SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Features
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Gardening
    • How to Start a Garden: Especially if you’re in Zone 3 or Zone 2
    • Seed Starting
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Perennials
    • Cut Flowers
    • Small Space Gardening
  • Recipes
    • Canning
    • Preserving
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • The Best Pumpkin Recipes
    • How to Make a Tempting Christmas Cookie Tray (Plus Recipes!)
  • Popular Posts
  • E-Books
    • Pretty & Practical Garden Planner
    • Cut Flowers Made Simple
    • Constant Colour Perennial Garden
    • Small Garden, Big Harvest
    • Growing Roots Online Gardening Course
    • Frost Proof Flower Garden
    • Bouquets Made Beautiful
    • Savvy Seed Saving Annual Cut flowers
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • Online Gardening Consultations
  • Seasons
    • Christmas

Naturally Sooth a Sore Throat and Cough now with these 6 Best Drinks and Non-Alcoholic Hot Toddies

November 10, 2019

Cold and Flu Season is here and nothing is more frustrating than being knocked out by a sore throat, cold, or the flu.  While there is no cure for a sore throat and cough, there are natural remedies that can make it feel better or get you through a presentation at work or other occasion where you need to use your voice.

You may know me as a garden and food blogger but, in my non-online life, I’ve been a private voice and choir teacher for the last 15 years.  I’ve also sung in many amateur and professional competitions and productions, and know first hand how terrifying it is to try and power through vocally when you’re sick.

I’ve compiled my go-to tricks and non-alcoholic hot toddy recipes to help get through a cough, cold, or sore throat this winter.

Next time a cold has got you down, remember these natural solutions.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase something. You can read more about it in my Privacy Policy. Thanks for supporting Shifting Roots!

Rest Your Voice

The best way to sooth a sore throat is to not talk at all.  *Wah, wah*

Not what you wanted to hear, right?  But it’s the truth.  Talking anymore than the bare minimum is going to do more harm than good.  Don’t whisper either.  Whispering is actually worse for your voice than talking.

Avoid saying anything more than necessary, write more emails, or just call in sick if it’s really bad.

Stay at home Moms and Dads, this is going to be much harder for you.  I confess that it felt practically impossible to rest my voice when my son was a toddler, especially when he was in speech therapy and I had to be constantly on him to use his words.  If at all possible, try to arrange for a babysitter or a trip to Grandma’s so you can relax and get some much-needed rest.

Get Lots of Sleep

I used to be one of those people who just downed a bunch of cold medicine and powered through a cold.  Often my colds took 7 days to heal.

Now, I take the day off and sleep all day the first day of catching a cold.  My cold is usually gone in three days.

The chores, work, etc can wait.  Get some sleep!

If you can’t afford to take time off from your job, go to bed as early as you can, and do as little as possible once you get home for the day.

Make a Non-Alcoholic Hot Toddy

I’m no stranger to lemon-based drinks when I have a sore throat, however, I had never heard of this recipe.  Once of my voice student’s parents suggested it and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s a lovely mixture of honey, lemon, and cinnamon that is surprisingly effective for a sore throat.

Get the recipe here

You could also add ginger or orange juice for flavour and extra soothing properties.

Want to get rid of a cold or sore throat fast? Try this lemon cinnamon honey hot toddy and naturally cure yourself--or at least get a little relief!

David’s Tea Cold 911 Tea

If vocal rest is going to be next to impossible, you need to get some Cold 911 Tea--stat!  The tea itself soothes your throat, and the vapour the tea gives off helps clear your sinuses.  I have personally used this tea to get through the odd singing gig or voice lesson where I wasn’t super sick, but my voice wasn’t at 100% either.

Do not drink this tea if you are pregnant, as it contains juniper berries.

Drink Warm Apple Juice

I love the way warm apple juice feels on a sore throat.  Try and pick brands that contain 100% apple juice (no apple drinks), or warm up your own homemade apple juice if you have it.  Here’s how I make mine, and a couple easy ways to make apple juice if you don’t have a steamer juicer.

Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea

Every classical/opera singer I know swears by this tea.  You can literally tell who is sick in a room full of singers, because they are the ones chugging down this tea like it’s the elixir of life.  If you feel a sore throat coming on or it’s almost over, drinking this tea can sooth it just enough so you can speak easier.

I’ve also tried Yogi Throat Coat Tea, but I don’t like the taste and smell as much. However, I know people who love the Yogi version and don’t like the Traditional Medicinals version, so to each their own.

There are tons of other non-alcoholic natural remedies you can take for colds and sore throats, but these are the ones I personally use.  You can make your own elixir with ingredients like lemon, honey, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric that will make you feel better.  Some singers I know also swear by slippery elm cough drops.  They make my throat feel terrible, but worth a try if you are in dire straits.

Here’s to a speedy recovery!

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Uncategorised Tagged: Cold, Cough, Hot Toddy, rest, sore throat

Calm Your Cough with a Four-Ingredient Hot Toddy

November 8, 2019

Feeling sick?  You’ll want to try my four ingredient, non-alcoholic hot toddy to sooth your cold, cough, or sore throat.  It’s so much better than cough drops!

For the last month I have been sick.  Like hacking-out-a-lung-no-voice-the-doctor-is-my friend-sick.  I think my issues are finally getting sorted out, but I’ve cracked a rib from coughing so hard in the process, so renovations probably won’t be happening until after Christmas.

Update: I did not actually crack a rib, but it sure felt like it!  Apparently I strained my intercostal muscles.  Considering I’m a classical singer and use them more aggressively than most of the population on a regular basis, my cough was extreme.

