In yesterday’s comments, Sarena, Carrie and Ashley told me how amazing apple cider vinegar is for colds + sickness. They told me to take a shot of it, gargle, mix it with lemon. So this morning – when my cold symptoms were at their peak – I mixed a tablespoon in a big glass of water with some lemon. I told myself it was kombucha and that it was delicious.
I took a sip. And then I gagged. I took another sip. More gagging. Thankfully I was standing over the sink because I really thought it might come right back up.
Every fruit fly in my house hovered around me, cheering. I think they are the reason I just couldn’t do it. The smell of those two weeks of vinegar fruit fly traps.
And then I dumped it down the drain. I hope those 3 sips I swallowed work!
And then I moved on to more delicious things…
There was hardly any Biscoff left in this jar, but the little bits I did get were wonderful. Did you see that Trader Joe’s is now making a version? I like that their jar says “cookie spread” – because that’s what it is! It’s not a health food at all, it’s just delicious.
Into the overnight oats jar:
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 banana
- Pinch salt
- 1/3 cup blackberries
- Biscoff residue
Gingerbread tea, followed by a cup of green tea because it’s “healthy” but it tastes like bitter dirt 🙁
Happy Hump Day!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Eew, I don’t think I could chug vinegar either. I do eat plain balsamic on sandwiches and salads, but apple cider is a bit more harsh. Hope you’re feeling better!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I drink a glass of water every morning with about 1T of apple cider vinegar. It’s really… ahem… cleansing. You do get used to it after a while. Then you can reward yourself/get the taste outta your mouth with Biscoff OIAJ. 😉
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
Apple cider vinger is hard to get down! I only use it on my skin. It’s a great toner when you mix it with water. Hope you feel better!
Karla says
To make that nasty colds and flu bug go away, try making an ACV (apple cider vinegar) and honey tea. Mix one tablespoon of ACV and 1 tablespoon of honey in a cup of hot water, let it cool for a bit and then sip slowly. If the taste of ACV is much too harsh for you, then make a lemon and honey tea instead. 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice + 1 tablespoon of honey mixed in a cup of hot water.
Karla says
P.S. –> I hope you start feeling better soon!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
Ahh! TJ’s makes a version!? I’m SO there! Thanks for the tip!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Biscoff OIAJ??? Now that’s the way to start the day!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Ugh! Props for trying the vinegar! I don’t think I would do it…. 🙂
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
#HelloDecember!!
I say just drink Chamomile (sp?) tea with some lemon and honey. ALWAYS does the trick for me!
Kayla says
I just wanted to let you know that my “chia charger” nut butter pack that I ordered off your OpenSky promotion just arrived yesterday and I’ve already tried one! They are amazing! I’m so happy with the flavors and the size of the jars too!
One question though: do you store your chia charger in the fridge or in the regular pantry? I’m afraid if I store it in the fridge it will get hard.. but I also didn’t see any suggestions on the jars as to where to store it??
KathEats says
So glad!
I keep mine in the pantry
Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel says
I have yet to try Biscoff, but a Trader Joe’s recently opened in my hometown, so next time I’m back there I’ll get their version!
Amanda says
I don’t think I could handle drinking vinegar either. I’m horrible at taking shots, so I would probably be gagging too.
I’m excited to see if the TJ’s near me carries that cookie spread!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I’ve never heard about drinking apple cider vinegar. I don’t think I could manage to drink it either. I would think of fruit flys. Ew! Biscoff spread sounds delicious 🙂
Susan says
I chug ACV straight out of the bottle every morning and chase it down with some water! It’s sort of like I’m doing shots at the club in my own kitchen (wearing yoga capris and slippers while the dog whines to go potty and the two small children scream for breakfast). I can dream.
ACV is also great for keeping yeast at bay (my motivation).
KathEats says
Ha!
Ashleigh says
I agree with the above suggestion for the honey. I SWEAR by apple cider vinegar! I steep Throat Coat tea (Traditional Medicinals), add honey and stir in 2 teaspoons of acv. I also use a netti pot. AMAZING what it does. However, I’m not sure how it works once you have the full on cold. It works best at first signs of a cold.
Susan says
You probably already know this, but make sure the ACV is the cloudy kind with the “mother” still in it. The clear kind you find at the grocery is filtered and all of the goodness has been taken out of it. It’s basically useless beyond salad dressing at that point.
