Just a Tea Recipe
I really hate telling you all when I’m sick.
Inevitably, I’ll run into a sweet friend who will say, “Oh, I just read your blog, how are you?!” in response to my minor case of the sniffles and then when prompted, she’ll disclose that her husband has had walking pneumonia for a week and her three year-old has been to the ER with chronic asthma attacks.
Inevitably, I feel like a moron. But man, if that three year-old wants sympathy, he totally should start a blog. Obviously anyone can.
Inevitably, someone will suggest that because I don’t eat meat or dairy, I must have a weakened immune system and thus be more susceptible to illness.
Love you, Mom.
And then, also inevitably, I’ll have to explain that we are in fact healthier than most families that nose-pick for sport. (I really am trying to get Pea Daddy to stop.)
So let’s not say that I’m sick. Let’s just say I’m sharing a few pictures and a tea recipe. A tea recipe, that I accidentally found while accidentally Googling
“home remedy extreme sinus congestion please kill me it’s 2 am and I want to die.”
At first I thought Pea Daddy was pulling a fast one on me and was suggesting overpriced swimwear would cure all.
But then, since I was just accidentally on that page, I saw the Tomato Tea remedy and the 122 “yeas.”
I just happened to read on and discover that a large number of people truly believe that if, say, one had clogged nasal passages, a potential sinus infection and a wish for death at 2 a.m., tomato tea would alleviate those symptoms.
I could go for a cup of tea, for no reason other than that it is a snowy day and people want to make me go outside.
I like tea.
Yea!
Tomato Tea
Adapted from Earth Clinic Home Remedies
Makes 3 cups
- One 28 oz. can diced organic tomatoes in juice
- 3 t. minced garlic
- 3 T. lemon juice
- 1-2 t. hot sauce (as hot as you can take it)
- other seasonings to taste (i.e. salt, spice blend, etc.)
Combine tomatoes and juice, garlic, lemon juice and hot sauce in a blender and puree until smooth.
I wanted mine thicker, like a soup, but you could add water or vegetable broth if you’d prefer a true “tea.” Pour tea into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until hot.
At this point, you can add whatever seasoning you like. Italian seasoning would be great, but I really love Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute.
Obviously.
Stir and serve.
Surprisingly delicious. Like a hot Bloody Mary in a bowl. Who wouldn’t like that?
I’m not sure if it would cure, say sinusitis, walking pneumonia or chronic asthma, but it made me feel better to eat it.
Not that I’m sick or anything.
Unless, of course, you want me to go outside with you.
Then I might just need another cup of tea.
Yea!
lol my mom is a nurse and is always trying to convince me that my immune system is suffering from being a vegetarian. This coming from the lady who pops a pill for EVERYTHING and can barely get out of a chair without moaning
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This “tea” looks tasty and I can totally see how it would help… my husband and I secretly think Sriracha could cure anything though
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I drank the whole batch today. I will report back in the morning
You tea recipe looks like it would unclog the most stubborn of lung clogs, and possibly put some hair on my chest in the process
Nothing like some spicy action to blast open the airways. I love your tea 
And I hope you DO get well soon! You guys have had a rough winter. Hang in there mama!
And yes, I know what you mean about putting things on the blog…then you will see someone IRL and they will know all about this or that and you’re like HOW did you know that? Oh yeah, the blog
Thanks Averie. I’m making an extra spicy batch tomorrow.
It SOUNDS like something I would never drink, but it LOOKS like something I’d love to eat! If I call it tomato soup, I just might go for it
I kind of had a hankering for a grilled cheese (Daiya, of course).
Seriously – tomato “tea?” What made that “tea” and not “soup?”
LOL
Hope you feel better soon!!
No idea. Maybe because I drank it with breakfast?
Whoa..that really sounds delicious! It looks like soup! I was picturing watery tomatoes, lol. I think a little vodka spike would have given your sinuses a nice 1-2 punch!
Seriously. Damn “no kids in liquor stores” laws.
Aww…that tomato soup/tea looks inviting!
