The flu bug was an unwelcome visitor during our holidays. It probably found some of us at our most susceptible because we were tired and out of our routines.
To combat the aches, pains, fever, stuffy head, runny nose and fatigue, many of our favorite home remedies were tried. They included two Aspirin, a hot drink of honey and lemon and off to bed for a nap, chicken soup, or in this case it was leftover turkey soup, Vicks on the nose, chest and throat and saline (salt solution) nasal spray.
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Now that I am feeling better I have been wondering why this routine of home remedies helped to relieve the symptoms. The Aspirin helped lower the fever and relieve muscle aches and pains. Honey and lemon soothed the sore throat and the hot steamy drink helped moisten dry airways and replace fluids lost with the runny nose and fever. Rest allowed the body to heal and fight the virus.
Chicken soup has a medical history dating to the 12th century, when it was prescribed for asthmatics to help clear bronchial tubes. The broth helped to keep the body from dehydrating. Phlegm is more easily coughed out when fluid intakes are high.
Chicken soup is nutritious and easy on the stomach – a well-nourished patient fights infections better. Vicks helped to heal and soften the cracked skin around the nose, and the vapors helped to clean the nasal passages and sinus. The warmth encourages circulation and increased blood flow to the congested chest and sore throat.
The saline solution helps to heal swollen and irritated nasal passages as well as wash out the mucus.
We often don’t take a cold or flu seriously. We just keep going, feeling we can’t take the time to be sick.
When we are ill, the body needs time to rest to allow healing and to lessen the chances of a secondary infection such as pneumonia. If you are feeling miserable, curl up under a blanket with a hot drink and rest.
Cold weather hands
Dry, chapped, sore hands are often the result of our cold winter weather. An easy cure is a Vaseline nightcap. Just before you climb into bed at night, rub your hands generously with Vaseline. Massage it into the nail area and the sore dry spots. Slip on some mitts or cover your hands with a pair of socks. Climb into bed, have a good sleep and in the morning your hands will be much softer.
Repeat nightly until hands are healed and then once a week, or as often as needed to keep your hands soft and chap free. This also works well for dry chapped feet.
Before saying ‘I do’
The holidays are usually a time when many young couples announce that they plan to marry. Unfortunately the North American divorce rate of 50-65 percent does not provide confidence in the potential longevity of these marriages.
Nomi Whalen, an Alberta provincial marriage commissioner, was prompted by a concern over high divorce rates to seek out resources for couples to use prior to marriage. As a marriage commissioner she had performed more than 5,000 wedding ceremonies but as a professional therapist and mediator, she had also seen the trauma and devastation of marriage breakdowns.
She began to question why the two most important jobs we have in life, marriage and parenting, are the jobs we are least prepared for.
She looked around her community and found little information that would help couples learn about what it means to take on the overwhelming task of sharing life with another human being.
Some churches offer classes and premarital counseling, but these only covered a small percentage of couples who marry.
Her alternative was to develop a book designed to help couples achieve a deeper knowledge of one another and make their love more meaningful.
Before We Say “I do” contains more than 1,000 questions for couples to ask one another before they get married, on subject areas including finances, religion, sex, culture, roles, habits, feelings, family, work and leisure, other relationships, communication, health and medicine, general attitudes and prenuptial agreements. No matter how long a couple has known one another, there are sure to be issues that have never been discussed that could have a huge impact on their relationship.
This book is preventive medicine. It can be used before marriage and after to “keep open communication passages, to prevent constipation of your relationship and love.”
Before We Say “I do” is distributed by Temeron Books Inc. Suite 210, 1220 Kensington Road, N.W., Calgary, Alta., T2N 3P5, 403-283-0900, fax 403-283-6947. It sells for $15.95.
Canadian quilting magazine
Honour & Comfort published its first issue in November 1999. The publisher describes it as “Canada’s magazine for Quilters & Voltaries (one who is devoted or passionately addicted to some particular pursuit, or a devoted adherent or ‘admirer’ of some pursuit).” In other words, it is for devoted quilters and admirers of quilts.
The first issue contains wonderful pictures and patterns for illustrated quilts. A feature article focuses on Jo Fitsell, a modern quilt designer, who has an impressionist style. Quilts are often preserved and passed down in families.
One Canadian historical quilt treasure was crafted a century and a half ago in Nova Scotia by a male military tailor. It was pieced of heavy wool broadcloth, the leftover scraps from army officer’s dress uniforms in red, white, yellow, dark blue and black.
There are several photos and the quilt is described in detail. A regular column feature looks at a variety of notions that make piecing and quilting easier and more fun.
Honour & Comfort will be published quarterly and is available in selected stores throughout Canada or can be subscribed for $29.95. It is published by MS Fit Press Inc., 2930 Chandler Drive, Port Perry, Ont., L9L 1B6. To subscribe or for more information call 1-800-570-7803.
Recipe for muffins found
Dear TEAM: In the Nov. 25 edition of The Western Producer one of your readers requested a recipe for Good Morning muffins. I am sending a copy, as I cut it off the Shirriff instant potato box years ago. – M.R., Regina, Sask.
Good Morning muffins
11Ú4 cups all-purpose flour 300 mL
3 teaspoons baking 15 mL
powder
3Ú4 teaspoon salt 3 mL
1 cup Shirriff Mashed 250 mL
Potato Flakes
3Ú4 cup whole milk 175 mL
3 tablespoons vegetable 45 mL
oil
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1Ú2 cup Shirriff Good 125 mL
Morning Marmalade
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Grease 12 medium size muffin cups. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in bowl. Stir in potato flakes. Mix milk, oil, egg and marmalade well. Stir milk mixture quickly into dry ingredients, stirring just to moisten – do not beat. Quickly fill greased muffin cups 2Ú3 full. Bake 15 minutes. Serve piping hot with butter and marmalade. Yields 12 muffins.
For a delicious brunch treat, add six slices of crumbled bacon to dry ingredients.
