First Aid Fun

Now that we have entered into the season of the Procession of the Holy Cross, we, like our ancestors before us, will begin to pray for a healthy fall and winter.  To make sure this is possible, we will stack the odds in our favor by stocking up on things for our medicine cabinet.  In order to have the best first aid kit, we have compiled a checklist of items we should have on hand.

For the house:

   *band-aids, all sizes, preferably waterproof             *alcohol preps

   *antibiotic ointment / antibacterial spray                  * burn spray

   *ipecac                                                                    * antacid tablets

   * pepto bismol tablets                                              * latex/plastic gloves

   *roll of gauze and surgical tape & scissors                *cotton swabs

   *herbal salve ( recipe to follow!)                                 *peppermints (for sick tummies)

   * allergy drops for itchy eyes                                               

For the car:

   We take an old baby-wipe container and recycle it into a first aid kit for the car!  One year for our VBS, the children made these and enclosed a card, signed by each child, with a picture of a bouquet of flowers which stated that we had sent the recipient a "spiritual bouquet"!  Father took these on his sick calls and distrubuted them to the sick of our parish as a gift from the ECF children.  After we had made the kits, we prayed a rosary together for the healing of all those who would receive our gift!  

  * band-aids, all sizes            

  * antibiotic ointment                                         

  * Alcohol preps (smelling these can stop nausea in its tracks!)

  * antisceptic hand sanitizer

   * peppermints/ ginger candy 

   * gallon zipper bags with a paper towel tucked inside ( in the event that the alcohol preps don't work)

For the medicine cabinet:

  In addition to the traditional pain relievers and cold /flu meds, there are several natural remedies that our family likes to have in place before the cold weather sets in:

    *elderberry syrup, for warding off viruses

    * raw honey for sore throats and allergies

   *. Slippery elm bark, to make tea for sore throats

   * hibiscus flowers, for making a gorgeous red tea with extra vitamin C!

   *. Peppermint, dried for tea, not only to drink, but to make, and then breathe in the steam!  It opens stuffy noses and clears clogged lungs!  We like to mix 2 parts peppermint, 1 part dried sage, and a bit of orange rind.  We place it in a large bowl, add boiling water and breathe deeply with a towel over your head until the liquid cools off and you cough like crazy!...tastes good too, by the way.

A few more items we like to make this time of year include:

Eucalyptus Shower Bombs                                                           Makes about 9 bombs

In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups baking soda and 2/3 cup water.  Add about 25-30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and mix until the mixture resembles a thick paste ( looks like spackle, smell will knock your socks off...just warning you). 

Spoon the paste into muffin tins lined with cupcake papers and set out to dry overnight. 

 In the morning, they should pop out of the tins and be able to be easily handled. ( if not, just dry one more day). These are great for placing in the bottom of the tub when your sick loved-one takes a nice hot shower.  It releases the oils which open the nasal passages and are completely safe for your drains!

We will make a big batch of these and wrap each one in a plastic bag to use, or to give away in a care package when someone we know is sick.  It's great to pack a few of these in a little tote bag with a box of tissues, a few teabags and a jar of our Honey Lemon Marmalade.  A spoonful of this in a nice hot cup of tea really makes you feel warm and comfy!

Honey Lemon Marmalade

3 cups prepared fruit (6 lemons, 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 cups sugar

2 cups honey

1 box powdered pectin

Using a box grater, shred the peel from the lemons into a large sauce pot, add water and baking soda.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, place 7 clean jelly jars into a pot of water and boil for 10 minutes to sterilize.  Keep these hot at all times, removing from the water just before use.  Section the lemons, reserving the juice, and place all of it to the pot with the rind.  Simmer this for 20 minutes, then measure to ensure that there are 4 cups.  Add pectin and bring back to a boil, stirring constantly.  Add sugar and honey all at once, stir to blend and bring back to a rapid boil once again for one full minute.  Remove from heat and ladle into hot prepared jars, fit with sterilized lids and bands and invert jars for 5 minutes.  Turn the jars upright and allow to cool, checking to see that the lids have popped to ensure a proper seal before storage.  

Honey is traditionally blessed on August 1, so it makes sense to use it now.  Soon we will be making honey cookies known as Medovnicky.  These are made by the Basilian sisters at Mount Macrina each year during their annual pilgrimage.  They make them in the shape of a heart, or in the shape of the cross and decorate them exquisitely!  You can choose to shape them any way you want.  When you see ours, I know you'll want to try them!

God bless!