Flu Season has Arrived

It is actually not the flu, it is more the coughing that bothers me. Since last night I could not sleep because of it, I suddenly remembered that my grandmother used to make a syrup out of carrots. I thought of making it myself because I can’t stand those sugary things bought at the pharmacy, that it is proved they don’t do a thing. 

Carrot Syrup for Cough 

This is what you need; 1/2 kg of carrots, 3 or 4 tbs of honey—that seems to be the best for cough–water, about two cups.

Peel the carrots and cut then in chunks, boiled them for ½ hour; Drain the carrots and blend them, Keep the water and add the honey; Mix the carrot pulp with the carrot water and homey; Put everything thru a sieve. Drink as needed, hot, warm, or cold.

Then to add some vitamins at lunch time too, this one never fails to show up when there is a need for comfort food  … creams of vegetables (see how creams are made here) are so good at all times though … 🙂

Delicious creams that warms body and soul! And Potatoes & Leeks is the best. Delicate, elegant, and so simple to make.

Cream of Leek and Potatoes

4 cups of vegetable broth, 3 leeks, 500 lb of potatoes, 1 tablespoon of butter (oil too, but I always like butter better), S&P, and Parmesan and croutons at the end. 

Cut the leeks and potatoes in small chunks; in a pan add the butter, add the leek and let it simmer for about 10 min. Then add the potatoes, let it simmer some more. Add the hot vegetable broth, bring to a boil. Adjust with the seasoning, and let it boil/simmer for about half hour. 

Blend everything—I use the immersion blender—adjust salt and pepper if so needed, especially if the broth used is the low sodium type. Serve your cream piping hot in individual bowls. And if you feel fancy add some dots of whipping cream. Enjoy 😉

Cleaning the Air too

And finally, as I use citronella essential oil in the house in summer for my fight against mosquitos. Thyme and eucalyptus essential oils work wonders to ease the coughing spells, and opening-up the lungs.

All suggestions and other methods against flu and coughing are welcomed! Thank you for your comments.