Stomach Flu
2020. My children’s bodies decided, perhaps colluding with the collective conscience, that January would be their month to purge. Smart really, considering the decadence of December, where when visiting my hometown of London, all food rules go out the window. Eat what you want, organic or not. Copious amounts of crisps, sweets, take-aways and restaurants. Perhaps my own subconscious making up for the months not spent there, one mouthful at a time.
What we initially thought was food poisoning began 10 days ago in London. A cancelled flight, and a continent later, here we are, still in the throws of it. This isn’t our first rodeo, but it’s certainly protracted.
Saccharomyces Boulardi
This probiotic derived from yeast is commonly used for treating and preventing diarrhea. “Including infectious types such as rotaviral diarrhea in children, diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal (GI) take-over (overgrowth) by "bad" bacteria in adults, traveler's diarrhea, and diarrhea associated with tube feedings. It is also used to prevent and treat diarrhea caused by the use of antibiotics.” Webmd.com
Break capsule in half, add to Yoghurt and mix with honey to sweeten.
Electrolytes
Wholefoods sells a variety of non gmo electrolyte powders, waters and drinks. None of them taste good. Electrolytes are essentially minerals, including Magnesium and Zinc, Salts and Sugars. It’s a struggle getting my kids to drink these. They settle for Coconut Water and Fiji bottled water, both with naturally occurring electrolytes.
Fluids
Coconut Water, Broth, Chamomile Tea, Mineral Water.
Chicken Broth
Place a whole organic pastured Chicken on the rack of a roasting pan. Season with a little Extra Virging Olive Oil and Celtic Sea or Himalayan Salt. Bake in the oven for an hour and a half or until cooked through and the juices run clear. Remove and allow to cool. Remove Chicken Meat from Carcass and keep in a store in a tupperware to add to meals over the next couple of days. Place Carcass and bones and any leftover meat in a large pot. Add 8 cups drinking Water, 1 Tsp. Salt, 1 Onion, peeled and quartered and a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low heat for 3-6 hours. Remove from heat, cool and sift the Broth into another pot. Serve in mugs for sipping, use for Soups, to cook Rice in, to add to Potatoes etc.
Organic Banana Smoothies, serves 2
3 Bananas, peeled and chopped
1/4 Cup A2/Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Coconut Water
2 Ice cubes
Blitz and serve with a straw
Organic Black Applesauce
Activated Charcoal binds onto toxins in the body, and aids in elimination. See Article. As with everything, do your own research. As well as binding to toxins, Charcoal also binds to the good stuff, so we don’t want to use it for too long; two or three days max.
To make Applesauce, peel, de-core and dice your apples. I’m using Fuji. Steam until tender (approx. 7-10 minutes). Add a tiny amount of Coconut or Olive Oil and blitz to a puree. A small amount of Ginger and or Cinnamon can be added if tolerated.
Activated Charcoal + Applesauce = Black Applesauce. 200 mgs once a day, for no longer than three days. This is not recommended for children under 3 years of age.
Organic Japanese Sweet Potato Mash
High in anti-oxidants and easy on the stomach. Wash whole Japanese Sweet Potato, place on a baking tray. Bake in a 400F oven for 1 - 1.5 hours until cooked through. Allow to cool slightly, cut in half, remove skin and mash the Potato with a fork. Thin with Chicken Stock until smooth. Add a sprinkle of Celtic Sea, or Himalayan Sea Salt.
Organic Potato Carrot Soup, serves 2.
4 Cups home made Chicken Broth
2/3 Cup pre-soaked Basmati Rice
1 Russet Potato, peeled and chopped
1 Large/2 small Carrots, peeled and chopped
1 Tsp. Apple Cider Vingear
A small amount of fresh Ginger (see pic), peeled
1 Tsp. Turmeric powder, if you have fresh, peel and use the same amount as the Ginger
1/2 Tsp. Fennel, ground until fine
Celtic Sea Salt/Himalayan Sea Salt, to taste
Combine ingredients, bring to a boil, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes or until Vegetables are tender. Optional to add cooked shredded Chicken at the end.
Epsom Salt Baths
These will help restore magnesium and salts via the epidermis.
Once or twice a day, with some soothing music, candles and a few drops of Peppermint essential oil.
Pre- soaked Basmati Rice
“In general, soaking any type of grain prior to cooking renders its nutrients more digestible by breaking down and neutralizing phytic acid, which is an anti-nutrient that prevents the absorption of calcium, zinc, and other minerals” Source.
Wash and soak Rice in tepid water, a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar and a splash of Salt for a few hours before cooking. Drain and rinse. Cook in home made Broth (approx. 20 minutes). Serve with a little Greek Yoghurt mixed in. Cooked Chicken optional.
Toast
Once a day, dry or with a tiny bit of grass fed Butter, sprinkled with some Himalayan Salt to replenish lost Salts.
Oregano Oil - for adult use only
See article Oregano Oil contains Carvacrol which is a powerful tool against stomach bugs. In lab tests, Carvacrol has proven especially effective against Norovirus which is a common culprit of stomach flu. (See article). Thymol, the other antioxidant found in oregano oil also helps protect against toxins and fights fungal infections.
Last but not least, the best recipe is always laughter. As important as it is to get all the right foods in, laughter and well being will aid in healing.
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