Natural Cough and Cold Remedies

It seems that time of year has hit where we are getting hit by colds. My poor son has been on the couch since yesterday afternoon with coughs and sniffles.

Colds are a common annoyance in the winter. The coughing, stuffy nose and lack of energy can really slow you down. While there is no cure for the common cold, there are ways to reduce its severity and make it go away more quickly.

There are numerous over-the-counter cold remedies available at the drug store. Natural remedies usually have fewer side effects and more health benefits. Here are some natural remedies for colds and coughs.

Lemon Juice and Honey
Lemon juice contains lots of vitamin C, one of the best vitamins for the immune system. Honey soothes the throat and helps combat cough. Diluting the juice of a lemon in a glass of warm water and adding a teaspoon of honey makes a simple but effective cold and cough remedy.

You could also add a few teaspoons of lemon juice and honey to ginger tea. Ginger is great for the immune system as well. Drinking either of these recipes once or twice a day will help you fight off a cold and reduce your symptoms.

Garlic

Garlic is a powerful antibiotic and anti-fungal. There are a number of ways that you can use it to fight off a cold.

* You can make garlic soup. This is done by boiling three or four cloves of garlic in a cup of water. Eat it once a day until your symptoms are gone.

* You can eat it raw. It is most effective this way, but some people can’t stand the taste. Juicing it and adding to other juices or the tea recipe above can make it more palatable. You could infuse it in vinegar or use it in a recipe that calls for raw garlic.

* Garlic tablets are a good alternative for those who just can’t stomach garlic. They are not as effective as regular garlic though.

Spicy Foods

If you are suffering from congestion there’s nothing like something hot and spicy to open up the nasal passages. Adding a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to any soup will help clear the sinuses and warm you up. If you feel up to eating a spicy curry is also great for this purpose.

Natural Supplements

There are numerous natural supplements that you can take to help get rid of a cold. Echinacea is an herb that stimulates the immune system and can shorten the duration of a cold. A large dose of vitamin C taken at the beginning of a cold may make symptoms less severe and taking the standard dose while you are sick may facilitate a quicker recovery. Doses higher than 2,000 milligrams a day, however, can be harmful.

Having a cold is no fun. Although you will have to wait for it to pass, there are natural remedies that can reduce both symptoms and duration. These remedies have fewer side effects and are often less expensive than the cold medicines sold at the drug store.

5 Hanukkah Crafts and Games for Kids

In addition to the many interactive games for kids to play online during Hanukkah, here are some additional games and crafts they may enjoy.

* The kids can play the Dreidel game. Instead of chocolates, healthy foods such as nuts or dried fruits can be used to put in the pot.

* A variation of musical chairs, have the kids sit on the floor and pass around a Dreidel while a CD is being played. When the music stops, whoever has the Dreidel in hand is eliminated. Continue until one child is left. The winner gets to keep the Dreidel.

* Here is a fun craft for kids. They can make a Menorah using construction paper. They can find and print out a Menorah online, then trace it onto white construction paper. With either crayons or magic markers, they can color the Menorah and proudly hang it in their bedroom or attach it to the refrigerator with a magnet.

* Another fun craft is to make a Star of David chain to hang in the home. They can trace the star using different color construction paper, cut out the stars and using a needle and heavy thread, loop the thread through the top point of the star.

* Kids can also make the Star of David to stick on your front window. All they need is construction paper, scissors and scotch tape. They can design the star, cut it out and scotch tape it to the window. They can also do the same with a handmade picture of a Menorah.

Teaching children from an early age the significance of Hanukkah as well as all of the Jewish Holidays and their meaning is as important as celebrating it with games and crafts.

Reminding them of the symbolism behind the Menorah and the Feast of Lights is a long-standing tradition. As the song goes, tradition allows for the continuity of one’s culture and heritage as the world around them is constantly changing.

Almond Cinnamon Icebox Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
2 (2.45 ounce) packages whole unblanched almonds*

Instructions:

Cream the sugars into the butter. Add eggs, one egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Lastly add the chopped almonds and try to distribute as evenly as possible. Split dough in half and shape into log like rolls. Wrap the rolls in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or until ready to bake. Slice about 1/4 inch thick and top each slice with a whole almond (*you can substitute sliced almonds if you don’t want to use whole ones). Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown edges start to appear, then cool on wire racks.