February has not been a fun month for the Lady Outnumbered household. I started the month off feeling like I got hit by a truck and then it came back. Last week, we had the sinus congestion, runny nose crud, fevers and headaches. Luckily no stomach flu/bug stuff. I was willing to try anything to make it go away. That Saturday, I had planned to go out for the day with a girlfriend of mine and I didn’t want to cancel. I decided Friday afternoon to make myself a hot toddy. I had heard about this and wanted to make one. So, I looked up basics of how to make it and grabbed the ingredients that I had.
Now, I want to preface this by saying I do not endorse drinking alcohol, however, I do in moderation (the occasional wine and whisky). Apparently, the whisky is to help kill the germs and warm you from the inside out. Lemon is a source of vitamin C. Honey has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
It is really a rather easy assembly. I thought it required a lot more than it did. So here it goes…
Ingredients
1 or 2 oz of Scotch, Bourbon, whatever you have on hand
1 herbal teabag (I had Traditional Medicinals ‘calm’ but any will do)
1 tablespoon honey (I like to use ‘raw honey’ it has the antibacterial, antioxidant, immune health benefits intact)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
hot water filled in your mug of choice
Directions
- Heat up the water- in the microwave, with your tea kettle, whatever way you choose
- Steam your tea bag for a couple of minutes
- Add the whisky (I just used a shot glass)
- Stir honey in
- Squeeze the lemon into the mug
- Add ACV if you choose
- Sit back relax, heat up a neck wrap– (I have her facebook linked, send her a message to customize and order) and enjoy!
I also recommend a Vitamin D supplement and of course the classic OJ. I mean like you need an excuse to drink orange juice! Studies are showing that Vitamin C might not be as beneficial when you are sick and to prevent immunity. We are deficient in Vitamin D in the Winter because of the lack of sun exposure and there is a correlation with the amount of illnesses that occur in the Winter time. So you best believe I pumped myself up with that stuff. Again, like you need an excuse to take a gummy!
2019 UPDATE– We have started taking elderberry syrup and gummies. I am a believer! My oldest son refuses to take them and he got sick over the Thanksgiving weekend and throughout the following week. My youngest and I remained healthy. I will always have elderberry around during the Fall and Winter season. Check out my post all about making elderberry syrup and gummies.
Hope that helps and…
I hope you feel better soon!
