Just last week I wrote about a Sick Day.  I thought a good day or two of taking it slow and feeding myself the right things would make everything ok…but I had NO idea that I was up against the flu!  The evil flu that’s been taking down everyone finally got me.  I blame no one but myself.  I was careless for weeks during the holidays allowing myself permission to skip workouts, miss yoga, eat too many goodies, drink alcohol, etc.  What did I expect?

After a few days of just not feeling right, having a heaviness in my chest and god-awful pain up my spine and neck, I finally surrendered to the virus when I realized I had a 101.2 fever.  It was time to use food as medicine to let the flu run it’s course and get the hell outta me.  It was interesting how everyday I would feel a little different.  The nastiness began in my chest and each day made its way further up until finally I was just blowing my nose constantly, tissues everywhere!

Garlic. The ultimate boyfriend repellant, but killer flu-fighter! I consumed a good 4-5 bulbs of these suckers while sick with my flu.

Each day I would do (roughly) the same routine.  It goes a little something like below.  If you get sick and need some guidance as far as doing it on your own, check it out:

Sleep as late as you need to with an eye mask so that the light won’t wake you up.  

Drink HUGE glass of water.  Take probiotic.  Take temperature.

Have hot water with 1/2 lemon, 2-3 dashes turmeric, dash of cayenne pepper.  This boosts immunity and aids in relieving congestion.  While in kitchen, thinly slice 2 cloves of garlic and muddle them with a tablespoon or so of extra virgin olive oil. Cover and save for later.  

Back to bed to rest, water at bedside.  Read.

Make a shake:  Spinach, water, 1/2 lemon, ginger, parsley, coconut oil, raw honey, hemp protein powder, 1/2 banana.  Not the tastiest, but certainly good for you.  It floods your system with green power, protein (from the hemp), healthy fat from the coconut oil, water for hydration, honey for a sore throat or cough.  

Back to bed to rest, water at bedside.  Take bath if needed.  Nap.  Take temperature.

Afternoon soup:  A cup or two of water on the stove.  Add a pinch of sea salt and while the water is heating thinly slice a few cloves of garlic and add to water.  When water comes to a low boil, crack an egg and whisk it well into saucepan.  Cook for a minute or two (you’ll notice when egg is cooked).  Turn off stove, add a dash of turmeric and add in a tablespoon of miso paste (stir until dissolved).  Eat while warm.  While sick you want to stay as hydrated as possible which is why soups are always best when sick.  

Back to bed to rest, water at bedside.  Zinc lozenge.  Watch the tube, catch up on movies!

Dinner soup if hungry:  A cup or two of water on the stove.  Add a pinch of sea salt and while the water is heating thinly slice a few cloves of garlic and about an inch of ginger and add to water.  Chop carrots, celery, onion and add to water.  Allow this to boil for a minute or two until veggies are soft.  After they’re cooked lower heat and add in some spinach and some parsley.  You can whisk in an egg if you liked the afternoon soup above.  Turn off stove, add a dash of turmeric and add in a tablespoon of miso paste (stir until dissolved).  Eat while warm.  Eating some more soup is another way to get liquid in while easing congestion.  This soup is also packed with helpful nutrients to feed your body with the good stuff it needs as it fights this virus. 

Have hot water with 1/2 lemon, a teaspoon of raw honey, 2-3 dashes turmeric, dash of cayenne pepper.  This helps ease body aches and soothes the throat and cough.  

Garlic toast:  Throw a piece of Ezekiel toast into the toaster and pull that muddled garlic and EVO out.  Spread the mixture onto toast (whole pieces of garlic and all).  Sprinkle just a pinch of sea salt and pepper on top of toast.  It’s intense, but worth it.  I actually don’t encourage eating dry, bready, cracker-type foods during this time since you want to just keep replenishing your fluids, but a piece or two of this toast each day is all good.  Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic.  It will make you wreak but it’s worth it in the end.  

Back to bed to rest, water at bedside.  Check out Facebook and how many other people are going through what you are.  Take temperature.

Night cap:  A hot cup of Bedtime/Breathe Easy tea (just put both bags into your mug).  This will help you breathe easier through the night and help with sleep if you’re restless.  

Take probiotic and prop pillows up in bed so that your upper body is on a 45 degree angle.  As hard as this may be, try to breathe through your nose.  This will hopefully keep your nasal passages flowing, rather than congesting them by lying horizontal.  


I hope this helps you to take your health into your own care if and when you get sick.  If you have other remedies that work for you, please practice them!  Listen to what your body really needs and feed it with the most nutritious love, food and care it needs.  Stay well-