KathEats says
I think mine is unfiltered?
Susan says
Sounds good. Just make sure it’s cloudy, not clear like apple juice. Bragg’s is my favorite.
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Oats in a BISCOFF jar – ah sounds so good! I just stocked up at TJ’s last week when I was in Arizona (we don’t have them in UT), and I wish I would’ve known about their cookie spread! I would’ve had my hands all over that.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Ugh I hear ya on the apple cider vinegar! I’ve tried to take it because it supposedly helps with digestion and bloating, but sometimes I just can’t get it down my throat. I’ve resorted to taking it like you would cough medicine – plugging my nose, swallowing it, and chasing it with something tasty (like Biscoff!!)
Andrea @ Onion in My Hair says
Fresh blackberries in November?!
Jealous!!!!!!
[email protected] says
That looks like a great chaser!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i agree with the apple cider vinegar advice… there are some drinks you can buy at whole foods (i think bragg is the brand) and they have worked wonders for me on sick days.
i just found a huge tub of chia seeds in the back of my cupboard… time to get creative! they are delicious in oats 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Mmmm cookie spread…I may have to try it. You know, for taste test purposes… 😉
Sarah says
Traditional Medicinals Gypsy Cold Care Tea. You can get it at Whole Foods. I swear it will make you feel better and it tastes good.
Ellyn says
First time commenter…tea fanatic! Green tea can be great… sweet even…but needs to be steeped the right amount of time. Have you tried flavored green? Also, the water needs to be less then boiling. I hope you are able to find the right green tea for you and LOVE that you are into it for the health benefits. Thank you for all your healthy inspiration!
KathEats says
I’m guessing I always oversteep it..
Anna says
Try the Yogi brand “Green Tea Kombucha”- That’s what turned me on to green tea! (it doesn’t taste like bottled kombucha, but it’s yummy)
Katie says
Love Tazo Green Zen tea. It’s what is seved in Starbucks. Iced, even in the winter is how I like it. It has a touch of spearmint
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
those blackberries look amazing in your pics! hate to say it, but the apple vinegar thing does work really well…but I get your fruit fly trap induced aversion! When I do it, I just mix a tablespoon in a little glass of water with ice (it has to be ice cold) and sip on it all day long…no big drinks, just little sips. I think it’s the constant infusion of the vinegar in your body that does the trick.
Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe says
I usually do 2T apple cider vinegar, 2T raw honey, 8oz hot water. It takes a little getting used to, but the honey helps with the taste. It sort of tastes like tea with the honey! And it does work!
Felicia (Natural + Balanced) says
cheering fruit flies hahah awww kath- just go to WF and pick up some kombucha, good excuse to get a bunch 🙂 i’ve been hearing all about the new goodies at TJs and really will need to contain myself when i go tonight. or not. hehe
Lara says
hope you are feeling better soon. yes on acv (just down a T at bedtime). also a raw clove of garlic in honey on a spoon.
love your blog. it has definitely changed how i eat breakfast – a lot more fruit, yogurt, nut butters.
also, we must live very close… i live down the quaint wine street (the one with the vegetable garden under frost covers now). also wanted to let you know re hiking (since you seem to enjoy it so much), very nearby at mcintire park (down the hill from the picnic shelters) there are excellent woods and trails (behind the high school) that my kids and I frequent a lot. Just as an alternative to the Monticello trail.
KathEats says
I love Wine Street!!
I haven’t ever explored McIntire Park – perhaps soon before it’s too cold?
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
Looks like I need to go to trader joe’s and get some of the cookie spread! I hope you start feeling better, colds are never fun!
Susan H. @ the food allergy chronicles says
I love learning something new…apple cider vinegar tea for colds. On the first sign of a sore throat I usually gargle a mixture of sea salt and water and drink lots of green tea. Hope your feeling better soon!
Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! says
After a while you get used to the ACV ‘cocktail’, but when I first started drinking it (mainly to help a little with digestion) I added a teaspoon of raw honey or maple syrup to cut the vinegar-y taste. Definitely makes it more enjoyable!
skinnyrunner says
i think of you when i get biscoff cookies on an airplane. i think its always delta?
is that weird? probably.
