You can't beat ginger root!

   Here lately, it seems that almost everyone I talk to has had, does have or knows someone who has a nasty cold.  The cold that is making its rounds throughout the neighborhood is the same one that nigh on everyone in the country is suffering.  It is obviously one rough ailment which is why I have been trying my best to avoid coming in contact with anyone sick.  I, most likely, will come down with this illness eventually but I am taking steps to build my immune system.   Vitamin C is a must, it seems so kumquats and cranberries have become my best friends! Another BFF is my old, trusty ginger root.  Fresh ginger root has a couple of fine things in it called gingerols and shaogals.  (Strange names for good things!) These two things are anti-inflammatory agents that help cure any sore throat but the most fantastic thing about them is the fact that they literally kill rhinoviruses!  What are rhinoviruses, you may ask?  Well, those are the nasty things that cause colds in the first place.  Kill those and your cold does not have a chance!  My advice is to catch the nasty, old rhinovirus as soon as you are exposed.  If you do this, it does not have a chance to catch hold.  So...in other words...drink ginger tea regularly!

  For the past few weeks, (since the onslaught of illnesses in our area) Mark and I have been following a routine of drinking our herbal tisanes. Several times a day, we have a cup of herbal brew that contains fresh ginger root and star anise.  So far, thank the Good Lord, we have avoided any problems.  Our tisane (which is a fancy word for herbal "tea" that does not actually contain tea leaves!) includes our favorite flavor of herbal tea with a hefty size chunk of fresh ginger root and a piece of star anise.  This is sweetened with local honey for a bit of delightfulness! When brewed the flavors meld together nicely.  We have found that our favorites are the fruit or berry flavored teas.  They seem to lend themselves to being spiced up with these two herbs. There is nothing better to warm the body on a cold day than a good cup of tisane! (It also helps to have some fresh baked cinnamon bread and serve the tisane using lovely handmade coasters!  These were made by my sweet niece Eva and her husband Erik!  Beautiful, aren't they?)

  Ginger root seems to be the key ingredient in so many home remedies which makes me think it should also be an important part of everyone's gardens.  PLANT THAT GINGER ROOT, FOLKS!  Once you successfully get it rooted, it is relatively easy to grow.  Just make sure to plant it in a sheltered area since it does not seem to like wind.  Then, when you need a piece of root, just pull back the soil and break off a small chunk leaving the main root intact.  Your plant should grow forever!  Plus, you have the added benefit of some lovely flowers in the spring!  Ginger is wonderful!