The best, boozy cure for colds and flu + Shoppers giveaway

This post is sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart, but all opinions are my own.

I could handle cold and flu season if it meant yes to binge-watching and yummy drinks, but no to the aches and pains. The older I get, the more paranoid I am about coming down with something. If I do, who will take Eve to school? How will dinner happen? Will an editor be forgiving if I ask for a deadline extension? (I know the answer to the first two questions, not the third.)

I seriously try to take better care of myself at this time of year. It’s tweaking little things, like cutting back on sugar and getting more rest. And if I’m being honest, trading my nightly glass of red for a hot toddy. Sounds, ridiculous, I know, but it’s a more medicinal swap that I think helps with cold and flu prevention. The moment I feel a twinge of something coming on, I whip up a hot toddy. It’s super easy.

Hot Toddy Recipe

• 1 Cup boiling water
• 1/2 a lemon
• 1 Tablespoon of honey
• 1 Ounce of whisky (I like the spiced ones like gingerbread, but nothing pecan or maple flavoured, as those are way too sweet.)

Stir everything together and enjoy. A hot toddy makes me feel so much better even when I’m not sick. It’s pure comfort. I’m no doctor, but when I’m coming down with something I’m told it helps because:

• Alcohol dilates blood vessels, which makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection.
• Honey is well known to soothe sore throats.
• Lemon is just plain good for you.
• The steam from the hot water helps you breathe when you’re all stuffed up.

If you’re down with that, you’re sure to adore the rest of my (occasionally unconventional) tips for staying healthy this season.

Healthy habits of Jody’s

1. I take astragalus, like all the time in autumn and winter. It’s a Chinese root that’s a major immunity booster. Is it a placebo? Dunno. Don’t care. I think it works, which is the main thing. Most Shoppers carry astragalus in their vitamin section.
2. I think more about my sugar intake this time of year. I want my immune system to be in tip top shape and sugar lowers it. The one exception I have to this are hot toddies, because a gal’s gotta live.
3. Research says you can’t sweat out a cold or a flu. Fine, but I know I feel better after doing hot yoga. I eat way more mindfully after practice and am less stressed. Try it on a Sunday night to banish the Sunday night blues.
4. I wash my hands every time I walk into our home. And after putting away the groceries. And before eating anything.
5. If I’m working at a coffee shop or the library, I wipe down the table before setting up my PC. Yeah, I realize this makes me look a tad OCD, but whatevs.
6. When I travel (car, plane, you name it) I carry anti-bacterial sanitizer in my pocket along with a rich hand cream, so hands don’t totally dry up.

But listen, I’m no healthcare expert. Talk to your doctor or more conveniently, your local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist for better suggestions and information on cold and flu prevention.

What to do during flu prevention week

This week, October 29 to November 2 is flu prevention week. Admittedly, it’s not the most exciting thing to celebrate, but it is a good excuse to talk to your family about upping their game when it comes to preventing sickness. It’s also an ideal time to get the flu shot. 

Getting the flu vaccine doesn’t mean you 100% won’t get the flu this season but it is your best defence. If you heard of Jude and his family’s heartbreaking story, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Shoppers Drug Marts in Alberta (and across Canada) are now running flu clinics with injection-certified pharmacists. What a cool job title, hey? Anyway, it’s super convenient. Just waltz in while you’re running errands, get the jab and feel smug you’ve done something good for yourself and those around you.

Shoppers giveaway

Shoppers Drug Mart is offering a super robust FluFighter prize pack ($150 value) to one lucky Travels with Baggage reader.

To enter

• Comment below with your best flu prevention tips and tricks for staying flu free.
• Receive another entry for liking this post on Instagram and following me there.

Rules

• Entrants must be over 18-years of age and residents of Canada.
• Contest closes by midnight, November 6, 2018. All entries must be received by then.

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