The first time my hubby ever got sick when we were together, as I headed to the store for supplies to aid him in his healing, I asked him if he had requests. He then proceeded to ask for soda (and not 7-up or ginger ale as some used to give for upset stomachs but cola!) He also requested Lipton cup o’soup and popsicles. As I laughed at him (I thought he was joking or this was some bachelor’s way of caring for himself) he looked incredulous.  I said, “I’m not buying you all that sugar and processed crap when your sick. You’ll take forever to get better.” He said, “That’s what my mom always gave me every time I was sick.” I was so shocked. I once asked her about it and she said that’s what her mom did back in the day (but back in the day those soda’s actually did have medicinal qualities because they were made from roots, herbs and other plants. Root beer and ginger ale actually had real licorice, sarsparilla, and ginger and they were made with sugar not HFCS—Coke even really had cocaine in it at one point—now there’s a cure all! The point times changed, formulations too, but some folks still think what their mom or grandma said is best and if they were reading those ads back in the day—watch out!

BTW- DOn’t know why I was shocked. This IS a woman who bought her kids “sick presents.” No wonder my husband used to say that he liked being sick. HA! He doesn’t anymore—it’s Biehler broth, herbs and supplements washed down with copious amounts of water and plenty of sleep now. (OK, and maybe the occasional packet of cup o’ soup, just to soothe that inner child.) lol

Comfort food?

I’m not surprised.  My mom always made us jello water (sugar sweetened jello at room temperature) when we were sick.  A friend told me that her mother made her fluff sandwiches when she went to the hospital.  A fluff sandwich is two slices of white bread with marshmellow cream between them.  So many of us have grown up thinking we have to have sugar to feel good.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.
    Today I went out to lunch with a friend.  I ordered fresh blueberries for dessert and the waiter seemed offended when I said no thank you to adding a scoop of ice cream.  Does everything have to be covered with sugar to be considered good tasting?  Not for me anymore!