KathEats says
Not weird at all 🙂
Sarah says
for me it’s akin to how i took cough syrup when i was little, just pour a little shot of it, have a big glass of water waiting near by, take the shot, furiously swallow and chase with water, water, water. it’s worth it!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
Ha! Someone should make a comic strip of the fruit fly cheering squad.
Jessica says
I hear ya on the green tea. I have tried steeping it at all temps, different lengths of time, etc. Yuck.
Amie says
Gargle, not swallow according to your instructions. Maybe that was the problem.
KathEats says
One told me to take a shot, one told me to make a cocktail.
Susan says
You can really do whatever you want as long as you are getting it down. Bottom’s up!
Elisabeth says
I LOVE apple cider vinegar (it’s the type I use for pretty much everything calling for vinegar), but I don’t think I could drink it…
Diana says
mmmm Oats in a jar look good!
Did you drink Bragg’s apple cider vinegar with the mother? Thats the best one, i don’t find it to taste too bad.
Feel better soon! 🙂
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I hope you feel better soon!
Cait's Plate says
Oh I didn’t know biscoff was the same thing as speculoos!! I’ve had speculoos all this time and didn’t even realize I had my very own biscoff spread all the while!!
Looks delicious 🙂
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Bragg’s makes an apple cider vinegar drink that isn’t too bad– it kind of tastes like a cross between kombucha and sparkling apple juice. You might give that a try? I know they have it at Whole Foods and the like!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
I don’t think I could stomach apple cider vinegar either. Comfort food (like oats) probably works just as well… at least that’s what I’m going to tell myself. 😉
Heather E says
TJ’s has a peppermint green tea out right now that is really yummy!
Lee says
I’ve read that you’re not supposed to shoot ACV because it’s harsh on the esophagus. I bought some recently and have been adding 1 tsp to some hot water with some lemon and stevia. If you pretend really hard, it sort of tastes like hot tea.
Becca says
A green tea hater?! The horror! I have it every morning; love it.
Cathy says
I also love green teas. Just purchased a Keurig for them as well. 🙂
Johanna B says
The photographs of those blackberries make me hungry for fresh ones again. None to be found around Kansas so I use frozen. 2nd best is better than none in my book.
marie says
I usually gargle a couple times per day with hot water and salt actually when I have a cold. It really helps with the sore throat.
Jessica says
You have to dilute it or just gargle it. Grapefruit juice is also good.
KathEats says
Grapefruit juice I can do!
Zesty Cook says
I think I need to try this Biscoff spread, Kath! You speak so highly of it but I’ve never given it a try…I think it’s finally time!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Definitely goodness in a jar. I had to rush out this morning without breakfast. That looks so good! Could use a OIAJ right about now. 😉
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Gah! I hope you feel better soon. It’s not easy chugging cider vinegar — bet the breakfast made up for it 😉
Kathy W. says
I saw “Cookie Spread” in the nut butter aisle at TJ’s over the weekend and thought of you. Funny that there’s a generic of Biscoff!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
I’ve made that before to help my stomach acids and holy shit, it tastes SO much better with stevia!
[email protected] says
Thanks for the heads up on the ‘cookie spread’. It’s hard to find where I live so I am so happy to know I can get it at Trader Joe’s, very cool.
bitt says
Oh I think the shot theory is was works here, just a small amount of the ACV then a big glass of water after. I personally like a shot of ginger juice and lemon for colds. it’s way less disgusting than ACV. feel better!
Health Bee says
Thanks for the tip about Trader Joe’s version of Biscoff. I’ll definitely check it out.
Hope you feel better soon.
sarah g says
Kath,
Put some honey in it!! My dad swore by ACV when I was a kid and I thought it was disgusting.. BUT, with honey it actually isn’t that bad. Tall glass + honey+ tiny bit of ACV = less gagging.
Tracy says
Have you tried Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane green tea (TJs also has a version)? So good and does not taste green. I think you’d like it esp. since you like Adagio Candy Cane black.
KathEats says
I love that one!
Khushboo says
I’m a green tea guzzler- love the stuff!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Must go find TJ’s version like NOW!
Paige says
Oh god, I don’t think I could do it! It reminds me of when my mom told me how her mom used to make them drink hot whiskey when they had colds! Bleh – I don’t think I could do that either!…unless it was cold, and you know, with some coke! lol
Kim says
I love green tea! I find the key to be being really careful not to steep it for too long.
