Rebounding
Posted By Phil on September 25, 2007
Being a New Mexican, dealing with sickness is somewhat cultural. For instance, due to my less than perfect health yesterday, I knew I needed to do something to help me feel better. While talking to a friend of mine on the phone, she reminded me that I should probably stock up on vitamin C. In my dazed stupor, it seems I’d completely forgotten to do that.
Eventually, I did get hungry and wanted to eat something for dinner. Usually when you’re sick, the tendency is to lean toward eating bland, simple foods. Here’s where culture kicks in. In New Mexico, the solution is always the same: green chile. Eat anything you want (or almost anything), and as long as it involves green chile, you’re good to go. The theory is, basically, that the best way to get healthy again is not to suppress symptoms, but rather to burn them out.
After being cooped up all day at home in bed, I thought it’d be nice to go out. I was not keen on driving myself, though, given how light-headed I’d been all day, so my partner, Robert, picked me up and took me out. We headed for Subway, where I could not only get a fresh sub sandwich, but a fresh sub sandwich loaded with green chile. This is exactly the ticket to regaining health. Lots and lots of green chile. Did you know that a single green chile packs more vitamin C than an orange? It’s amazing stuff.
While eating my sandwich at Subway, it came to my attention that there was muzak coming from the ceiling speakers. Not a bad thing, necessarily. But then I realized that the clearly quite crazy Subway employees had the local soft pop station on. And because it was at night, the stunningly horrible “DJ” Delilah was on the air. Hearing that monotone voice of hers did not make me feel any better. I mean, listening to poorly written “love” songs and then hearing sappy discussion in between? That’s fodder for depression, that is.
I resemble that! But I don’t resemble Subways that allow you to stuff your sandwiches with green chiles. Chiles are an anti-oxidant, so they fight off the free radicles that make you sick, while clearing up congestion too….so there’s some method behind the curandero madness. My favorite is home made chicken soup with a bag of roasted green chiles. Mmmmmm. Did you roast any for freezing this year?
There’s nothing like some hot peppers to sweat out those germs! I don’t know if you meant the hot kind of chile but I don’t think I’ve tried them while sick. It’s a good idea though.
Works for me. We stay very healthy and I attribute it to as much fresh stuff including green chiles, garlic and onions as I can find. I also use all kinds of peppers. It’s about the time of year when I start making a lot of soups.
Good God! Delilah? You know you rocked out to her smooth listening. You should have called in and asked for a song that related to your day of sickness. “So caller, if I am hearing you right you were sick today? I have just the song for that… ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by Katrina and the Waves. Enjoy Phil and I hope you feel better.”
hmmm - i’m going to have to try that next time. I’m allergic to hot foods (they make my tongue catch fire) so it will be a chore. Do you know about the Vitamin C and free radical prowess of the Jamaican Scotch Bonnet?