A nasty cold has stolen most of my energy and focus this weekend. It's interesting to note what foods I crave in my sickroom: the sweet tang of orange juice, the salty-meaty warmth of chicken soup, hot tea with lemon and honey. Occasionally I want something cool on my throat like ice cream, but at the same time dairy has lost it's appeal.
Being sick is miserable, inconvenient and annoying but, strangely, I kind of like it. Here's why...
I learned a long time ago that when I get sick, the fastest way to get better is to give in, stay at home and rest, rest rest. Powering through it usually just means prolonging the pain, dragging out the misery as I limp from this to that, not really being all that effective as I honk and sniffle and expose everyone around me to my lovely germs.
It takes a little work on the old ego to admit that the world can live without me for a day or two, that someone else can step into my shoes and be the hero. Once I let go of all that, it's kind of nice and cozy to lie about, drifting in and out of sleep. The wobbly stack of books by my bed finally gets some attention and my backlog of Splendid Table podcasts starts to shrink considerably. Dishes and dust bunnies pile up without guilt because, hey, I'm sick.
I know it's not always possible for some folks to indulge like this: things such as having young children at home or a pressing deadline (like, ahem, having your blog post due tomorrow) can interfere with the rest, rest, rest imperative. But to the extent that you can, try to let it all go for a bit. Drink deeply of the nourishment of taking care of yourself, or even better, letting someone else care for you.
I always keep comfort foods stocked in my pantry so I don't have to run out: chicken soup, of course, and apple sauce, miso broth, rice congee, potatoes for mashing. I can usually manage a quick trip to the corner market for fresh OJ and lemons. Then it's back to the fluffy, cozy bed and the freedom of allowing myself to do one thing and one thing only: get better soon.
What are your sickroom/comfort foods? Can you find time and space to rest when your hit hard with a cold or flu?
(Image: Dana)
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Funny that I read this post today because I went from sore throat to mild flu in less than 48 hours!!!
I do the same, venture out for the essentials (lemons, honey, chicken noodle soup) and I actually came back and caught up on some movies I rented the other day before sickness hit.
I feel midly better... my head is still killing me but I found plugging in the vaporizer at night REALLY helps. My sore throat is almost gone.... except it feels scratchy like I was screaming at a concert all night.
I was wondering what foods to avoid while you are sick? I read online you should avoid sugar but so many things have sugar that it is kinda hard to avoid. :\
Coming down with something this weekend, too. Trying to take it easy but I have a hard time letting go of obligations, etc. I know that I won't always be able to retreat into my own world and "rest, rest, rest" so I suppose I should take advantage of it. As for what foods to avoid, I say eat what you like unless you have a stomach bug. Whatever you think will make you feel better. And obviously, lots of fluids (no sodas).
Get better soon everyone! :)
Ugh, we've been SO sick this last week...nothing to eat but homemade turkey broth and weak tea...
I think you forgot the part about letting your friends help or care for you to. Ya know, like run to the corner store for you or something. I think that as adults it's even more important to let others care for us, to remind us we don't do this life alone. Plus there is something warm and childlike when someone is allowed to do for us such nurturing things.
When I get the flu, I always make my mother's comfort broth of sweet potato and ginger.
http://100n30th.blogspot.com/2008/04/sickies-suck.html
Sooo warm and soothing.
I second that. Nothing makes me happier than serving up OJ and homemade chicken soup to a friend who's under the weather.
Tea. Lots and lots of tea. Ginger tea. Lemon tea. With honey. I like the active Manuka honey (my mum sends it to me from Australia). It has antimicrobial properties and is supposed to help common cold symptoms. It works for me. :)
As for food, I gravitate to soups, oatmeal, cream of wheat, toast, etc. Things that are warm and comforting.
When I'm sick, I do have to stay home and just take care of myself. It was a hard lesson to learn for me, too. But, if I don't, I can end up with repeat infections or, because I have asthma, it can get really really bad. My doctor threatened to hospitalize me once just to make me rest! So now I do, and I do get better faster if I just sleep and veg out for a few days.
When I'm sick I have a weak spot for 'smiles', a highly processed potato product that look like happy faces. I eat them along with some homemade chicken soup. The smiling faces sort of cheer me up a little. Sounds ridiculous, but when you're sick, even the little things help.
Ginger tea (knob of fresh ginger steeped in simmering water, all day long, water topped up continuously), with honey and lemon. I know that I am well when I have gotten tired of drinking it.
Chicken soup with matzo balls (they have to have parsley in them -- hint of green vegetable ;-)) -- I just made a double batch for the freezer to stock up. Here is the recipe I swear by:
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/susans-chicken-soup?autonomy_kw=susan's%20chicken%20soup&rsc=header_1
And definitely fresh squeezed orange juice, as well as some nice clementines.
If you are craving citrus and something cool like icecream, why not treat yourself to a sorbet?
Chinese sick foods are vermicelli with chicken or pork broth and meat. Soooo good. Also congee was really important for us when growing up. I still find congee to be a comfort food now.
As the pasta says - get better soon!
When I am sick, I usually eat soup and drink loads of water, orange juice and 7-Up.
And, to be honest, unless I am deathly ill, I drink wine. I convince myself that the alcohol will kill the germs....
Oy, I hope you feel better soon! I like a variety of things, too, from cool and soothing to warm and comforting. I always love soups, but especially when I'm under the weather. Other times, some simple rice and gravy are all I want.
Honey lemon tea with a zinc tablet (and sometimes an aspirin) crushed up in it. I like the idea of adding ginger.