Fall Sniffles? Garlic Lemonade to the Rescue!
It's autumn...or soon to be! The Fall Equinox is this week, Saturday, September 22, at 9:54pm ET/7:54pm MT. Can you believe it? I keep asking myself, "where did the summer go?"
Ready or not, we are transitioning again. Transitioning from summer to autumn...every transition means there is a possibility for chaos and stress in the change, and also an opportunity to set ourselves up for success during it--to "manage ourselves" during the change. To "self-regulate". A dear friend of mine, Brigit Viksnins, a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist and trauma relief expert (my term) encourages me, her family, friends, and clients to develop a long "cope rope" to help during times of stress, so that we may "ride them out" with more ease. (The term "ride them out" always reminds this East Coast girl of riding the waves. We used to practice body surfing from the time we were little children...riding the waves into the shore. When we were prepared for a wave, we could ride it straight in to the shore with ease and delight. When we were not prepared, we could get pummeled--ending up tossed about under the water, gasping for air, sand everywhere. The wave would get the best of us. Waves kept coming and coming, especially at high tide. Not ready? Down again. Until we found a place where we could see the patterns of the waves and anticipate their arrival...)
The movement of a season from one into the next means a lot of things on every plane-physical, mental, and emotional. Each season has its own gifts and challenges-and Autumn has its own. The "fall". The "falling of leaves". The leaves fall off the trees and die. A time of "letting go". Once you learn the patterns of a season, you can prepare for the movement so you can move with it instead of being dashed by it...like those waves.
Many people find themselves "catching a cold" this month...being congested this month, feeling sad...others may feel stuck or contracted or judgmental...
There are many things we can do to help us "ride out" this season, and ride it well. If you are one that finds yourself challenged in your respiratory system during this time, Garlic Lemonade is one of my favorite remedies from the kitchen that will help. Start drinking it at the first sign of a sniffle, and it will help you get back to balance.
Garlic Lemonade
makes 1 quart
one lemon, organic, cut in half
6-8 cloves garlic, organic
raw honey to taste
cayenne pepper, optional
Bring pure water to the boil. Place a dinner knife into a quart size ball jar. Pour the boiling water down the knife into the ball jar. (This will keep the jar from cracking from the temperature of the water.)
Smash the garlic cloves on a cutting board with the side of a large knife or cleaver, to release the oils. Peel the garlic cloves and discard the skins.
Chop or mince the garlic, and place in the jar of water.
Cap the jar and steep for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, squeeze the lemon into the jar. (By waiting a bit of time, the water will cool some so you will not lose the enzymes in the lemon because of the heat. If you want to be sure of the temperature, use a digital thermometer and add lemon juice at 118°F or lower to retain the enzymes.) Stir.
(At this point, I will often pour my garlic lemon water into a thermos to hold it at this temperature.)
Pour into your favorite mug. Stir in raw honey to taste. Viola'! Garlic Lemonade. (And for you folks wanting a bit more heat, stir in a pinch or two of cayenne pepper right before you drink it.)
Enjoy! Feel better!
For those of you who would like to learn more about the energetics of the season of Autumn, and other modalities you may utilize to "ride it out" with ease, I am offering an online class--three, 1.5 hour sessions called Being Well through the Seasons: Focus on Fall. Class is Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, September 18, 19 and 21, 6:30pm -8:00pm MT. All sessions will be recorded. More information http://bit.ly/2vomQpG