cooking for a cold

well, we are all in varying stages of this virus that has been going around. ugh. so i made a quick run to the grocery store to get some healthy food. hopefully it will help us get over the blahs.

S made us smoothies this afternoon. low fat organic vanilla yogurt with a banana, frozen blueberries and strawberries, and a splash of orange juice.




i have a big pot of chicken soup fortified with a few extras to help us fight off the invader simmering on the stove. oh, and it smells so good. i have added fresh ginger which is a natural decongestant and antihistamine.

comfort and healing chicken soup

1 whole broiler-fryer chicken (3-4 pounds)

3 qts cold water
2 tsps salt
freshly ground pepper
a few small slices of fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp thyme
2 cups carrots, sliced
1 cup celery, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 medium turnip, chopped

1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped

fresh parsley
whole grain noodles or pasta (i like barilla plus multigran pasta. this time i used rotini)

put the chicken in a large stock pot and cover with cold water. add salt, pepper, ginger, garlic, bay leaf and a small portion of the chopped vegetables. bring to a boil and simmer for 90 minutes.

remove the chicken. remove the vegetables with a strainer and puree in a food processor. add the pureed vegetables and the remaining vegetables to the broth and simmer for another 30 minutes. debone and chop chicken, returning about half of the meat to soup.

add the noodles and chopped parsley. cook until noodles are tender.

serve piping hot.

i think i will fix myself a nice cup of ginger tea. boil a chunk of fresh ginger for 10 minutes. add a teaspoon of honey to your cup of the pale brown tea.

everyday gift: nourishing food