said, a 3 week extended sickness wasn't in my plans! LOL
God's funny that way, isn't He?! Right through these past 3 weeks He's been telling me to "rest in Him."
And I have...
And I have...
What started as my usual early morning Bible study turned in to putting my headset in my ear, listening to the Bible and falling back to sleep with it in my ear. Many chapters later, I've woken up and realized the Word was spoken to me in my dreams. So, yes, I've rested in God's Word, quite literally!
As for God's sense of humor, when any kind of sickness hits (except the throwing up kind), I lose my voice. I'm like my Mom that way, in that I get laryngitis. When I can't talk to people, I whisper. I also use texting to get my point across, as well as sign language. My kids know sign language from when they were growing up. My husband is catching on.
So for the past 3 weeks, I've been using a plethora of products, vitamins, teas, and comfort foods to help me feel better. I'm going to share those with you just in case you may need them in the not so distant future.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I cannot diagnose or treat anyone's symptoms or health care needs. I am merely sharing with you the things I've used that helps my own body on the road to recovering from sickness.
The first thing I did for my throat was lozenges. When my throat was so sore and felt like it was on fire, I started using this Throat Comfort tea (all clickable links) a couple times a day, then switched before bed to warm salt water gargle. In the morning I gargled with Thieves Mouthwash. Additionally, I increased my water intake to help clear up any mucous that may try to make it's way to my lungs.
For my nasal passages, I used NielMed nasal rinse. I've used this method for 16 years since I had sinus surgery in 2007. It has helped clean out allergens, dust, and any other icky stuff that might want to take up residence in my sinuses. I use the packets that come with the new bottle (replacing it every year or so), then switch to Xlear packets.
CAUTION: Keep the Xlear packets and any fluid mixed with it away from dogs! Xylitol is lethal to dogs!
The Air: Keep the air around you moist with a diffuser mixed with exemplary essential oils. Great oils to help not only clean the air around you, but help your body to heal as you breathe them in are listed below.
All the citrus oils!
Oils that help with breathing:
Add these oils to a diffuser 2 drops at a time. Try 2 drops and if it isn't enough, increase to 2 more. I've done 6 drops of Eucalyptus Globulus and 4 drops of Lemon in my diffuser, too. If you need more suggestions, let me know!
For breathing support, place a drop of oil in your hand and dip your finger in to the oil rubbing it all over your chest and collar bone. Add a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil) if it's too strong or your skin starts to get pink. The carrier oil slows down the aborption.
Place a drop of oil in the palm of your hand, rub together in a clockwise motion and cup over your nose and mouth breathing in a "Box Breathing" fashion--4 seconds inhaling deeply, 4 seconds hold, 4 seconds exhaling, 4 seconds hold, then repeat as many times as you feel you need to.
And who could even forget the #1 oil to help with Immune Support!
You can put a drop in your hand and rub this on your larynx, rub it on your feet and have a loved one roll it along your spine every day before leaving the house for work, school, or appointments. It helps so much!
THE oil that helps with the tummy trots:
This oil helps when you add 2-5 drops in to your hands, rub in clockwise motion, then rub all over your tummy! Repeat as needed. There is also Tummygize Roll-on for kids, too, so please feel free to grab those! That way you'll be ready for the next round of "ick" that goes around!
Of course this list would not be complete until I shared my comfort foods with ya'all! Here's one we've used for years, but I've tweaked it this time for a bit of a spicy kick to it to help my throat.
Kicked Up Mack-& Cheese
3 Cups Elbow Macaroni cooked Al dente and rinsed
1 pound ground pork sausage cooked (I use mild breakfast sausage)
2 cans Green Beans
8 ounces Velveeta Cheese cut in to cubes
6 ounces cream cheese
Shredded cheddar cheese to taste (this truly is a preference sprinkle a little or a lot!)
1 cup 1/2 & 1/2
1 Stick Butter (not margarine)
1 small can diced green chilies
Melt butter in sauce pan, add Velveeta, & cream cheese and mix until almost creamy. Add half and half and continue stiring until everything is creamy. Pour over already cooked ground sausage and elbow macaroni. Add green beans, green chilies, shredded cheddar and stir until everything is heated and incorporated. Add extra 1/2 & 1/2 to make it thinner, if desired. Serve in soup mugs, get under a blanket and bing watch Reba on Hulu! Enjoy!
Homemade Mashed Potato Bowls
Breaded Chicken of Choice--precooked
Choice of Vegetable--once again we like green beans
Mashed potatoes--Scrub potatoes and cube with peel on. Boil until fork tender and drain. In the pot add a stick of butter, salt, pepper, & garlic powder. Placed drained potatoes on top of butter and put lid on it for a couple minutes.
While butter and potatoes are melting in the pot make the gravy--1 Stick of Butter, 1/2 cup flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, 1 tsp sage & 1 tsp thyme; cook and mix until just barely golden brown. Add 2 cups chicken bone broth and whisk until thickened. Add cold water a little at a time if it's too thick until desired thickness is achieved.
Mash potatoes with masher adding 1/2 & 1/2 until desired consistency is achieved. Taste and reseason as needed.
Add a scoop of potatoes, a couple pieces of breaded chicken, a scoop of green beans and gravy on top with a little sprinkle of shredded cheddar. These are absolutely delicious and rival KFC's chicken bowl!
These two are ones that just feel so good on the sore throat. In between having these meals, of course there are salads with lots of water filled veggies with tons of color to help with vitamins and minerals. Then there is the occasional cheese burger craving as well.
Overall, these 3 weeks of being down with the sickies has been a challenge in patience, but also perseverance, and working together.
So what was I diagnosed with? Influenza B with an underlying infection. I'm currently taking an antibiotic too. I'm one to stay home and keep the sickness contained and if anyone has a fever, we hunker down until 24 hours after the fever is gone. Fresh air and sunshine as well as Vitamin C, D, and Zinc are just as integral! Make sure you follow the guidance and suggestions of your health care professional, too!
I hope this helps all of you who are dealing with the sickies!
Take care and know that I'm praying for ya'all!
Love & God Bless,
Regina Graham
In my jammies & finally seeing some color coming back in to my face!
I am not a doctor. I cannot diagnose, prescribe, or treat anyone
for any disease or sickness.
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