When a cold or flu sets in, time and traditions have taught me several remedies. I boil water. I juice lemons. Most recently, I add a dash of turmeric to everything, perhaps a swig of apple cider vinegar and a sweet spoonful of honey to help nature’s medicine go down in the most delightful way. However, when it comes to mending the pangs of a wounded heart, the prescriptions are not so tried and true.
I’ve mended the shattered pieces of my broken heart before. In a manner that often surprised me, I dug deep, surfacing a resolve I sometimes forget I have. I sought reinvention and reacquainted myself with my individualism. I sought solid ground and forged forward. I turned to yoga, cleansing foods or new projects to carry me through the murky waters of the wrong relationships. Yet for some reason, when it came to a failed friendship, I allowed myself to be kicked while I was down and to stay down.
Contrary to the guillotine-like finality of an amorous breakup, the conclusion of the wrong friendship can feel like cutting fabric with dull scissors. As my own threads frayed, I allowed little jabs to continue to hurt me, questioning how such a divide could form where a solid weave had been. Subconsciously, I assumed this form of heartbreak to be different, granting it more time, more generosity of spirit, more of my mind space. Then I had a divine intervention in the form of a dance floor and Destiny’s Child.
Now that you’re out of my life, I’m so much better
You thought that I’d be weak without you, but I’m stronger
You thought that I’d be broke without you, but I’m richer
You thought that I’d be sad without you, I laugh harder
Thought I wouldn’t grow without you, now I’m wiser
Thought that I’d be helpless without you, but I’m smarter…
…Wishing you the best
Pray that you are blessed
Bring much success, no stress, and lots of happiness
(I’m better than that)
The pop divas were presumably singing to ex-lovers, but it made me realize my failed friendship was really no different. Strung together in a sentence, that idea seems so simple, but discovering it felt like a grand epiphany! A friendship breakup is still a breakup. Whether your heart aches with failed love or failed friendship (or both), I challenge you to blare that song, dance as if a crowd of one million adoring fans is watching, and not feel more empowered. Impossible!
Even as those scantily clad, jungle-surviving, good “Christian” girls wield their independence in the form of handmade spears, they remind us to wish the best to those who hurt us. They also remind us to fill our proverbial dance floors with only the best of backups- “After of all of the darkness and sadness, soon comes happiness. If I surround my self with positive things, I’ll gain prosperity.” When it comes to mending your heart, you owe yourself this 2000s throwback. When it comes to mending your physical health, you owe yourself this sweet, tart, nourishing barley water.
Keep on survivin’!
-Quelcy
Lemon & Honey Barley Water
About This Recipe: I discovered this traditional healing drink after the side effects of an antibiotic sent a family member to the hospital, and she needed natural relief for her symptoms. Barley is a whole grain rich in vitamin B-complex, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc, copper, protein, amino acids, dietary fiber, beta-glucans and various antioxidants. You can reap the health benefits of this versatile grain not just by including it in your diet, but also by preparing this sweet and citrusy tea-like beverage. It’s an especially refreshing way to start the morning!
Barley Water/Barley Tea
yield: 2 quarts
Ingredients
2 quarts filtered water
1 cup hulled organic barley
2 organic lemons
1/4 cup local honey
Directions
Soak the barley in water for 4 hours, or overnight.
Strain, and then place the 2 quarts of water and barley into a medium saucepan; cover, set over high heat and bring to a boil. Once the barley comes to a boil, decrease the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
While the liquid is cooking, peel the lemons, being careful not to cut into the white pith. Juice the lemons and place the juice along with the peel into a 3-quart pitcher or divide amongst 2 quart jars, and set aside.
After 30 minutes, strain the barley water through a fine mesh strainer into the pitcher. Save the barley for eating (use as you would rice or quinoa). Add the honey and stir to combine.
Refrigerate until chilled.
Enjoy!
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