Hello everybody! For the first time in ages, I am feeling very under the weather, very staying in bed all bed and looking back on those careless days were breathing or shallowing wasn’t painful. Yeah, my throat is sore, my nose is dripping and I’ll spare you the rest of those colorful work pictures. The bottom line is, even zero wasters can catch a cold. And this is how I deal with it.
Include these foods (if possible):
I try to get as much as possible of these foods whenever I am sick, whether than being from teas, juices, spicy soups, or dishes. I try to incorporate these ingredients as much as possible. I can’t, for the life of me, drink gross cold remedy-style concoctions or shots, no no way. So instead I make juices, pasta dishes, noodle soups, and teas. Yeah, having these ingredients in a delicious and pleasant is the way to go for me (you don’t have to mix them all together, that sounds traumatizing lol)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Cayenne pepper
- Lemon
- Elderberries
Reusable handkerchiefs
Now there is of course the benefit of using a product over and over rather than single-use items, but moreover, your nose will also thank you. Handkerchiefs are usually much softer and thus gentler on the skin around your nose, so I really recommend them, for multiple reasons. You also don’t need to buy new cloths, simply cutting up an old t-shirt that you no longer use might do the trick.
Drink something warm
Having something warm to drink is a tip as old as time, nonetheless, it works. Sipping on some lemon or ginger tea will help your break up mucus and soothe a sore throat. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and ginger has antibiotic properties. As a bonus, tea can be easy to find in bulk, or with minimal packaging. My advice is also to go for loose teas rather than tea bags. Use a tea infuser, or a tea egg to make your tea rather than the disposable bags (which sometimes contain polyester)
Fermented and pickled foods
Everything from kimchi to pickled beets, I love it, and these foods are incredible and regulating gut health, which affects our entire well-being, so see if you can incorporate some fermentation and pickled foods into your diet when you’re under the weather
also check out: Pickled Red Onions // Recipe
A hot shower or bath
Now showers are way more sustainable than a bath, just when looking at water consumption. So whatever your options are, taking a hot bath is a good idea. To make the experience even better, hanging some dried eucalyptus in your showers will release steams that are really beneficial to your sore throat or nose – can recommend. However, if you do have a bath, adding some bath salts or lemon slices might really take it to the next level.
Other tips to help you get better:
- Make a steam bath for your face with ginger, lemon, and herbs
- Drink plenty of water
- Sleep with a scarf, or something that covers your neck
- Similarly, keep your feet warm by wearing socks or slippers at all times
Try these recipes when you’re under the weather (or have someone else make them for you)
Vegan Shahi Paneer (aka my new favorite dish)
STIR FRY feat. SPINACH STALKS // anti-food waste recipe
