Wassail and Hot Chocolate/ Warm Drinks to HELP With Swine Flu

I received this email the other day and found it helpful and thought that I would pass it along with a couple of recipes that I use during cold and flu season.

"H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates only there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.
Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
What most N95 respirators (face masks) are designed to filter is about 95% particulates of 0.3, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.
Tamiflu drug does not kill the virus, but it prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks during the virus’ natural cycle.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps not fully highlighted in most official communications – can be practiced:
Frequent hand-washing.
“Hands-off-the-face” approach except to eat, bathe, etc.
Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected person. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C, or Vitamin C tablets that contain Zinc to boost absorption.
Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive."

.
Last weekend my sister brought me a pitcher of Wassail (half empty pitcher above) because I was feeling a little under the weather. This drink not only excites me for the holiday season but makes me feel better at the same time. The warm drink and soothing scents help to clear a stuffy nose.

Wassail

2 c. water
1-2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 t. whole cloves

Heat one half hour but don't bring to a boil. Remove that cinnamon and cloves.
Add:
1 c. sugar
1 6 oz. can orange juice concentrate
juice of 1 lemon
6 c. water

Heat thoroughly and serve warm.


Hot Cocoa Mix (I keep this in storage all of the time)

2 c. non dairy creamer
3 c. powdered sugar
3/4-1 c. cocoa
1/2 c. non fat dry milk
1/4 t. salt
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To serve, spoon 2-3 heaping teaspoons mix into mug, add 1 c. boiling water and stir. (Makes 4 c. mix)