Lulu looks happy again, I’m so glad!
Here’s an old Ayurveda-based family hand-me-down tried&tested recipe for the sniffles:
5-6 cloves garlic minced
about 3 or 4 inches of fresh ginger, minced
8-10 black peppers crushed
tspn of turmeric
pinch of salt (optional)
2 cups of water
Boil all the ingredients together and simmer on low heat for anywhere from 15-30 minutes,
until the water boils down to about a cup.
Use this as a ‘decoction’ throughout the day: filter about 1/8 cup of the ‘decoction’ into a mug, add hot milk (or not), add sweetener and enjoy a hot spicy ‘chai’ to beat the heck out of any viruses!
(I admit it is an acquired taste but with enough milk and sweetener you can’t tell that
you’re drinking something that’s going to make war against the viruses in your body!)
Relieves the throat and clears out the (ahem) nasal passages faster than you can say Nobody!
You can make it ‘stronger’ or more potent by increasing the ginger and garlic.
Both are known to be very effective anti-bacterial agents.
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, so you could increase that too if you can bear it.
Hope you get well soon.
Thank you, Sasha. I may just try it.
I’ll have to try it.. I am dealing with the same sinus, snot head congestion of death sickness.. its the WORST!! Ill whip up some of this tomorrow!!
I hope it works for us both!
It looks like tomato soup!
I want some right now! Can I dip some bread in that tea? 
Yes! I’m making a crack wrap with mine tomorrow
Nothing like good old home remedies
I had a little sinus cleanser the other day. Somehow Chris made your curry tomato stew waaay too spicy (but it was my fault, because the spices are mislabeled). So triple the chili powder in that stew for a good sinus clean out too.
Ha ha! Good to know!
i felt my nasal passages clear out reading the ingredients. I shall try this remedy next time I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
Strangest tea I’ve ever heard of! Can I eat it with a spoon? It sounds delicious though… I’d love it with some nice yummy crackers.
i have to say its one of the strangest teas i have heard of as well…. I don’t know if id be able to keep it down i have an absolute hate for tomato “soup” of any sort (stems from bad childhood memories, thanks mom)
That nasty cold is going around, my body is fighting it hard and i have a feeling I’m going to wake up in the morning and be sicker than a dog! which for me sucks cause this weekend is my birthday and i have big plans
ugh go figure. I have been religiously taking oil of oregano so much so i’m dreaming about pizza O.o ohhh oregano how i love thee 
I hope you get to feeling better soon….. sending good vibes your way
Get well soon!!! xoxoxo
Awww:(:( feel better soon…i mean if you were sick then id want you to get better;);)
I love tomatoes! i swear they are a miracle food! I want to build a mini green house so i can have fresh tomatoes year round cause the ones at the food store make me so sad i dont even buy them till around may:(
This is so unique!! I love tomato soup when I am sick. With lots of crushed saltine crackers.
that “tea” looks good to me. when i’m stuffed up, i eat the hottest salsa i can stand. spicy food is nature’s sadafed!
hope you feel better soon!
That tomato tea looks intense!
Have you tried a neti pot? My last cold/sinus thing, I used it and it really helped! I found it generally cuts my cold time in half! I have the kids using it and even the “hater of all things alternative medicine” (aka my husband) is a believer!
Feel better soon!
I just tried it last night…I think I’m beyond the point of it helping…
Hmm.. bloody mary flavored tea. I’m sold! Feel better!
You need to throw some vodka in there. You know– to clear up the sinus issues.
Garlic, cayenne and ginger always clear me up whenever I am sick. Why do I have a sudden craving for vegan grilled cheese…?
Feel better, mama!
Wow… who would have thunk it. That’s some crazy tea!
I hope you get feeling better!! My husband always makes me the following tea when I’m sick and swears it will help:
Add two cinnamon sticks to a pot of water (maybe 2 cups of water?) and bring to boil.
once its really “cinnamon-y” pour into mug and freshly squeeze a good amount of lime juice and add honey to your preference.
It actually doesn’t taste all that bad and does help!!
