Feelin' Better

Well, cold and flu season is in full-swing out there and even while homeschooling, we have had our share of little sneezes, sniffles and fevers. Last year, we all had the flu - the real flu. Abby and Ford got Tamiflu and thankfully, Ford never really came down with it because he started taking the Tamiflu before his symptoms started. He would have had to put off his surgery otherwise so that was a huge blessing. Abby, however, had a fever one night over 105. That's scary stuff, let me tell you. I also fared pretty poorly, with secondary infections all over and a total length of illness over one month. Anyway, we're fairly home-bound right now but we still pick up little germs here and there. This past Sunday, Ford got suddenly hit by something and had a fever of 103.6. He slept and slept all afternoon and when he awoke, fever considerably down, I administered the best medicine I know of: chicken soup.

Now, there is chicken soup and there is chicken soup! Whether canned or restaurant prepared, nothing else compares to what you can make in your own kitchen. The medical establishment used to down-play this long touted home remedy but recently have began to identify a mysterious "property" that chicken soup contains that actually does help the immune system. I think what they're looking for is nothing less than a good ole dose of TLC - but it may have more to do with bone marrow and spices. Every batch of my soup seems to improve and come closer to perfection as I discover a new flavor to add or an even better noodle. Here is my latest version which perked Ford up in time to attend Yoga Sprouts on Tuesday.

CHICKEN SOUP

2-4 Bone-In Chicken Breasts

1 Medium Onion, quartered

2 Cloves of garlic, crushed

2 Stalks of Celery, quartered

1-2 Stalks of Rosemary

Place these five ingredients in a large pot and cover with water. Poach chicken breasts about 45 minutes, or until flesh is cooked and no longer pink.

Remove chicken from pot and place on cutting board to cool.

Strain broth into a second large pot and cool slightly. Skim off as much fat as possible, either using a spoon, the end of a rolled-up paper towel, or other method.

Place broth pot on stove and heat to boiling. Add to stock:

1 Cup Carrots, peeled and chopped

8 Oz Noodles (use something small like the new Piccolini bow tie pasta that stays very small when cooked) Cook 8 minutes, or until pasta is al dente

While pasta is cooking, discard skin from chicken breasts and tear chicken off the bone. Add torn chicken to the soup along with

1 tsp Cumin

a few dashes of Turmeric

a few dashes of Coriander

Salt, to taste

Ladle into bowls and allow to cool slightly before serving to your little ones with Saltine Crackers. There really is something to chicken soup. It may be a miracle drug or it just may be that the comfort it lends helps the body to heal. Whatever the case, don't take any shortcuts here and serve Chicken and Stars - NO! In just a little while, with a few ingredients you probably already have on hand, you can make a delicious bowl of soup that would make your grandmother proud. Stay well out there!