TOP 10 TIPS FOR FIGHTING FLU SEASON

Well well well, its nice to be back! I am really sorry that I haven't been around for the past couple of weeks! I came down with a horrible fluey/virus that has really kicked my butt and put me out of sorts and I haven't had the energy to write! I am glad to be back now and promise that some really exciting posts are coming up!

So, as it is coming into cold and flu season, I thought I would do a post on what helped me through my time being ill, so here are my top 10 tips!!

1. Rest - Sleep, sleep and sleep! Don't feel guilty for staying in bed all day, it is so important for the recovery process to let your body relax. Snuggle up in bed and wait it out!

2. Drink - Another essential part of the illness is to drink plenty of fluids! I really struggled with this, because my throat was so sore and I just couldn't be bothered, but it was really important - I alternated between green tea, cucumber and lemon infused water and hot ribena.

3. Vitamins - It is so important to get your Vitamin C in, as this is what your lacking in the first place! If you can't manage an orange or some orange juice maybe try a vitamin c supplement until the sting of your throat dies down, but try and push through.

4. Antiviral Medicine - I felt so awful that I literally tried everything to feel better. Lempsips, cough medicine, sinus relief spray, 4 head patches - anything that said cold and flu relief I bought. But in retrospect the best thing for me was Lemsips, Sinus Relief spray and 4 head patches.

5. Bubble bath - This was my saving grace, not only did the steam from the bath relieve the blockage in my nose, the warm water seemed to give me a moments peace from the achey muscles I'd seemed to have aquired. I suggest some 'Radox Muscle Soak' bubble bath and some scented candles to give it that extra relaxing feel.

6. Blankets/Fan - I suffered from a temperature and a fever and so although I was instructed to stay warm, I felt on fire some of the time and so that is why the fan was needed, but nothing is more comforting than a big, snuggly blanket!

7. Soup - My mum makes the best soup in the world (I mean she is Scottish, so its in her blood), but nothing beats her homemade soup and when I am feeling ill, all I need is a big bowl - some of my favouites were 'Carrot and Coriander', 'Chicken and Rice' and 'Sweet Potato and Bacon'. I wasn't hungry at all with my flu but I managed mums soup!

8. Hygiene - This one is a given really, but keep washing and antibacing your hands as mush as you can to avoid spreading it within yourself and others. Regular showers help the fever and make you feel a bit more fresh and alive after a round of hot/cold hot/cold hot/cold.

9. Bloggers and Vloggers - When I had a bit more energy, I enjoyed reading through blogs...although my flu took away my energy to write, it was nice to see what others had been up to and plan what I'd be doing when I didn't feel like a zombie. I constantly had different vlogs on, as they are one of my favourite things to watch. I was watching 'How to Cook That', 'Those Rosie Days', 'The Michalaks' and 'Dolly Bow Bow'.

10. TV - Getting a good TV boxset or series can really help you through your time in bed - I like to pick an old favourite that I have seen many times before, so that I don't really have to concentrate too hard and can dip in and out in-between naps, I went for the classic 'Desperate Housewives' and my new favourite 'Dance Moms'. 

I hope you don't get struck down with the cold or flu this season, but if you do then I hope my top 10 tips manage to help a little bit.

What do you do when your ill?

Much love

**This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

**Image is credited to Google Images and its not my own

COME DINE WITH ME...

Apologies for the disappearing act I have done over the past week - the bank holiday weekend seemed to fly by and I had no time to sit down and write!

I thought today I would share with you a restaurant trip I made last night,to celebrate a very special person's birthday. The restaurant in question is called 'Miller and Carter' and predominantly it is known for its incredible steak (not that I would know, as I don't eat red meat, but that's the word on the street). However, that is not all they do - they have fantastic burgers, meat and fish dishes on offer and it is quite easily one of my favourite restaurants in my area. Oh, and it must be said, that the cocktails are to die for!

So, yesterday was my boyfs 23rd Birthday and so what better way to celebrate the evening with steak (for him) and cocktails! Here a couple of pics I have of the food I ate...

Now, as I mentioned above the cocktails at Miller and Carter are IN-CRED-IBLE! We started off the evening with a Long Island Iced Tea for him and a fruity Mango Moijo for me, which was made with Bacardi rum mixed with mango puree, served over ice with a dash of lime and sugar and garnished with mint leaves...delicious.

I swiftly move onto our starter. I don't often order my own starter at a restaurant, because I feel too full to enjoy the rest of my meal. However, that doesn't stop me from sharing a starter with someone else! Today we decided to go for their classic Nachos, because they are the tastiest thing in the world! Homemade tortilla chips with jalepeno peppers, cheese and a selection of dips (soured cream, tomato salsa and guacamole). 

If you aren't a massive fan of fish this may seem slightly daunting and even as a lover of fish it was still slightly daunting (thank goodness it was de-boned and there was no head), but it was absolutely delicious and has overtaken the salmon as my favourite! Here, I had sea bass that was marinated in chilli, garlic and rosemary - served on a bed of grilled vegetables and baby potatoes with a roasted tomato dressing and then garnished with a lemon wedge. It was beautifully cooked and the sea bass melted in my mouth.

Finally, you can't go to Miller and Carter and not try their famous 'Onion Loaf' - it is hard to describe, but it is like an onion ring but in a loaf form if that makes sense? We absolutely love it and when we go, we always share it as a side - it would be a complete onion overload to have it just for one! So tasty and compliments every meal I have ever had there!

Unfortunately, we were way to full to order a dessert at the restaurant, so I don't have a picture of the AMAZING desserts they have, but I will be sure to snap one when I next go! I've left the website details here if you are interested in checking it out - as it is a little on the pricier side of things I would say it is a great night out for a celebration. Oh and definitely make sure you grab a cocktail too!

Have you been to Miller and Carter?

Much love

**This post was not sponsored and all opinions are my own