Let me know if you try it
Love the desperate google remedy search; I’m guilty of that all the time
Hope the tomato tea works for ya!!
i’ve never heard of tomato tea! thats interesting.
and i’ve found that since becoming a vegetarian i get sick waaay less often. i mean i’m still a college junior and due to all nighters and living with 5 other girls its impossible to never get sick, but i’ve found it helped!
i’ve never heard of tomato tea! thats interesting.
and i’ve found that since becoming a vegetarian i get sick waaay less often. i mean i’m still a college junior and due to all nighters and living with 5 other girls its impossible to never get sick, but i’ve found it helped!
That tea looks an awful lot like tomato soup!! I wouldn’t mind a bowl of that on a snowy day – sick or not.
Feel better Mama Pea!
Oh my goodness. I had an ex boyfriend who instead of helping when I was sick would tell me “Eat some steak.” Once he even brought over Chicken Noodle Soup. I’ve been vegetarian since I was 14. Clearly this is why he is my ex.
I hope you feel better!
I love homemade tomato soup and that is often what I want when I’m feeling sick. Rather that than chicken soup any day.
Ooooo, tomato soup that doesn’t come from a can!! Looks great!
I made a jalapeno cream sauce the other night and poured it over chicken and rice…it was a real sinus clear-er recipe (as noted by The Husband!)
It was super easy and could easily be transformed into a vegan meal I think! Maybe when you’re feeling better??!
PS- I feel your pain about playing outside…I have a 1 year old chocolate lab that wants to play frisbee…when its -30*C! Love ya Bella, but NO thanks!
Feel better Mama Pea!! I would never have thought to make tomato tea :> Ah, google.
Haha, my parents do that too. I will say “I was having a bad day” and all the sudden I will get 3-4 calls from people all making sure that I didn’t off myself or anything
I hope you feel better!
That 21 Seasoning Salute looks yummy! I will have to pick that up tomorrow when I make my produce run!
That looks seriously good. Now all you need is a shot in there! Sick or not, I want it
I hate to say this, my cold and congestion would not go away. Affrin stopped working, Sudafed wouldn’t touch it. I finally was put on antibiotics darn sinus infection from H-E-L-L. 3 days later, voila I absolutely feel a tons better.
No one ever tells me that because I am vegetarian, vegan or gluten free that I have a weakened immune system. Truth be told, I have Celiac Disease and therefore I DO literally, have a weakened immune system and yet, I am generally cold free minus 1 bad cold a year which I attribute to having a 2 year old in full time daycare.
People are silly in their assumptions. Recipe looks great though. Glad to see Lulu smiling too. Feel better.
I’m pretty sure that’s what I have now. I’m on my way for those antibiotics…
I might make this even if I’m not sick. I love tomatoes, I love spice, and I love warmth. Perfection.
Have you ever tried just eating a spoonful of dijon mustard when you’re all congested? It tastes like hell going down but everything will clear up immediately.
I haven’t! I love mustard, though.
Just made a carrot- orange- ginger- cayenne [wow, that's a long title] juice a couple days ago to ward off a incoming cold virus. Results? It totally worked! I’ll definitely try yours in the future when I’m getting sick again!
That sounds really good. And yep, if I so much as sneeze in front of my dad, it’s got to be because of my “diet”. Never mind that I haven’t really been sick in years (knock on wood!).
And I agree with Ashley above: a shot of vodka in there probably wouldn’t be such a bad thing
Feel better!!
Parents. They mean well, don’t they?
I’m saving that recipe for myself! I’ve never had a bloody mary (not a drinkin’ girl), but it sounds great!
I spit my water (w/ lemon!) out of my nose when I read your shout out to your mom! She sounds like mine – always questioning EVERYthing! Gotta love ‘em! We’ll probably do the same thing with our girls one day … I’m the mom with the 2 girls who like to read your “polite” blog – haha!
