Cold-sicles for the Sickies

When I was eight, I had battled with many a bought of strep throat and numerous cases of tonsillitis  It was finally time to go see a specialist and determine if I needed those pesky tonsels removed. After checking me out, the doctor told me that he figured all the boys in the neighbourhood could hear me snoring because of how enlarged my tonsels were. This mortified me as a young girl and I thought the doctor was a stupid head. Either way, I was scheduled for surgery to have those suckers removed.

Post surgery, the only thing I could really keep down or handle because of the intense throat pain was popsicles. My mom would just freeze apple juice in the homemade popsicle containers and for the time, I had some relief from the pain. Now, I am grateful I had my tonsels removed because rarely do I suffer from a sore throat. This, of course, doesn't mean my home is sore throat free. With a husband and  a toddler to look after, I have found the month of January riddled with sore throats, runny noses and coughing/chest congestion.

After reading all about the healing properties of lemon, ginger and honey together, I tried brewing a chamomile tea and putting all of these ingredients in to super charge it to fight a cold. While I easily got my husband to drink the tea, Lennon was less interested. There I was with this big batch of cold fighting awesomeness and a child unwilling to take it. And then it dawned on me! Hot isn't the only way to ease and soothe a sore throat and an icky feeling head. I would freeze them in our popsicle container and see if she would take them that way!

Not surprising, she thinks they are awesome and consumes them quickly and willingly. The cold soothes her throat and the chamomile calms her nerves and allows her to feel sleepy enough to nap (please!). Add in the healing properties of ginger, lemon and honey and you have a great natural cold remedy for the grossest time of year: cold and flu season.

Cold-sicles (Makes 6-8)

1/2 lemon
1 tbsp honey
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
1 pot chamomile tea

1) Brew the chamomile tea in a large tea pot. Loose leaf works best.
2) Squeeze in the juice from the lemon.
3) Peel and mince your fresh ginger, add to tea.
4) Mix in honey.
5) Allow all of the ingredients to steep for 3-5 minutes, then remove the tea bag.
6) Either serve hot OR if they refuse allow to cool a bit before pouring into popsicle container.
7) Freeze for at least 2 hours, or until popsicles have frozen.
8) Serve

I hope this simple recipe helps your little and yourself with those nasty winter germs and keeps you away from the even nastier pharmaceutical cold medicines. Nothing heals better than nature!