Ills, Chills & Allergies

Ok its Christmas, so if I suggest you give people apples and nuts you are going to think I am Scrooge.  However, there are some practical and pleasant things we can buy people that offer a healthy option.

1. Vitamin C

This supplement is pretty cheap and is ideal for supporting you through those hangovers.  Vitamin C is also needed by the adrenal glands, which can be busy in the run up to Christmas handling stress.  Vitamin C is also helpful when the body is handling allergies and for avoiding ills and chills when run down.  It is also one of the key nutrients for supporting healthy skin.

Finally some people who have been overeating, or having too many gluten containing foods, find that they have trouble with their bowel not functioning daily.  Having a double dose of vitamin C can help with this issue or you could have a couple of kiwi fruit.

2. Chocolate almonds

It is likely that we are going to reach for sweet treats at this time of year, so my suggestion is chocolate almonds.  This is because they taste great, but also are low on the glycaemic index, which is a scale that measures the affects of foods on our blood sugar.    The reason that they are low, in preference to most chocolates that score high, is that the nuts are protein, so help reduce the sugar serge from the chocolate.  When you spike your sugar levels eating a whole bunch of high GI foods, you generally come down with a bump and feel tired, sluggish and needing more sugar afterwards.

3. Lavender oil

If you have read any of my other articles, you would know I am very fond of this little first aid treasure.  It is antimicrobial so can be used to clean cuts without stinging (great for children and winging husbands) and can be used for itchy bites and burns (including sunburn).  Small and portable it is great to pack up and take away to the batch, plus it smells good.

4. Herbal teas

These days there are lots of really interesting herbal teas out there.  Some are just tasty and fruity, but others can have therapeutic benefits; some of which may be helpful at this time of year.  Peppermint tea for instance helps settle the stomach for those who have pigged out and are left regretting it afterwards.  Same is true of fennel and chamomile that can help with gas and bloating.  Chamomile, along with lemon balm, is also good for relaxing, unwinding and sleep.  This will be much needed after all the last minute shopping and Christmas preparations.  Finally green tea is good to help with detoxification after all those Christmas treats.

Remember if you have teas without caffeine they also count towards your water intake.  Keep hydrated these holidays and make sure you get your 1.5l a day.  This will help avoid headaches.

5. Grab a jab

For the person who has everything or is a philanthropist you can buy presents from the Tear Fund web site.  If you donate $10 you can get an injection for a child overseas.  For $5 you can buy a child some jandals, in a country where they can’t afford shoes.  Or you could splash out and donate $12 for a chicken. 

This isn’t the only charity doing this sort of thing and they don’t always have to be overseas charities. There are several NZ children’s charities.

Share your Secret Santa Ideas here...