I hope you get to feeling better. I HATE taking medicine, but I had a sinus infection two weeks ago and finally broke down, called my fantabulous doctor who called me in a z-pak and didn’t make me come in and be subjected to all the other germs in a waiting room! Praise the good Lord – knocked it out!
I’m the same way! I hate taking anitbiotics and usually end up with another type of infection down below…
But I’m desperate at this point.
I love your girls “polite” blog comment. That still makes me smile!
Oh man, this would be even BETTER with vodka!
And actually made me crave a bloody mary. And it’s not even noon. And I’m stuck at the office. Shoot. I bet the sinus clearing properties of this would actually work if you used horseradish, too! That stuff clears my nose like crazy.
A couple of the comments on the home remedies site said to add horseradish. I’m just not a huge fan. Reminds me of Arby’s.
Hoping you feel better soon!
What a great idea… never knew that tom tea would help with congestion. Always looking for new homemade remedies. B has a co-worker that always seems to be getting sick and still works… trying to infect everyone around him I guess… And since B works out of our (home) office, I get to be exposed too. Last week he came over after not even 24 hours of meds with a double ear infection and bronc… LOVELY. Seems like I made it out unscathed.
The tomato tea is a great start…this evening you need to add a fuzzy blanket, a chic flick and a glass of wine. Oh, and you may want to throw in a babysitter!
The sad thing is, I’m so sick, that doesn’t even sound good
Except the babysitter.
Have you ever heard of a neti pot? They’re these ancient Aladdin’s lamp looking things that you use to flush out your sinuses with a warm saline solution. They’re awkward to get used to, but they’re also kind of amazing. If you have allergies or a sinus issue, it will seriously change your life. Or, if you’re in need of a good laugh, you could watch some youtube tutorials on how to use them.
Seriously though, you should give it a shot. It really works! WebMD says so too!
I just noticed that someone else had suggested it as well. When it gets really bad, I use really warm water, almost hot, but not to the point where it burns. Sometimes it takes a solid ten minutes for the water to break through whatever’s up there… just keep trying, it will eventually clear you up! The warm water feels good too when you’re that congested too…
I used it last night. I feel worse today, which makes me think I’m kind of beyond the irrigation and need something else. I’m going to try it again, though. Thanks for your advice!
I am addicted to Earthclinic! I would never think that your veganism would be the reason for your weakened immune system – possibly it is that your keyboard is dirty due to all of your blogging or you are unaware of your allergies to peakitty (joking on both).
I love your recipes, but I will be passing on this. Get well soon!
When in doubt, blame Pea Kitty.
Hehe yeappp!! spicy food will do that to ya!
That’s why Korean food always helps me with colds haha. I understand about telling others about being sick~but we want to know about your life so share if you feel led to. Aww may God touch you with His healing hand Mama P.! Also, have you tossed from side to side when sleeping? Like, if your right sinus is bugging, then turn to your left?
Oh yes…every night the last week. Mama needs sleep.
Hmmm…I was envisioning boiling tomatoes and drinking the steeped juice. Clearly I was wrong, haha.
That may be what you were supposed to do. But this was way more appetizing to me.
That looks like the most delicious magical tomato soup… er, tea… ever.
Brilliant who would have thought of tomato tea to help with being sick! I love the idea and love your steps of making it! So vibrant red than you just know it is going to make you all better inside, well that is what I think whenever I have something that is just so vibrant in color, haha
And I hope you feel better soon.
Hope you’re feeling better! Might I suggest a true Bloody Mary and some afternoon soap tv for a little extra curing powers?
ummmm TOTALLY impressed with your photo! the “tea” perfectly swirled in the cup and the lemon twist on the side… you’re killin it!!! =)
i would offer to come take care of you, but i just got better, i’m not exposing myself to any germs!!! cody is sick and i tried to make him go live outside in the dog kennel! KIDDING!!!!!!
spicy bloody mary sounds good to me and im not even sick, get some rest and make your hubby give you a massage!
I wasn’t sure about this until you said “like a Bloody Mary in a bowl”. Sold.
Pass the vodka.
That looks marvellous! I hope you feel better soon. And wow, Gigi’s hair is so long!
