Healthy Living

Monday, 25 July 2011

Cold or Flu

I felt the onset Friday morning. My right nostril was clogged with a mild headache. I took paracetamol - the symptoms were manageable. I was alright - just a bit tired. We dropped by the chemist on the way to the supermarket to pick-up cold and flu medicine. I bought the generic one as I was told they are the same as that of the branded. It doesn't matter. But it's the third day now, and I don't feel any better. Last night, Mcj told me that the medication I bought is milder compared to that of the branded stuff. So today, I am taking the branded ones. Hopefully, I'll get better to go to work tomorrow.

But I wonder, what do I really feel. Cold or flu. I have been using them interchangeably without really knowing what is what. Thanks to about.com, I'm about to find out.

What is the difference between the cold and flu?

The common cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. So how can you differentiate between the two?

The main difference between the common cold and the flu (influenza) is the severity of the symptoms.

Flu symptoms generally:
Come on quickly and severely.
Include fever, which tend to be higher and last longer (3 to 4 days) than the occasional low-grade fever that may accompany a cold.
Include body aches and severe tiredness or fatigue.

Common cold symptoms:

Gradually get worse over a few days.
Are more likely to include runny or stuffy nose than the flu.
Often include a sore throat, while flu rarely does.
May cause tiredness, but it is much less severe than the exhaustion that comes with the flu.
Do not usually result in serious health problems and hospitalizations.

Now, I know that I have common cold as although I don't wish anyone to have what I got (that's why no trip to the commercial playground equipment), it's not that severe. I reckon, plenty of rest and food with medication will do me good.

*****

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Sunday, 17 July 2011

Bite Size

cup cakes, that is.

We've been buying the woolworths mud cupcakes but for the big day of The Tatapilla, he requested these iced cupcakes - along with the mud cupcakes and pirate cake. It was a hit. A co-worker commented that it isn't bad. You know, woolies stuff, I reckon sometimes are too commecialised but I am happy that we didn't ordered the cake and cupcakes from these so called independent overpriced bakery - as you know, in birthday parties.. kids are already too full to gobble up nice cakes.

Now onto presents received from friends who went to the party (no best doormats this time) but lots of really nice toys.

*****

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---------------oOo--------------- Going Mexican

Change is as good as a holiday. Yes, that's what we need in our meals at home. I've been cooking these days and sometimes, I ran out of ideas of what to cook. Mcj's favourite is (along the lines of htc smart phone as well) mexican - more on enchiladas and tacos.

All the ingredients are in the pantry now but we don't have the time to have some. But for inspiration, here's a recipe from taste.com.au.

Ingredients (serves 8)

2 long green chillies, deseeded, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon chilli powder
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
600g pork fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 corn tortillas
1/2 small iceberg lettuce, thinly shredded
2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 small avocadoes, thinly sliced
toppings, to serve (see note)

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Method

Place chopped chillies, garlic, oregano, chilli powder and vinegar in a food processor. Process until almost smooth. Pour into a large, ceramic dish.

Add pork. Turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Heat oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add pork. Cook, turning, for 5 minutes or until browned. Place pork on a greased baking tray. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until just cooked through. Stand for 10 minutes. Thinly slice.

Meanwhile, wrap tortillas in foil. Place on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Place tortillas on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm. Serve tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, pork and toppings.

*****

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Saturday, 2 July 2011

What's For Dinner?

Weekend dinners are usually easy to cook food like sausages, fish or left overs. If not, just frozen pastries and meat. Tonight, it not different. We had sausages and instead of having sausage rolls, I bought burger buns so we made do. Toss in some green salad and cheese. This dinner is a little bit too much for me - Mcj would soon put up plaques for me for the person with eyes bigger than her stomach. Simple dinner shared with my family. Priceless.

*****

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