Pink Lemonade Slush

When I was a child I remember being offered ice cream to soothe my sore throat. As an adult, I’m aware that dairy products can increase mucus production which will only make snotty noses and sore throats worse.

Making your own sorbet or slush at home is a healthy alternative to ice cream and guaranteed to make your child feel a little better. Its high water content leaves you safe in the knowledge that your child is getting a good fluid intake; essential if there is a fever.

Here is our version of pink lemonade slush:

500ml Pink Lemonade
1 Egg white
A few drops of natural pink food colouring

Whisk the egg whites slightly then pop all the ingredients straight into your home ice-cream maker and you’ll have delicious, satin smooth slush in around 20 minutes!

My ice cream maker is by Cusinart and involves freezing the special bowl for 12 hours; I leave it permanently in the freezer, that way it’s always ready to use.

We have also made Elderflower slush using a diluted cordial and egg white (following the directions for our particular machine). This gives a very subtle flavour and a perfect dinner party dessert!

Jazz up your slush: Turn this simple sorbet into a child’s dessert delight by adding sliced strawberries or whole raspberries and chunks of homemade meringue.
Meringue is another simple item to make at home. It uses just egg whites and caster sugar, a whisk and an oven on a low heat. I follow Nigella Lawson’s recipe which can be found here on a blog by Mouthfuls of Heaven. Click Here for meringue recipe.

How to help your child recover from tonsilitis and other minor illnesses:

At the first sign of coughs, colds and fevers, I always start by adding a little Echinacea to their drinks a couple of times a day. Echinacea is available in children’s form (alcohol-free); follow the dosage suggested on the bottle. Echinacea is a herb that is reputed to boost the immune system.

If your child does NOT have a fever, you can use another herb called Astragalus. This Chinese herb is will boost the immune system and aid the body in fighting the infection. As my children are now older and able to swallow capsules, we take it this way. However, granulated and powdered forms are available from Chinese herbal shops and practitioners.

Frequently, children are given antibiotics by their GP when in fact the mystery illness would pass in 2-4 days without medical intervention. If you live in a country where you pay to visit your GP then many people feel short-changed if they leave without a prescription. This means that on many occasions doctors may issue the prescription just to keep the patient (or the parent) happy. Unfortunately, in the Western world we have become so disconnected with our own bodies and un-tuned to the signals and signs it may give us that many turn to medical help without exploring any other option. I am not a doctor and I’m not suggesting that you don’t see your GP if you are genuinely concerned for your child’s health, but before you rush in with every cough, cold, sniffle or unusual behaviour, remember you’re only getting one opinion; other options are available.

When your child is ill, the most important things it needs are love and cuddles, water, plenty of sleep and, if necessary, a paracetamol based children’s medication.

Many wise men have, throughout history, suggested that food would be our medicine:

“Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food.” – Hippocrates

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” – Thomas Edison

“If the doctors of today do not become the nutritionists of tomorrow, then the nutritionists of today will become the doctors of tomorrow.” – Rockefeller Institute of Medicine Research

Here are two healthy recipes to boost immune function, help prevent illness and promote recovery

during sickness:

Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Fill a large saucepan two-thirds with water.
Add a chicken carcass left from your roast dinner.
Add vegetables:
Onion and garlic, leek and spring onions.
Carrots and celery, 2 small white potatoes with the skin on.
Add herbs:
Fresh thyme, rosemary, parsley and a bay leaf or dried mixed herbs.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add cayenne pepper/fresh chillies and fresh grated ginger if desired.
Bring to the boil then simmer for a couple of hours.

Strain the broth and drink at frequent intervals throughout the day when ill or use to boost the immune system by drinking a few cups one day a week. This makes a delicious stock to use as a base for other dishes too.

To make a vegetarian broth just omit the chicken carcass.

In a blender whizz together these ingredients and enjoy immediately for an ice-coolness that soothes sore throats and boosts antioxidant and vitamin intakes.
Soya milk (unsweetened and fortified) or silken tofu
Frozen raspberries, blackcurrants and blueberries
A cold pressed oil – try hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, Udo’s oil or similar blend of Omega 3,6,9 fats.

That’s all from me today, I’m off to make another batch of slush as requested by my poorly daughter. This time it’s Elderflower flavour, using Elderfower cordial. Yummy! Then she wants to plant some flowers….I think she’s ready to go back to school tomorrow, don’t you?!

Until next week,
Lorraine

Ps. For more healthy recipes and meal/snack ideas, visit my Facebook Business Page by clicking on the green FB logo below. Follow me on Twitter for lots of fit, healthy and motivational Tweets!