January 27, 2013

Misery Loves Chicken Soup

Chicken soup, misery-reliever! 
Been up and down with the flu for over a week now. Gradually getting better...ah-choo...excuse me...OK, better now! Drinking lots of fluids. Going through lots of boxes of tissues thereby doing my part to help the economy by keeping Kleenex in business. And lots of chicken soup! The best misery-reliever when you feel under the weather is exactly what your mama always told you...chicken broth and chicken soup.

This is the first year I've gotten really sick from a bad cold or flu in quite a while. It's been a tough year for flu and colds, and my sympathies to anyone out there sick this winter. I've been feeling like this:

Should have gotten my flu shot...I know, I know...will get one next year, definitely! The only flu shot I had this year turns out not to be as effective as advertised:

Take this and you'll forget you have the flu!!
May not prevent getting the flu, but those Irish flu shots are excellent in a hot toddy with some honey or agave nectar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

Misery-reliever number one is chicken soup! Generally, I like making my own chicken soup from scratch, but when I'm feeling under the weather, I just want to cook up something fast and healthy. Canned soups are fine and convenient but I'm not pleased about all that stuff on the label, and you have to watch out for preservatives. I find that by keeping just a few things in stock I can easily make a fast, homemade chicken soup.

Quick Homemade Chicken Soup

  • Carton of Chicken Broth (I prefer cartons to cans. Look for a brand with no added salt or preservatives. If you already have chicken stock on hand, even better.)
  • Carrots and Celery, chopped in small pieces 
  • Onion, finely chopped
  • Pinch of Sea Salt
  • Pasta or Egg Noodles, if desired (no real health benefit just tastes good in soup!)
  • Cooked Chicken, cut into small pieces (Optional. If you have the chicken on hand, great, add it. If not, you still have a nice, quick chicken soup with just the broth.) 
Toss everything together in a saucepan. Simmer until hot and veggies are tender, and you have a quick and healthy bowl of homemade chicken soup. You can store leftover soup for three or four days in the refrigerator and microwave cups of soups. My suggestion is making a batch of this as soon as you feel the cold or flu coming on, because the last thing you feel like doing when you are ill is getting up and cooking! Then you can simply microwave a cup whenever you feel like having soup. You could cook up the soup base in advance, even freeze it, and add the noodles later when you're ready to eat it. That way, the noodles don't get soggy stored in the broth. Chicken soup and chicken broth, the best misery-relievers!

My Cup of Quick, Homemade Chicken Soup  
Wishing everyone good health. Now I will microwave a cup of soup for myself and cuddle with my dogs, because the companionship of dogs and cats will cure whatever ails you!

©2013 JerseyLil’s2Cents, text and soup photos.
Other images are from Google.

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After posting this, my blog friend Robert of Mulled Madness sent me these funnies to cheer me up. Just have to share, too funny!



These funnies really cheered me up. Thanks Robert! :)

27 comments:

  1. Looks delish!

    To cheer you up: http://www.funny-joke-pictures.com/2013/01/chicken-soup-funny-joke-cartoon.html

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    1. Thanks Robert, I love them!! They really cheered me up! I just added these funnies to my blog post. :)

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    2. Thank you!!

      Glad you enjoyed them. :)

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  2. There's nothing like home-made chicken soup especially in this weather or when you are feeling ill. It's quick and easy to do, and makes you feel so much better.

    Always a good idea to keep a little broth in the freezer just in case. I hope you make a good recovery and I know those doggies will keep you warm. Nothing like a loyal dog to make your day when you're feeling under the weather.

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    1. Thanks Rum-Punch Drunk! Chicken soup really does help. So easy to make and keep on hand. And you’re so right that there’s nothing like a loyal dog to make your day when you’re feeling under the weather. I am recovering well, thank you!

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  3. I love that, "Misery Loves Chicken Soup," great title, nice post. I didn't even know you were sick. Have you been going to work? I have a lot of kids, you know, so we're just getting slammed. We did all get flu shots. I don't know if you read, Madison is the number 1 spot for flu this year. Yeah! And it's snowing. Thank you for the recipe, it looks simple enough I might even be able to make it. My grandma used to make her own homemade noodles all the time. And those Irish flu shots are exactly how my dad dealt with being sick. Shot, bath, bed and fine the next day. I like your la miserablah! and the reality tv....nice work for a sick girl. Get well soon.

