Cough cough!
Does this sound like you? Some chest infections and symptoms seem to go on…forever! Coughing, mucous, phlegm (the word even sounds nasty), dry, painful, irritated airways and an aching chest. A chest infection or cold/pneumonia can cause coughing that is so hard, or continuous, that it begins to affect the intercostal muscles and nerves between the ribs. This can lead to months and months of chest pain and reduced lung capacity when breathing and it’s often hard to diagnose. Reduced lung capacity reduces your overall oxygen levels, which can lead to aches and pain due to oxidation (think RUSTING), and less oxygen circulating means poor wound healing, lack of energy, shortness of breath and physical, mental and emotional fatigue. Lungs can be hard to heal – simply because they never get a rest… we need to breathe 24-7!
Warming the body (the lungs) with nourishing foods that are anti-inflammatory and spiced with healing herbs and spices that help open the airways can be very helpful, along with natural, pure, unpasteurized honey (local honey or manuka honey is best) – added to teas and warm liquids. Pineapple (my favourite) is also pretty close to orange… in that this bright yellow, tropical fruit is full of bromelain – a powerful little enzyme that helps break apart mucous and puts the flames of inflammation out!
Add a good quality, natural ZINC supplement such as zinc glycinate or picolinate to your daily “WARM HUGS” (teas, soups, people who are warm and hug you!) and you’ll be feeling FANTASTIC as you begin to breathe again.
WARM HUG “Orange” SOUP
This soup is yummy and just like a warm hug for your lungs. The spices (which are optional as you wish) are all nourishing for the lungs and airways, opening up the breathing, clearing away mucous and reducing inflammation. ORANGE foods are great for the lungs to help with seasonal colds and flu, bronchitis and even pneumonia. If it’s ORANGE – eat it! This part of the rainbow opens up your airways so you can
B R E A T H E!
Adjust ingredients to suit your taste
6 cups organic chicken broth or vegetable broth
2 cups diced butternut squash (can use 1 cup each acorn and butternut)
3 carrots, chopped
1 large sweet potato – diced
1 can of pure pumpkin
2 cored green apples, peeled or pure unsweetened applesauce
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Cinnamon to taste
Nutmeg to taste
1 dash pure vanilla extract (not the fake stuff)
Maple syrup – add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup as to your liking
(SPICE IT UP with 1 tsp Ginger (fresh grated), 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp fresh chopped cilantro – IF DESIRED)
COOK and blend in blender or with hand-blender until creamy smooth. Turn down temperature to cool a bit then add 1 cup coconut milk. Sprinkle on pumpkin seeds (they’re full of ZINC), swirl in some coconut cream, add a dash of cinnamon and FEEL REALLY GOOD!
Enjoy!
