Chicken Soup for the Cold

Despite the fact I have a chronic illness (fibromyalgia), I rarely get sick. An occasional stomach or headache maybe but I haven't had the flu for maybe seventeen years.

On Wednesday, I started feeling under the weather. Thursday, I knew I was in for it. By Friday, a cold was full blown. I didn't want to talk because it caused a coughing jag.

One of the last things I wanted to hear on Thursday was, "What's for dinner?" (Can you ask who, besides Isabella, asked?) In my head I might have said, "What do you think, you idiot?" However, I had defrosted something that was easy to broil.

On Friday, leftovers were the only choice I gave.

Now Saturday, I was intrigued by a recipe for chicken soup a school mate I had caught up with on facebook offered and I was willing to work through the yuck to make it.

Roast a whole chicken at a high heat for twenty or thirty minutes to render out fat and increase flavor. Put the chicken into a pot with cold water, fresh peppercorns and dill, salt, carrots, onions and garlic. (I had to use dried peppercorns and dill and also added celery.) Simmer, I repeat simmer for several hours. I advise putting the pepper corns in cheese cloth, if at all possible, if you don't strain your soup. Straining is the norm.

This is one of the best chicken soups I have ever eaten! I confess I added a bit of boxed chicken stock because it was already open in the refrigerator and I didn't want it to spoil. Add a bit of orzo and it is so satisfying.

Now it is Sunday and I am about 57% better and I do believe I owe it all to what we call "Jewish penicillin," chicken soup! Studies have shown that it truly helps one feel better. Research it and you will see that I am right!

Isn't it wonderful that God has given us foods that help us when we are sick? Also, herbs and such to help keep us healthy?

Have a wonderful week. Blessings, g

Silver and Gold

"Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other's gold" was a song we sang at girl scout camp. Today, I got together with someone who I have known since I was twelve years old. We hadn't seen one another for probably ten years so we decided to meet up at her mom's.

We had a lovely time reminiscing and catching up. Years ago, I introduced her to the musical artist Dan Fogelberg (you might remember his songs Longer and Leader of the Band). We attended two of his concerts in the past. Today we commiserated his death a few years ago.

When I came home, I decided to work off some of my dessert on the treadmill whist listening to, and singing along with, one of Dan's albums, Twin Sons of Different Mothers, which he recorded with a flutist by the name of Tim Weisberg (The Power of Gold is one of my favorite songs on this album). Oh, how I enjoyed that album!

I decided to listen to more and saw an album by Christian artist, Michael Card (this, Joseph's Song, can bring tears to my eyes. I started listening to him when I needed an alternative to secular music and he reminded me of Dan. Wow! I was lifted up with that album. I almost fell off the treadmill because my eyes were closed and my hands were lifted!

As I explained to my friend, I find that the old, secular music tends to remind me of things from the past that I don't want to remember. There is one song that can send me into a panic attack because the memories are so vivid and hurtful that I stay away from the oldies stations.

Whatever we put into our minds, whether reading or tv or movies, stays there forever. Memories can flitter across our minds in a nanosecond and set us up for pain or happiness.

It has taken me too many years to learn this lesson. I need to weed out those shows and books and movies that are just not silver or gold.






Now, let's have some virtual coffee. To participate, simply enter your blog post URL in the linky tool below! No need to get fancy, just invite people to your blog (or chat in the comment section if you aren't a blogger) and let's get to know each other better!



This is a Blog Hop!
1.
diane @ ginosko
2.
Purity, Modesty, and High school Girls
3.
Joyce - Our Week in Photos
4.
Michelle @ My Life Through Food
5.
Melissa @ Seven Matters
6.
Joywriters Deadlines and Expert Advice
7.
March to Finish " After Pics"
8.
Kelley @ Over the Threshold: The German Journal
9.
Jennis Seasons - staycation without the kids!
10.
gails great atlantic northeast

Daybook March 5, 2012

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . the promise of spring as evening approaches and she sun is still shining at 5:30 PM.

I am thinking . . . that some people never learn from their mistakes. Why do I bother trying to teach and yet I can't help myself.

I am thankful . . . that I listened to the Spirit's urgings and made a phone call that was received with joy. Why don't I listen more?

In the kitchen . . . the table is finally cleaned off!

I am wearing . . . a red top and olive green jeans.

I am creating . . . memories with my granddaughter. I can only hope she remembers me as I remember my beloved gram who was my best friend.

I am going . . . to hope for relief from anxiety.

I am wondering . . . how to better teach life lessons to several who will not listen.

I am reading . . . Tim Tebow's book Through My Eyes. Okay, I got it from the library but have barely cracked it open but hope to tonight.

I am hoping . . . to get some work done around here. This is a never ending theme here.

I am looking forward to . . . some time alone - PLEASE!

I am learning . . . that some things will never change and I need to let go and let God handle it.

Around the house . . . I need to get rid of anything I haven't used in the last year.

One of my favorite things . . . time spent with my BFF. It is never often enough.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . bringing my granddaughter to visit her greatgrandmother, working out, dinner with friends.

A favorite quote for the day . . . "Peace I give you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives you." Gospel of John


The Simple Woman's Daybook