In winter season, cold, cough and sneezes are much more common and sickness can persist with little kids. Many people recommend chicken soup for remedy but when you are vegetarian there are still other ways to feeling better, one of the thing many Indians like to eat is Khichadi, the recipe follows after tips to survive cold and coughs in your family. Stay warm and healthy.
Here are a few tips I found to survive sickness days in family, hope they help you as well.
- “starve cold and feed fever” is told by many people. It simply does not seem to work for us always, simply little kids so instead we try toeat fresh cooked food such as Kichadi or Daal (lentil soup) with Rice and drink plenty of water as we can. Usually when we are sick, many of us do not eat well, and that is okay too.
- Get plenty of rest for kids and us.
- When little kids or we are sick, we can use some pampering and holding so everything else in house is affected such as house being kept not clean or clothes remain unfolded for those days. That is okay. Life is all about balance, we all have only 24 hours to do it all.
- We missed a few days of school and we took it easy including blogging. I missed it but I had no other choice.
- Sleep as well as you can. Take shower and groom to make yourself lift up when you get little energy.
- There are no tips that fits all, do what works for you and your family. We all have our ways of feeling better.
- Sometimes fever is best way for our body to fight infection, don’t start right away to reduce fever, unless it gets high. Get opinion from doctors as needed.
Stay well.
How to Make Khichadi: My mom always made special khichadi when we were sick as kids, and now we do that for our kids and us. Khichadi is made with rice and daal and perfect food for health, it can be cooked with cashew, veggies and herb to make it more special.
Ingredients :
- 1 cup white basmati rice, washed in water and drained
- 1 cup yellow lentils (Also known as yellow moong dal), washed and soaked in water and drained
- About 4 cups of water
- 1/2 (half) teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon oil
- Salt to taste
Method :
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. (Preferably one with a cover, which will be able to contain the amount of rice and lentils cooked.)
- When oil is hot, add cumin seeds. Allow cumin seeds to splutter but do not let them get burnt.
- Fold in the yellow lentils and rice. Mix cumin seeds thoroughly with the lentils and rice.
- Stir in water and salt.
- Bring to boil.
- Lower the heat, partially cover the pot and cook until the rice is cooked.
- Serve hot with a sprinkling of coriander. This dish can also be served with some plain yoghurt.
Khichdi can also be cooked in a pressure cooker or in a microwave. In both cases, the cooking time should be reduced to about 20 – 30 minutes.
An Amazing Benefits of Laughter Yoga: This post from Angela is uplifting, while I have not done laughter yoga, I agree there are so many benefits that comes with laughing and smiling. See my post: 101 change: Smile when you wake up.
10 fun and healthy food for kids: As a mother of 2 active little boys, I am always looking for healthy snacks to keep in car and at home that they love and I do too. Guest post by Uttaron Sen at Evelyn’s blog is great and I think I like these snacks as an adult too. Afterall, we are what we eat!
Frozen: This post by my friend Raul has written about rebuilding his engine and not being able to spend time blogging, I feel same way, instead of engine, we are trying to rebuild our immune systems where we are sneezing and coughing. Check out his coffee with devil post as well. Check out: Feeling Stuck?
Only 100 words you should read Today: This post from Pat is right on spot. Although I am not in internet marketing niche as he is, I simply am impress with his authenticity he brings to his blog. If you have not check it out, do so, lot of gems there. Check out: Finding Your values part 1 and Part 2.
We made it to Florance: Rachel and her family decided to take time and try living in Florance, Italy with 2 little kids. I am looking forward to their adventure living in Italy. Way to Go Rachel and Doug. Also check out: Stretch your comfort zone.
Vada Pav for Superbowl Sunday: This recipe from Vaishali is perfect finger food addition to any superbowl Sunday. While we are still recovering, I am looking forward to making and eating these, veggie type burgers with home made chai soon.
Hope all of you are wonderful day!
Zengirl
Wow that Khichadi looks delicious. I can vividly see it knocking out any cold! Every once in a while the body wants us to stop, calm and rest… it is important to listen and use our sick time as mindful resting time.
I really liked the link to Khichadi and the one to the 10 fun & healthy snacks. 🙂
Colds and flus happen – and they can really knock us down sometimes. Hope your family’s sick days are done for the year 🙂 (I can hope, right?)
Sorry you’ve all been feeling under the weather, Preeti. I would like to try to make that Khichadi one day. It does look good!
Hi Preeti,
The Khichadi looks like it tastes yummy. I checked out the recipe and it is packed with a lot of good spices.
Take good care of yourselves and take it easy.
Uttoran wrote a very good guest post and I appreciate you sharing it with your readers.
Talk to you soon!
Evelyn
Hey Preeti,
I also like Khichadi very much, its really very delicious and light food. My Mom cooked it very well, actually its very easy to cook it.
Its amazing to read about positive aspect of cold and fever. I like your tips about family and domestic issues.
Keep writing good content!
Nazam Warriach
Hi Preeti,
I really enjoyed reading this.