My sinuses are in perfect operating condition but I made this ” tea” anyway. After devouring the entire batch in one sitting, I am returning to the store for more tea-making supplies ( including tissue for the inevitable runny nose that accompanies the tea!) Delicious!
Ha ha! Love it!
OH. MY. GOD. If ONE more person tells me that I’m sick because of my weakened immune system Ima force some tempeh down someone’s throat. For reals. I get sick maybe once a year. My carnivorous family? Multiple colds, flus, etc. But the ONE TIME I get the sniffles it’s suddenly, “It’s because you don’t eat meat dear” with a little “I told you so” on the side. UGH.
Glad it’s not just me tho
I feel you, Dawg.
That looks very tasty. I stay relatively healthy by using a sinus rinse 2 times a day during cold and flu season. You can get them at the pharmacy for cheap and they come with lots of sodium solution packs. The Neti Pot works but I think the squeeze bottle is much more affective.
I’ve used it twice now. The first time I felt like I was going to drown. The second time, tonight, I am in love. I am a believer!!!!
I had spinal surgery 2 years ago and they warned that just about anything could cause the bone not to fuse. Anything with an anti-infammatory in it was a no-no and that was every cold medicine on the market. I wasn’t even allowed to get a flu shot. Two months later H1N1 was running rampant. Thanks to Clorox wipes and my Sinus Rinse bottle I managed to avoid even the common cold that year. And…the spine healed 100 %. The surgery was not only more successful than they thought it would be, but I regained almost 100% function and sensation. I truly believe I owe that to adopting a healthier eating habit.
What an awesome testimony. I’m so happy your spinal surgery worked…and I’m going to keep rinsing!!!
I agree with Sarah U. – the squeeze bottle is the best! I know you wrote about being sketched out by nasal irrigation, but I swear to you it works! I used to get sinus infections at least twice a year, and now (*vigorously knocking on wood*) I just keep the systems clear. As crazy as it sounds, the warm water and saline actually feels REALLY good.
You’ve convinced me. I’m totally sold after two uses.
feel better!
Feel better! Someone may have already mentioned this to you (or you may have one), but I love my neti pot when I’m congested. It clears out the nasal passages with a saline solution.
And that tea looks so tasty. I’ve never seen a tomato-based tea. Would it be weird to make it if I’m completely healthy??
Not weird at all.
And I’m all over the neti pot!
Tomato Tea?! Giiiirl this crazy cool, I can’t wait to try it!
Hi Mama Pea!
I am quite addicted to sriracha sauce but have always been a bit concerned by the chemicals in the
ingredients…
so I just googled around and found a post with a homemade sriracha sauce recipe!
I know how you prefer to eat natural and whole foods,so thought you may be interested in trying this.
Would love a post on this!!!
Here is link below (funny blog name, huh?! Not mine though-I don’t have a blog!)
http://nudiefoodie.posterous.com/sriracha-is-saucy
Thanks so much! I will have to try it or pick up a less sketchy sriracha at Whole Foods
Yea for Tomato Tea! It sounds oddly delicious.
I’m so sorry you’re (not) sick. I swear my office has been infected with something super gross all winter, my coworkers and I keep getting sick on a revolving basis. You know it’s bad when the office supply drawer contains Sudafed and Theraflu.
If you need something to make you feel better (not that you would need that – since you’re NOT sick), I have some cute puppy pictures on my blog, I just posted!
http://www.livingandlovinginla.blogspot.com
Big hugs and bowl of tomato tea,
Erin
Hope you are feeling better soon, Sarah! Being sick sucks!
Mama Pea, you are too creative for your own good. Keep the recipes coming and feel better!
that is the best seasoning ever! i buy at least 5 jars when i visit california.
story: marsh & i were at costco the other day and he picked up a case of tomato soup. the pacific organic whatever. marshall is on this “i want to eat healthy and better” kick, and while it is weird, it is amazing, so i am not going to question it. he looked at the back and saw 750 mg sodium per cup, and then put it down and asked if i could make him tomato soup from scratch. i told him yes, but hadn’t looked any further for a recipe.
fast forward to right this very minute, even though this is sick food.. i think i will have to make it for him. anything with cock sauce gets my vote! so thanks.
and dangit, feel better.
i am off to make your homemade cereal. wish me luck!
