Source for this image here.
Little Bear has got another cold, poor girl, so this morning I made her a mug of lemon and honey. This is a traditional cure for a cold that my mother has passed on to me. It is very easy to make!
(Source as above).
Take one lemon, a teaspoon of honey, and some boiled water. Squeeze the lemon and then pour the juice into a mug. Add the boiled water, and a teaspoon or two of honey (make sure it is a good quality brand - orange flower is nice). Stir well and serve!
Nutritionally, honey isn't really very different from sugar - it is 55% fructose, a form of sugar found in fruit, and has the same amount of calories as cane sugar, although because it hasn't been processed and refined, it is probably better as a sweetener, but not significantly. It does have some trace minerals in it, including the B vitamins, however, and is also known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. This is why it is good for colds. Also, honey coats the throat as it is swallowed, so it can soothe and heal a sore throat.
Lemons on the other hand, are full of vitamin C, which is great for healing colds and other viruses. They also have traces of other vitamins and minerals, including calcium and iron! Of course there are better sources of these nutrients, but as a lemon is a good source of vitamin C, if you are feeling ill and not wanting to eat much, lemon juice is a good way to top up on this nutrient.
This afternoon Little Bear started to feel a lot better - and was able to get up and do some chores and some college work! We have had a very nice cosy day at home today - Papa Bear took the day off work yesterday so we were able to do our supermarket shop then instead of first thing this morning, which was nice. And best of all, he has got a week's vacation from work this coming week - so we will all be at home together every day! How lovely - and we have some nice things to look forwards to as well - it is Papa Bear's birthday proper this week, so we shall be celebrating that, and enjoying another special meal which I have all planned! Oh I am so glad to have my family all around me, and so many nice things to do!
