~ Namaste ~

Archive for the ‘Soup’ Category

I woke up yesterday morning with that dreaded “tickle” in the back of my throat. You know the one – It’s subtle, but it’s never a good sign of good things to come. After cursing the sick people roaming around Paris spreading their germs I headed straight to the kitchen to chug some Vitamin C, make some tea, and say my prayers in hopes of keeping the tickle at just that.

I went to bed super early last night, fingers crossed that I’d wake up without the headache and earache that had slowly been developing over the course of yesterday but alas, I awoke this morning to a pounding headache, itchy eyes, pressure in my ears, and a throat that feels like it’s been massaged with sandpaper. Awesome.

Of course we all want the comforts of home when we aren’t feeling well, and since the comforts of home are several thousand miles away right now for me, I went with the next best thing.

Soup. But not just any soup. This is special soup and deserves a special name. I think I’ll call this “I’m Really Far From Home, Not Feeling Too Well, Want Soup But Am Too Sick To Make Soup” Soup. Kind of has a ring to it, dontchya think?

So. Here’s how you make soup, when you’re too sick to make soup.

First, you find whatever veggies you have in the fridge – I happened to have a little bit of broccoli that needed to be eaten, but any kind of leftover veggies or uncooked veggies you have on hand would work wonderfully. Then, put it in a pot with some pre-prepared soup of your choice. I happened to have a box of pumpkin soup from the supermarket here, but I know at home (and by home I mean in the US) they have tons of boxed soups like butternut squash, roasted bell pepper, yada yada yada. As much as I don’t like pre-packaged stuff like this, I’m willing to suppress my inner food snob and do what’s easiest when I’m under the weather. Know what I mean?

Anyway. I digress.  Next step – turn up the heat, and let everything warm up, or in my case let the broccoli cook through. Add in whatever protein you like – I happened to have some rotisserie chicken leftover from last night, but if  you have something else leftover or are a veggie, then chickpeas, black beans, etc. would work great too. Let it all come to a simmer and let it do it’s work until it’s heated through. Et voila! Soup!

I’d like you to know that this was my breakfast. Soup. For breakfast. I never said I was normal.

Lean in close and I’ll tell you the secret behind making this soup. The reason making this soup is so simple, is that you aren’t really making it! Et voila!

It was so delicious that I had it again for lunch, but this time with some spinach I got at the market the other day. Same process, just a different veggie. Like so…

Et voila! Soup!

These little bowls of comforting goodness were definitely bright spots in the day. And the best part is that it literally took less than 5 minutes to have a hot bowl of soup in front of me.

It’s no novel idea, but maybe my “soup recipe” will help you when you’re under the weather too and give you the creativity you need to make something healthy and quick when you’re sick. Hey look, I’m a poet and didn’t know it!

Clearly whatever illness I have is making me looney. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgot about all of the questions you asked last week. I had planned to answer all things France today, but am just too darn tired. Please forgive me Stay tuned for all my answers tomorrow.

Do you have a go-to recipe when you’re sick? Any pre-packaged foods that you like to jazz up?

I’m off to cuddle up in bed and attempt some homework. And maybe make another bowl of soup.

Sigh.

My parents sent a package off to me last week that was supposed to get here Monday, and it finally came today. Any mail I receive goes straight to my school and I was keeping my fingers crossed all through class that it would be there by the time I got out. It was my lucky day!

Seriously, this little box of goodies came at the perfect time. As I’ve already mentioned, this past week was really hard for me. I was struggling a bit with adjusting and missing home a bit and although I was feeling better this morning, I’m feeling great after my little box-o-love came in the mail today.

Amongst the goodies – rain boots that fit (mine were to tall for me – the joys of being short!) , a different camera lens to try (turns out it’s a lens problem because now the camera works!), agave nectar, gluten free crackers (!), and coffee (!!) to name a few.

I knew there was going to be coffee in my box so I stopped at the store on my way home and bought some lait entier. My morning cup-o-joe and I were like peas in a pod back home. It’s been about four weeks since we’ve really spent some time together…and our reunion was fabulous. Seriously, you wouldn’t think that a cup of coffee would make such a difference, but my mood skyrocketed after this little cup of Caribbean Delight. I felt like I was standing in my kitchen at home just getting my day started…

Oh, and you know I dug right into the gluten free crackers.

Crackers – with a side of French history. Nothin’ like a little love from home.

I always love Wednesdays because I have the afternoons completely free. I decided to faire une promenade today to make sure the camera was working for sure. Shooting with a 50mm lens is interesting, but the good news is that the camera works and the lens is temporary.

Woo!

On my walk I picked up some ingredients to make soup for dinner. My roommate made something similar the other night that was delicious so I followed suit.

Basically I just jazzed up some pre-made soup (it was Pumpkin!) with some sautéed carrots, chicken, potatoes, and broccoli. My roommates and I have made this a few times over the past couple weeks actually. It’s hearty, warm and comforting on these cold nights! Plus it’s healthy with all of the fresh veggies and a little protein action from the chicken. Mmm.

Oh, and did I mention that we finally had temperatures in the upper 40’s and even low 50’s today!? What a good day. Hope yours was just as good too!

Sunrise

You can
die for it —
an idea,
or the world. People

have done so,
brilliantly,
letting
their small bodies be bound

to the stake,
creating
an unforgettable
fury of light. But

this morning,
climbing the familiar hills
in the familiar
fabric of dawn, I thought

of China,
and India
and Europe, and I thought
how the sun

blazes
for everyone just
so joyfully
as it rises

under the lashes
of my own eyes, and I thought
I am so many!
What is my name?

What is the name
of the deep breath I would take
over and over
for all of us? Call it

whatever you want, it is
happiness, it is another one
of the ways to enter
fire.

- Mary Oliver