Insane, no? I was reading today how we might as well just drink salt water with the amount of sodium added to our food. Gross!
I just keep thinking, “hmm this would make a great bloody mary”. Although I suppose that would defeat the purpose o it being a remedy.
hope you are feeling better!!! i just wanted to let you know, I made your quinoa, zucchini lasagna this past week and wow! holy yum!!! i made it for my parents-25 and livin at home is the new cool, didnt you know??
and they were blown away! the one tweak was that i did use real parmesan cheese-my dad will only go so far-plus he’s a lawyer and you know they will just try to convince you they are right until they are blue in the face (he he)
I’m glad you guys all liked it! Those lawyers…what jerks
Hi! I have a baking question and thought you’d be the perfect person to ask!! I am baking cupcakes to take to work tomorrow (and some other baked goods) but how do I keep them fresh and moist overnight?? I’ve got one of those aluminum trays with a plastic lid, would that work? I’ve got no plastic wrap!! One time I put some in the fridge overnight and they were like rocks in the morning…
I would put them in that covered pan you talked about, but before putting the lid on, wrap them snugly in plastic wrap. If you are frosting them first, stick some toothpicks in the center of a few and kind of “tent” the plastic wrap over them. Then, when you go to work in the morning, leave them out of the work fridge so they’ll be fully “thawed” when it’s time to eat. Good luck!!!
Ah thanks!!!! So you would put them in the fridge overnight in the covered pan? They’ve not got dairy or anything in them (:)) so I don’t know if they would still spoil or something if I left them out? I’m paranoid about them becoming super hard!
My vegan cupcakes never dry out or get hard (are you using one of my recipes?)
I would cover them in your container, put the lid on, and refrigerate them overnight. Then take them out in the morning and don’t refrigerate until after you’re done serving them (if there are any leftover).
Thank you SO much. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my silly question. And no, I’m not using your cupcake recipe because I made a beeline straight for the dough ball one! But I actually didn’t make enough cupcakes so I’m glad you reminded me that you have a recipe! Thanks!!!!!!
I’d suggest the Oatmeal Cookie Cupcakes. YUM!
You are very welcome. Let me know how it goes!
I hope this weekend you got a lot of rest and relaxation. I was looking back at your recipes for inspiration and I noticed that you used to use stevia in some of your baked goods but I haven’t seen you use that recently. Is there any reason for the change or can stevia be used to replace the white sugar in your recipes with the same effect? I like the NuNaturals and have found it is great for sweetening most things and I don’t have a problem with the taste. Seems better than sugar but just curious what your opinion is regarding the stuff for yourself and your kids? thanks so much!
B
I do like the NuNaturals stevia, and to be quite honest I was subbing it in a lot of baked goods because I was sent a ton of free samples I needed to use. I still swap it in occasionally and think it’s a great product, but obviously sugar is more readily available and so that is what I always list for recipe purposes. I don’t mind the girls having real sugar in the occasional treats at all, but for those looking to limit their sugar intake, I think the NuNaturals stevia is a fantastic choice.
I, too, have had “scarlet fever” for a while, and this was just what I needed
Thanks, Mamma Pea!!!!!
It kind of works, huh?
I hope you are feeling better soon! Now that is the kind of tea I can get on board with, there isn’t any tea in it
I love 21 salute! TJs has the best spices. I bought all of their grinders. Did you know they have a cinnamon sugar one! Mmmm. You should make cinnamon cookie dough balls! Hope you feel better soon.
They do?! I made snickerdoodle dough balls here:
http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/11/28/deck-the-balls/
I’m having this now. Didn’t have Siracha but had Chili lime Garlic sauce. It’s very tasty, so even if it doesn’t work, I’m pretty happy.
Thank you!