I know you’re wondering, “What does a bladder infection have to do with divorce?” But you’d be surprised. Many women get UTIs (urinary tract infections) when they’re in the throes of separation and divorce. My theory is they’re “pissed.” Angry beyond belief, and their body is expressing their fury with a symbolic symptom. This is nothing new for humans. You can easily develop a literal pain in the neck when stressed, sciatica when you think something’s a “pain in the ass,” and conjunctivitis that closes your eyes shut when there’s something you can’t bear seeing.
Whether or not you agree with my interpretation of the body’s language, I have a cranberry concoction that will keep your bladder healthy. It only takes a few minutes to make and it’s delicious.
CRANBERRY COMPOTE
(Makes about 3 cups)
4 cups of cranberries
1 cup of maple syrup or agave
1/4 cup bourbon, optional
Put the berries and the maple syrup in a two quart pot over a medium heat. Cook covered until berries start to pop, about 5 minutes. Uncover, and cook until most of the berries are popped. Add the bourbon, if using, and cook another 3-5 minutes until all the alcohol is burned off. Cover and let stand for half an hour. Put in glass jars and store in the fridge.
This is excellent with yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, or simply out of the jar. It’s not too sweet, unlike all those diluted cranberry drinks made with corn syrup, and is also great as a relish with sharp cheddar on crackers or black bread.
I suggest eating a heaping tablespoon daily.
D-Mannose, a food supplement you can get at most health food stores, is also a wonderful prophylactic against bladder infections. Just take 2-3 capsules with a tall glass of water before sex, and remember to urinate soon afterwards. (To ease your discomfort if you do get an infection, you can use D-Mannose to flush bacteria from your urethra while waiting for an antibiotic to kick in.)
Copyright Nicole S. Urdang
