Two days ago I was enjoying a lunch with my colleague in a coffee shop, we ate bamboo pot rice, very nice it was too. Today the only solid food I can swallow is watery congee.
It started with husband. Over the weekend he developed a high fever, sore throat and body aches. When most of the symptoms receded on Monday rashes appeared on his hand. The doctors (I did not want to believe the first one) said it was Hand Food Mouth Disease.
And guess what? It is moderately contagious, and adults can get it too, not just children. The same disease pattern happened to me, only my sore throat is definitely more severe than husband's. Right now my throat feels like it has been slashed in a million places, it hurts to even swallow saliva.
But everyone says to drink as much fluids as possible! Is it possible? Plain water hurts. Orange juice stings. Warm water with salt is fine too but I don't really need the additional salt. Tamarind juice with salt used to work for me before, this time it is too astringent. The most bearable option is barley water, its slight mucilaginous texture slides soothingly over the inflammed tonsils. This morning, for breakfast, I blended ice, yoghurt and maple syrup together, the numbing iciness a welcome relief.
There is also good old chicken soup, but I consider that as food. On its own, or used as a base for congee, or poured over cooked rice, it slurps up good. Tomorrow is marketing day, maybe we can get some pork bones to make pork bone soup.....
