What do the latest unemployment numbers and the Wall Street tumble say about the U.S. economy in 2014? Veronica Rueckert and Mike Arnold find out. They explore the impact – for better and worse – that children have on families. And on Food Friday, learn how a cup of homemade herbal tea can help get us through the winter.
Featured in this Show
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Homemade Teas Can Help Warm Winter’s Chill
As the cold winter months drag on, it’s not unusual to find oneself chilled to the bone each time one ventures outside.
One of the best ways to warm back up — and ward off potential colds — is to brew up a steaming cup of hot herbal tea. According to food blogger Anna Thomas Bates, drinking herbal tea can help fend off colds and other maladies. And although there are a myriad of teas available in the tea section of most supermarkets and health food stores, people can often get better results by custom-making their own. This could also save a bunch of money.
Bates said that this is a practice that stretches back through history.
“People have been doing this for hundreds, if not thousands of years. There’s a lot of historical and reported benefits of these herbs and a lot of them are right in your pantry,” said Bates.
For example, if a person feels congested, Bates recommends they look for the herbs found in Italian cooking — things like oregano, marjoram and thyme — all of which are supposed to be good for soothing coughs and the respiratory system.
If someone feels a cold or flu coming on, there is a number that are anti-microbial herbs that might fight infections, bacteria and viruses. Think of ginger, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, she said. People can also try a lot of those herbs used in curing and preserving foods, like cinnamon, cloves and black pepper.
Bates said she often dispels a chill by brewing a strong cup of ginger tea with lemon and honey, or recommends people try her Winter Warrior Tea, the recipe of which she shared with WPR listeners.
“It’s good to seek out a source that’s organic. That hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides,” said Bates, “since you are going to be soaking it in water and drinking it.”
Feeling a little under the weather? Elderberry has wonderful immune-boosting properties, said Bates.
“Just soak in water for 10 to 20 minutes and it really extracts the good stuff,” she said.
While a person can find many helpful ingredients in the spice aisle of their grocery store, many can be grown in the garden, like mint, rosemary and oregano.
According to Bates, people can’t really go wrong.
“Check in with how you feel, and go with what tastes good!” she said.
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A Check-In On The Economy
We get the latest economic report from a Marketplace Money economics editor, with a focus on the latest job numbers, emerging markets and what to expect from the new Fed chair, Janet Yellen.
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Food Friday: Wintertime Herbal Tea
We talk with a food writer about defrosting your winter woes with a cup of herbal tea.
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Finding The Fun In Parenting
Having children can change the shape of their parents’ lives forever. Our guest looks at the evolving family as she tries to answer the question: what are the effects of children on their parents?
Episode Credits
- Mike Arnold Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Marika Suval Producer
- Karl Christenson Producer
- Chris Farrell Guest
- Jennifer Senior Guest
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