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    1. Thanks CrazyMama! I’m so glad you noticed the post title because I was really pleased with that one. With all the kids you have at home, I bet you’re getting hit hard with the flu. Take care! Getting flu shots, that was very smart! I didn’t know Madison was number 1 in the country for the flu this year but I don’t doubt it, it’s so cold there and all that snow!! My dad was part-Irish and those Irish flu shots in hot toddies was what he took for a cold too. I am feeling better now, thanks!

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  4. I have been sick with the flu as well. Going on 5 days now... Feeling so tired. I read it has been the worse flu season in many years. Hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Ana, I’m sorry you’ve been sick with the flu too. It has been miserable this year and tough to shake, really lingers on. I think it is the worst flu season in many years. Hope you feel better very soon! Thanks.

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  5. Hi, They call it the Jewish antibiotic, but I just call it a great comfort food. Love your post as always and get better soon. Have the Marilyn post up for you.

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    1. Hi Neil and thanks! Yes, chicken soup is a great comfort food. It certainly has made me feel better! So glad to know the Marilyn post is up on your blog, and I’ll be over to your site to read it soon.

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  6. Madilyn, so sorry to hear you've been under the weather. I keep hearing how bad the flu is this year! Chicken soup always makes me feel better, too. I hope you're well on your way to recovery! Love Robert's cartoons...what a sweetie he is.

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    1. Thanks Kris! The chicken soup is working its magic and I’m feeling better now. It has been a horrible year for the flu. I rarely get sick like this. My husband had it first and as soon as he got better, I came down with the flu. Robert’s cartoons are perfect and they really cheered me up!

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  7. Madilyn, glad to hear you're gradually recovering and healing yourself with some warm chicken broth. My daughter had the flu two weeks ago, and lord was she miserable. But she bounced back quickly, as I'm sure you will too.

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    1. Marty, thanks, and I am feeling better now! I’m so sorry to hear your daughter had the flu too. I can empathize with how miserable she must have felt. Glad she bounced right back, and yes, I am bouncing back as well, no flu can keep me down for long! Warm chicken soup works wonders.

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  8. I am glad you feel better JerseyLil! I also got flu for couple of weeks and the first 2 or 3 days were tough.
    Nice recipe. I should try sometime. I like chicken soup too. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You’re very welcome, Yun Yi, and I’m glad you recovered well from the flu! It has been a really tough year for flu and colds. Chicken soup is excellent comfort food! I hope you try the recipe.

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  9. Hope you are better soon! The soup recipe sounds yummy! Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Bev! Feeling better now. Like the photos you've been posting!

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    2. Thanks! I have some more coming over the next few weeks. Glad you are feeling better. How's the weather there?

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    3. Hi Bev, it’s very cold right now and we’re getting a little snow tonight. Can’t complain though, so far we’ve only had small snowfalls this winter and I hope it stays that way. Would rather not see any big snowstorms!

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  10. I do hope you will be well, soon. Being sick is no fun at all!

    I got a flu shot this year (not an Irish one, I might add, sadly). I've been healthy, so far.

    But when it's -45°C (that's -49°F), one is inclined to stay inside, where the nefarious flu bugs are suppose to hide.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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    1. Hi Rob-bear and thanks! Next year I will get a flu shot early. Had one last year and I was fine. This year I waited too long. My husband and I actually tried to get flu shots right after the first of the year and two doctors’ offices and all the pharmacies in our area were out. Of course, then we both got the flu as luck would have it. Recovered now and hope to stay that way. Wow, it really is cold where you are! Stay warm. Glad you stopped by!

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  11. Okay. I'm really sorry you're sick and the soup sounds and looks delicious but that chicken picture at the end, "it's nobody we know" is my first laugh of the day as I sit here all bright eyed and bushy haired at 5:39am! - Feel better and thanks for stopping by my corner of the asylum. ;)

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    1. LOL Mimi! Glad that joke made you smile...5:39 am, yikes, that’s early! I love your blog, I’ll be visiting again. I’m feeling much better now after that nasty flu, thanks! :)

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  12. Your chicken soup looks amazing. I'll be making this...with our without the flu!

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    1. Thanks Annie!! And thanks for stopping by my blog. If you like soup, I made clam chowder and I'll be posting the recipe with photos in my next post. :)

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