Making a meal to comfort your sick child

Amelia started at a new learning center this past week. I could not be happier about the environment and look forward to her growth there.

However, with a new setting, new children and a new germ pool, comes well a potential for a little cold or croup. Poor little dear got both this week and she became very clingy and anxious to feel better. When you child is not feeling well, you heart aches to make him or her feel better. There is something in their precious little faces that just says, "mommy please take this feeling away" and it can tear us parents apart.

Certain foods can really repair your spirits when you are not feeling well. A lot of our memories are formed around these foods restoring our health as children. I suppose that is why they are called "comfort" foods. I know for me, when I was a child, my mother made the best herbal tea and toast combination. I am not sure what she did to that slice of bread, but whenever I am feeling ill, that is what I make for myself.

For my own daughter, the thing she loves the most when she is not feeling so well is lime Popsicles. It soothes her throat and the tart lime helps put much needed vitamin-c into her little system. Making lime Popsicles are actually a bit more complicated than just lime juice and sugar. There has to be a perfect balance between the tart and the sweet to sooth the delicate palate of a toddler or child. Here is my recipe for lime Popsicles.

Sore throat limecicles:

• 2 cups of fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup of simple syrup
• lemon zest
• Popsicle mold
• splash of orange juice for flavor and a kick of vitamin-c

Store in freezer until ready to serve. Let your little one enjoy this when they have a soar throat or cold.

When your child has an upset stomach or a case of bathroom issues. Soothing their tummy and replacing their electrolytes is vital for hydration.

There are many restoratives for this, home cures, marketed cures etc... I have found that a combination of bananas, apples and rice water is brilliant for this type of illness. It soothes their delicate little tummies and gives them the vitamins and nutrients they need to get better fast. Plus, it is really yummy. Serve with some toast or crackers and they will be feeling better fast.

Banana, apple and rice water smoothie:

• 1/4 cup of plain white rice
• One banana
• One apple
• pinch of ginger (very small pinch)
• All natural apple juice

In a small sauce pan, bring water to a slow simmer and then add the rice. Let simmer for about five minutes and then drain the rice water into a cup or container. Leave rice if you wish for a dish to be served later or discard.

Peel the apple and banana and then to a medium dice. 1/2" x 1/2' x 1/2" cubes or close to that. Place in blender with strained rice water, pinch of ginger and some apple juice.

Serve in a special cup with a straw. This is also good for any morning sickness associated with pregnancy.

I truly hope that your little ones stay healthy this fall and everyone grows and learns as the new school season begins.

Cheers!