Our youngest son, Shane, checked in yesterday and informed us he couldn’t come to dinner since he was feverish, congested and feeling bad all over. 

Seems like early winter is the season for upper respiratory illnesses. 

Even though Shane is grown with his own family, the mom in me spurred into action. I just had to make a pot of homemade chicken and rice soup from bone broth for him, along with a jug of immune boosting orange juice with turmeric and ginger. 

Keeping hydrated when you’re sick is a challenge, and that’s where brothy soups and healthy juices come into play. 

Today we’re concentrating on drinks.

Healthy, hydrating drinks to get you through when you’re feeling down. The bonus? The citrus booster, fever bustin’ punch with pineapple, and simple ginger cinnamon tea are easy and delicious ways to hydrate with “good for you” ingredients. 

These drinks remind me of “Mom medicine” when we were kids.  Mom doctored us up with pineapple juice for scratchy throats and sinus infections. Like many of her era, she didn’t know the formal science (pineapple contains bromelain which helps break down mucus, reduce congestion and inflammation). But she knew it worked, and that’s good enough for me!

Now one more thing, these are suggestions only. Always check with your health care professional .

Easy immune booster citrus juice

Frozen reconstituted or 100% bottled juice can be subbed for fresh oranges. 

Double or triple recipe and store in refrigerator up to 3 days. 

Give it a shake before drinking, since turmeric and ginger tend to settle.

Turmeric provides the brilliant color. 

Ingredients

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/4 teaspoon each: powdered turmeric and ginger

Instructions

Whisk or shake everything together.

Good for you

Citrus contains vital vitamin C for immunity.

Turmeric and ginger are powerful anti-inflammatories and ginger is tummy soothing.

Fever bustin’ chilled punch

Cooling when you’re feverish and your throat is sore.

Ingredients

Equal amounts of each: all natural (no added sugar) fruit punch, pineapple juice and cranberry pomegranate juice.

Instructions

Just stir juices together and chill before drinking.
Good for you

Punch contains several fruit juices, including apple and grape which have antioxidant qualities.

Pineapple juice is good for sore throats.

Cranberries and pomegranates are good digestive juices.

Simple ginger cinnamon tea 

I sweeten this with raw honey from our hives. Use the recipe as a guide. A little more, or less, of any ingredient is OK. 

Cinnamon is  optional but adds an element of flavor and aromatics. 

Ingredients

2 cups water

Fresh ginger to taste – start with a couple tablespoons chopped or smashed ginger root

Lemon juice 

Cinnamon – 1 stick or couple shakes of powdered (optional)

Sweetener to taste

Instructions

Bring water to a boil, stir in ginger and cinnamon.
Cover and let steep 5 minutes or so.

Strain, add lemon juice and sweetener.

Good for you

Ginger is tummy-soothing and anti-inflammatory.

Citrus contains vital vitamin C for immunity.

Cinnamon packs an anti-oxidant punch. 

Honey has anti-bacterial properties.