Under the Weather, and a Little Over It

Disclaimer: Some graphic descriptions of symptoms ahead. Read at your own risk—or sip your ginger tea while you're at it.

I’ve been down for the count this week— nose running like a faucet, and sleep? Practically non-existent. It’s not just the being sick that’s frustrating, it’s the way I got here that’s got me shaking my head.

Last week, I ran a few errands, one of them being the bank. I walked in, took my spot in line, and immediately noticed the only teller behind the plexiglass was coughing her lungs out. And I mean, this wasn’t a casual little throat clear. She was hacking. For a solid five minutes, I stood there—watching, waiting, wondering if she was choking on water.

She glanced up and, politely enough, said, “I’m sorry, I’ll be with you in just a moment.”

A few more minutes go by and she walks over to help me, smiling through watery eyes, and says: “You know when you’re just getting over a cough and you can’t shake it?”

Ma’am.

I should have walked out. I should have chosen to leave. But I didn’t. And to top it all off—no visible hand sanitizing before she handled my stuff. I don’t want to be rude, but it’s hard to not give the stink eye when folks don’t cover their mouths or take even the smallest steps to avoid getting others sick.

A few days later, boom. Woke up with a lump in my throat. That lump turned into a sore throat, then escalated quickly to blood-tinged mucus. Lovely, right? My nose started leaking non-stop—hello, post-nasal drip—and now I can’t lay flat without triggering a coughing fit. Sleep is a joke unless I’m propped up like I’m trying to get service in a canyon.

And here’s the kicker: I pride myself on staying healthy. I’m diligent. I sanitize, hydrate, get sun, and load up on immune-boosting goodies. But sometimes, I think our bodies get loud when we ignore the whisper. Stress has a way of knocking our immunity down a few pegs. Maybe this is my body's way of forcing me to rest, even if it’s in the most annoying, mucus-y way possible.

For now, I’m leaning into my recovery rituals. Daily, I’m taking my homemade Vitamin C Immune Booster, which is packed with:

• Fresh ginger (anti-inflammatory, immune support)

• Pineapple juice (bromelain to soothe cough and congestion)

• Oranges and lemon (hello, vitamin C!)

On top of that, I’m loading up on Elderberry Immune Syrup, which includes:

• Elderberry – known for its antiviral properties and rich in antioxidants

• Echinacea – supports the immune system and may reduce duration of illness

• Zinc & Vitamin C – powerful duo to fight off infection and inflammation

All this to say: take care of yourself and take care of others. Cover your coughs. Sanitize your hands. Stay home if you're sick. Not just for your own recovery, but for the sake of the person behind you in line who's doing their best to stay well.

So I’ll ask you—what are you doing to stay healthy, prevent illness, and recover faster?

Here’s my go-to Vitamin C Immune Booster recipe below:

Homemade Vitamin C Immune Booster Recipe
Take 1-2 oz daily during cold/flu season or when feeling run down.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh pineapple juice

• Juice of 2 oranges

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (peeled and grated or juiced)

• Optional: 1 tbsp raw honey (for taste and antibacterial properties)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle or jar.

2. Blend in a blender or Shake well before each use.

3. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

4. Take one small shot full as needed daily

Sending love, sniffles, and side-eye to inconsiderate coughers everywhere. Stay well out there. 💛