I think writing from the heart is the best! I feel like I’m right with you at your home when you write from the heart.
I love Indian cooking. One of my absolute favorite things is lentils too.
Aside from loving Indian food – I also love laughter! I haven’t tried Laughter Yoga, but I sure do want to.
Thanks for mentioning my post here.
hello preeti
how are you?
it’s such a coincidence my little boy has been down with flu this weeek and has missed 3 days of school too. i hope your son gets much better and you are quite right they need as much rest as they can get.
take care of yourself and love to your son
Ayo,
I feel for you, I hope your son gets better soon as well. Right now both of kids have cold and fever, it is not fun for kids and parents both. They are clingy and want to be held and parents need to just leave everything and hold them and take care of them. Weather change and winter time are tough on many kids. Here wishing well for our kids and others who are sick with cold.
Angela,
Yes, writing from heart has given me many non monetary rewards. I thought of making little money to cover hosting but I am leaving that to side for now and focus on heart part!. I love various Indian and international cooking. Kichadi has a special place in my home, it is easy to cook in pressure cooker or rice cooker too and has much protein and nutrients. Happy to mention your post, enjoyed it. Take care.
Nazim,
I am glad your mom cooked khichadi, it is our special meal that my son loves it even when he is not sick. 🙂 Yes, I am trying to find positive and education in everything in life as I am growing older, I am realizing there is so much more to learn. Take care.
Evelyn,
You can make khichadi very simple or fancy with vegetables as you like, more watery or less, it is versatile. You may check Indian or ethnic store for some of the ingredient or make simple version of rice, lentil, salt, ginger and some veggies and it will turn out great as well. I know you like to also eat healthy and good food, this can fall in that catagory as well it is vegan, (if you do not use ghee : Clarified butter).
I agree, I loved the guest post that I mentioned.! I did not realize it was not by you. Thank you for letting me know.
Besty,
Thank you, it has been on and off sickness and Little P has been sick often due to his weak immune system but we are improving everyday so it is good thing. You will love khichadi, as it is simple, easy to make and inexpensive also. If you do make it let me know, how you liked it.
Aileen,
I am glad you liked the posts I mentioned.
Yes, cold and fever are part of lives, we are bit down but hopefully not for long. How have you been? I hope well..
Rob,
Yes, khichadi is like vegan version of chicken noddle soup for me and my family. It seems to do the trick, maybe it is psychological or maybe it is the ingredients, not sure. But I love how easy it is to make it too. We are trying to rest and recover soon. Thank you. Wishing you are staying well.
Dear Preeti, sorry to hear you’re sick– Desi and I were down almost all of last week with a flu-like fever and cold. Stay warm and get plenty of rest, and hope to see you blogging again once you’re feeling better. And Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hello Preeti Bhatt, how are you doing? It is been a long time i checked your blog, since i was away on a vacation. My last comment was, as i recall, was on your akismet post.
Thanks for mentioning my guest post that i did on the evelyn’s blog. Now it is time to check out the rest of your mentioned links.
About the khichadi, my mom makes it sometimes and it is pretty good, however the variety of pulses being used in it makes it a bit rich, and goes strong on my stomach. The recipe you mentioned sounds a bit lite, i too get this one when am sick.
As for the weak immune, why not try a few immune boosting foods. Being Indian our foods can’t go without ginger and garlic which are both immune boosters. Also, i have already mentioned yoghurt, on the “snack article” on evelyn’s blog, you can give that a try.
This sounds like something my stomach needs to digest with due diligence. I think i may email this receipt to my girlfriend. So she cook me up a dish asap.
Preeti: It has been far too long since my last visit here. I also have had a lot going on. Thanks for all the great tips that can help you manage through colds and other sickness. Unlike where you are, we have continual cold weather and it seems like at least one person close to me is always sneezing, coughing or has some sort of runny nose. Will definitely check out those posts you recommended. Thanks for passing them along.
Sibyl,
Yes, It sure has been awhile, looks like we both have many things on plate. Yes, weather has been very unpredictable here. We have been sick on and off and with other things in life, when it rains, it pours and I sure got my hand and mind full. I hope things eventually go back to normal in month or so.
Jonathan,
Yes, it is very easy recipe, anyone can make it, I am sure you can also. Take care.
Uttoran,
Yes, it is good to see you again. I have corrected info on my post regarding your guest post! Khichadi has its many benefits, and it is great for digesting and easy to make. We often make it even when we are not sick! 🙂 I love using ginger and garlic in my cooking. Yes, your post was great about healthy eating, great job on guest posting! I love evelyn and her blog.
Vaishali,
I am sorry to hear you were sick too! I hope things are better with you all. Right now, we are getting back to normal but other things in life are keeping me busy. I hope things go back to normal soon for many of us. It is always lovely to see you here.
Parents should closely monitor their children, and if they have any concerns about treating the child’s fever, they should check with their pediatrician.
Ward,
Good idea. Thanks for the tip.