Ashley @ Cooking for John says
Oh no! Sorry that it made you gag! Thanks so much for linking to my blog- mucho appreciated! Feel better!
[email protected] says
Man, I love TJs and how they always come up with “knockoffs” but they’re JUST as good and cheaper than the regular products. Smart, I say~And I hope you feel really good really soon, Kath~hang in there 🙂
Julianna says
Hi Kath,
My family has been drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for years(we call them vinegar shoots), and this is how we do it: Mix hot water, honey, and a few tablespoons of vinegar together.. The smell is not so great, but I actually love the taste. You can add lots of water and drink like a tea (this is what I do) or you can add a smaller amount of water and take it like a shot (what my family does).
Up to three vinegar shots a day for three days and you will be feeling amazing, I promise! This has never failed me! (also, honey is a preservative, so the vinegar will kill and the honey will soothe..perfecto!
Feel better soon.
XO JMoksha
Laura @ She Eats Well says
You’ve got guts to try to drink that Apple Cider Vinegar. Good thing you had a delicious breakfast to counter the bad taste. I am very curious about this Biscoff spread…I might just have to go to TJs and pick up their version…
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
You ought to try steeping the green tea and another tea, maybe the gingerbread, in the cup together. I do it with mint tea all the time. It definately tastes better that way.
Kelly says
Hmmm…did anyone say why this was supposed to work, because I have to say, it sounds like an urban legend to me. If anything I would imagine it would be like gargling with warm salt water and would lessen some of the symptoms (i.e. sore throat) but not shorten the cold.
Either way, when I’m told to gargle something I would assume that I just need to gargle, not drink which makes it a little less disgusting.
Personally, I’ve found zinc to be really helpful in reducing the duration of my colds. Medical research seems to be a little all over the place on its effectiveness, but for me it does the trick.
Pam says
I love apple cider vinegar drinks! It is very good mixed with apple juice or even just some agave.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained…right?! At least you followed it with something amazing! I hope you feel better soon!
Dame Noire says
Just in case you want to give green tea another try: it has to be steeped in water that’s between 65-75 degrees Celsius for 2-3 minutes otherwise it turns bitter. And I love vinegar, but I love everything sour 😉
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
I was planning on heading to TJ’s to go get some today, but according to the hubs, the car needs inspected or something. What sort of lameness is that??
KathEats says
Totally lame
wendy sue says
ooh did you find the biscoff spread locally? I’m dying to try and haven’t seen it anywhere nearby.
KathEats says
I didn’t…but I hear it’s at walgreens
Whitney says
When I have a cold the best thing to do (for me) is to make a tea with fresh ginger chopped and smashed a bit in the bottom of a mug, juice from half a lemon and a Tbs. or two of honey. Let it sit for a minute or two then feel the healthy goodness running through your body 🙂
CheezyK says
I gave up on diluting ACV a long time ago, it’s just too hard to get through a whole cup of that grossness! Now I just try to remember to have at least a teaspoon a day straight (preferably it should be once in the morning, once at night), about 20 mins before a meal if possible.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Ugh that sounds gross! When I went to camp as a kid, I remember the nurses would always make me gurgle salt water when I got sick. It was terrible!
Sandy says
Eat Live Run had an Asian Chicken Noodle Soup post this week that Jen said was good for a cold. You might try that because it looked much better than Apple Cider Vinegar sounds.
KathEats says
I saw that! I wonder if I should be shooting sriracha…
Angel7 says
Apple Cider Vinegar is hard to palate. It is sooo strong!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Emily says
Oh my gosh, I bought a jar of Biscoff a week or so ago and demolished it. Insanely good!! I’ll definitely have to try TJ’s brand!! Those oats look amazing!
Jenn says
do you have fruit fies at your house too? this is the first year here, but I think they out number the stink bugs. yeh, i wouldn’t have tried the apple cider vinegar. gargling or drinking anything that is warm/hot or has antiseptic properties can help viruses from proliferating in the throat. feel better.
Lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com) says
I found some ‘biscrisps’ at Big Lots a few weeks ago–> It says ‘cinnamon cookie spread’ on the bottle and it is HEAVEN! Definitely not a ‘health food’, but it sure is a nice treat… by the spoonful 🙂