Well, the time has come. Cold and Flu season has arrived. Personally, I don’t like the flu shots so I take my chances, make soups, eat healthy, take vitamins and use essential oils to combat the germs and hopefully keep the down time to a minimum. In October Sprouts Grocery Stores have a 25% off all vitamins and supplements week. I definitely take advantage of these sales. They have them every three months, which comes in handy. For this season I loaded up on Vitamin C powder, Zinc tablets and Hemp Heart Seeds.
I hadn’t tried the Hemp Heart Seeds until today, I added some to my soup and they were a delicious addition. What spiked my interest is they are loaded with all kinds of great nutrients, such as Iron, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Manganese, as well as Omegas 3 and 6. They are super easy to incorporate in your daily food too. As I said I added them to my soup, however they can go in smoothies, on salads, in yogurt, you name it. Plus, you don’t have to do anything but toss them in. I will be tossing them in all kinds of things from now on.
Even though it’s been hovering around 100 degrees outside I made some soup. I feel like I might be getting sick. I really don’t want to be sick. Who does? However, it is actually healthy to be sick and get a fever. Your body ramps up, does what it is supposed to do and builds up new immunities. So, if a few days of bed are necessary to be a little healthier later on, then fine. There are a ton of movies I have been wanting to watch, books I have wanted to read and blogs I can pump out. There is plenty to do from bed. Not to mention catch up on much over due rest. Oh yeah, soup. I think of soup as aromatherapy. I love the smell of chicken soup on the stovetop. There is something healing and soothing about it. I pretty much just throw particular items in, for example anything beneficial, vegetables. One of my go to recipes is as follows.
Feel Good Soup
Ingredients:
1 box of Chicken Stock
½ Jalapeno
A few slices of Ginger
A few slices of Leek
1-2 Cloves of Garlic
Handful of Spinach
Handful of Kale
Coconut Aminos
Lemon
Hemp Heart Seeds
Olive Oil
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Directions:
Add ¼ cup Chicken Stock, 1-2 tbsp of Olive Oil, 1-2 Tbsp of Coconut Aminos, Slices of Ginger, Jalapeno, Leek, Garlic, anything else you want to cook in your soup (chicken, mushrooms, green beans, bok choy…), Let them cook for about 7 minutes on medium low. Once those are pretty cooked I add the spinach and kale and let them cook down for a couple of minutes then I add the rest of the stock, put a lid on it and let it simmer.
After it has cooled a bit I scoop some in my favorite large coffee mug and squeeze in lemon, grind in some Pink Himalayan Salt, sprinkle on Hemp Heart Seeds and I might add a little more of the Coconut Aminos.
It’s always a good idea to have some tissue or a handkerchief nearby as this soup heats up the body and can get the nose flowing before you are even done!
My favorite essential oils for this time of year are: Ravensara, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Oregano, Ginger and Lemongrass. I blend them in Grape Seed Oil and apply them to the bottom of the feet, especially under the toes, on the chest, neck and back. I use this on my six year old as well. Make sure to put on socks afterwards so you don’t slip slide around and cause more injuries.
Cold / Flu Aromatherapy Blend
2 oz. Grape Seed Oil
1 drop Lemongrass
1 drop Eucalyptus
1 drop Thyme
2 drop Oregano
2 drops Ginger
3 drops Ravensara
You can double the essential oils for adult only use. This recipe is a 1% dilution ratio which is safe for children and the elderly.
I can't make the soup for you, but I would be happy to make the aromatherapy blend or any other custom blend for you!
Love and Light!
