April 04, 2009 2 Comments

This weekend I spent time with my family in southern California. It was a great time until my husband got the flu. We were far from home and found ourselves looking through the cupboards for the foods and liquids he could tolerate. We found one box of jello and some chicken noodle soup but nothing else. It was then that I decided we needed to focus on some foods for the weeks when illness strikes. After all, while colds and the flu are more common during the winter months they can, and do, hit all year long.

This week concentrate on adding the drinks that will aid you in keeping a family member hydrated.You may remember the post I did several months ago outlining the items you need to have on hand to combat dehydration. These are simple “brews” that are made from common items that you can easily store.

1 C orange juice+3 C water + 1/2 tsp. salt OR

1 C apple juice+ 3 C water + 1/2 tsp. salt OR

1 C 7UP type soda + 3 C water+ 1/2 tsp. salt OR

3 C V8 vegetable juice+ 2 C water (NO SALT) * OR

Koolaid packet+ 2 Quarts water + 1/2 C sugar + 1 tsp. salt* OR

2 C Gatorade + 2 C water + 1/2 tsp. salt*

* Red varieties may appear as blood in the stool

To read the entire post go to: Pandemic…What is There to Drink? http://blog.totallyready.com/?p=242

These drinks are designed so children as well as adults will be willing to consume them. If you have ever had anyone try to give you the old salt water concoction to combat dehydration you understand what I mean. You end up feeling as though you have just swallowed half the ocean. YUK!

According to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine the following herbal teas may be helpful when ill:

Peppermint: digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome and tension headaches

Ginger: Morning sickness, post-op nausea and vomitting prevention, arthritis, migraine, and childhood diarrhea

Chamomile: intestinal cramps, nausea, vomitting, as a sedative and infant colic (in small doses)

Cinnamon: appetite stimulant, diarrhea

Fennel: upper respiratory infections, cough, bronchitis, bloating and appetite stimulant

http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/files/webfm-uploads/documents/outreach/im/ss_herbal_teas.pdf

This week purchase herbal teas, ginger ale and lemon lime soda. The juices you will need to make a dehydration prevention solution will be added to your General Store when we add juices. You may want to also purchase a few packets of Kool Aid this week (unsweetened).

I’m sorry this is late in posting for all of you who faithfully check each Monday but the flu had me busy. I’m back home now so I will be back on track tomorrow.

Food storage, Our General Store, Pandemic

Permalink Comments RSS