Learn how to make an easy hot toddy recipe for colds with honey, lemon, and cinnamon. It's one of the best natural remedies for coughs or sore throats. Non-alcoholic, so you can serve it to your kids and feel better in no time. #hottoddy #hottotty #cold #cough #sorethroat #naturalremedy #nonalcoholic #easyrecipe #drink #drinkrecipe
[Read more…]
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

3 Comments
Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: 4 Ingredients, Cinnamon, Cold, Cough, Honey, Hot Toddy, Lemon, simple

Grow roots with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • 5 Easy Ways to Increase Pollination in Your Vegetable Garden
  • Bloom Times: What Cut Flowers Grow When in Zone 3
  • The Best Vegetables & Flowers to Start with Winter Sowing
  • 21 Cut Flowers to Grow in Part Shade
  • The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings (from Budget to Bougie)

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Connect with Shifting Roots On. . .

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Find What You’re Looking For. . .

Privacy Policy

I love seeing the world through this loving boy’ I love seeing the world through this loving boy’s eyes.  Honestly, I’ve been so sick that I wasn’t really in the mood to “do Valentines Day” but there was this sweet little voice going on about how excited he was for today and how much he loves his family and I just couldn’t resist.  So whether you’re on your own, part of a couple, or in the thick of life-with-littles craziness, Happy Valentines Day!

#valentinesday2020 #mylittlevalentine #boymomlife #lifewithlittles
How do you pass a cold -28 day? By planning your How do you pass a cold -28 day?  By planning your garden, of course!  Today in my stories I’ll be going through the steps I take to start planning everything out.  I’m curious, do you start planning now or wait until the last minute?

P.S.  want your own copy of this planner?  This is the newly updated paid version and it’s on sale by itself from now until Sunday for only $5.  If you’re from Canada, use the code CANADA to make $5 USD be closer to $5 CAD.  Head over to the link in my bio to get yours.

#gardenplanning #gardenplanner #gardenersofinstagram #gardenersofig #organizedlife #organizedliving #wintergardening
Curious about growing lettuce indoors? My experim Curious about growing lettuce indoors?  My experiment is a success so far, although it’s still going to be awhile before I’m eating another salad off of them.

Okay, so maybe a little rant today.  I think sometimes in the gardening space we’re guilty of making things seem easier than they are.  Myself included.  This lettuce project is a case in point.

Was it easy?  Yes.  But will it provide me with endless salads all winter long? Nope.  Or at least not at this scale.  I’m going to estimate that I’d need at least 15 plants this size, especially since it’s winter and everything just grows slower.  And I’m the only person in my family who really eats salad.

In conclusion, this is a fun project to pass the winter, and not a truly sustainable source of lettuce.

Thoughts?

#growinglettuce #eatwhatyougrow #growwhatyoueat #wintergardening #indoorgardening #plantproject #sustainablefood #gardenersofinstagram #gardenerslife #northerngardening
Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing ex Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing exactly what to start when.  Every two weeks, I'll be posting these handy guides so you have enough time to order your seeds and be ready to plant when it's time for your area.  To find out when these veggies, herbs, and flowers need to be started where you live. . . ⁠
⁠
1. Search out your area's last frost date.  There are plenty of calculators on the Internet.⁠
⁠
2. Count backwards 8 weeks from that date.⁠
⁠
3. Start these seeds when that date hits.⁠
⁠
If you follow me because we're in similar zones--don't panic, it's not time yet!! I won't be starting my 10 week seeds for another two weeks, and even that is slightly on the early side. (I'm starting everything a bit early so I can hopefully plant it out before baby gets here--I won't be physically able to do it after.) I like posting the info early for followers in warmer zones and so you can save it and still have time to order/buy seeds & supplies.⁠
⁠
Which one of these are you most excited to start?⁠
⁠
#seedstarting #seedlings #homegardener #northerngardener #homesteading #urbandhomesteading #homesteadingskills #gardenlife #gardenlifestyle #startingseeds
Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing the whole seed packet in hopes that a few of these little luffa babies will provide me with zero waste sponges that I can use for home cleaning, and as an exfoliant in home made beauty products.

The catch?

These plants are notoriously hard to grow, especially when you live somewhere cold with a really cold growing season—and if they get a hint of frost on them they turn to mush and all my hard work is ruined.

Gulp.

But gardeners are born optimists, so I’m giving it a shot—because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

P.S. if you’re trying luffa in zone 3 like me, just basically ignore all the directions on the seed packet.  Start them immediately (two weeks ago would have been ideal) and follow along because I’ll show you exactly what to do and when.  I’ll be popping these under a grow light once the sun goes down.

#luffagourd #luffa #loofah #seedlings #seedstarting #northerngardening #northerngardener #gardenersofinstagram #gardenersofig #mygardenthismonth #gardenlife #canadiangardening
This weekend I took a big leap of faith. I came t This weekend I took a big leap of faith.  I came to New York to meet with other content creators/business owners to dig deep into what we do and create a strategy around our messaging.  I don’t even know how to properly describe what all went down, but is was incredibly life changing and I really feel connected to this tribe of women who are committed to playing to win and being the people our businesses need us to be.  I’m so excited to share what I’ve planned for my business with you in the coming months.

#playtowin #gardenblogger #businessowner #wahmlife
Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant? I Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant?  I think the Sansevera or Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s tongue comes close.  Sure, it might be the vanilla of the plant-loving world, but it is so good for so many situations!⁠
⁠
It can handle you forgetting to water it, low light, or bright light.  It is somewhat forgiving if you are an over-waterer. ⁠
⁠
I’ve had this one for 2 or 3 years now and I keep getting rewarded with more spikes.⁠
⁠
Plant lovers, is there another houseplant you think would be perfect for beginners?⁠
⁠
#crazyplantlady #houseplantsofig #houseplantsofinstagram #snakeplant #houseplantlove
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2021

Copyright © 2021 · Beyond Madison Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in