the perfect housewife: chicken soup for the housewife's soul

There are a few things that I pride myself in, one of them is that I rarely get sick. The reason for this is likely because I take pretty good care of myself. I eat well, get lots of sleep and I am not (that's right, I said I am NOT) a compulsive hand washer. Therefor I do not kill the good bacteria that is on my hands, which helps my body build an immunity to sick germs. In fact just last week I was discussing this with another co-worker of mine, bragging about how I never get sick. Just my luck, I forgot to touch wood and on Friday morning I woke up with that dry/scratchy feeling in the back of my throat. Yep, I was (and still am) sick! I think there is one thing that never changes for me when I get sick. I always just want to be taken care of. My husband does a pretty good job, but it never compares to the way my mom or my stepmom used to take care of me when I was sick. My mom used to make me up a bed on the couch and bring me my favourite foods in order to get me to eat. My stepmom used to run me an Epsom salt bath and make me drink pots of herbal tea. Somethings haven't changed, I still drink lots of herbal tea when I'm sick and I still make myself a bed on the couch.

hot tea (from my keurig) and organic honey

My friends will tell you how I am one of the biggest fans of the Keurig coffee maker. It was my favourite wedding shower gift, and my most treasured small kitchen appliance. If there was ever a fire in my house, and I could only grab one thing to save (animals and people aside) I would grab my Keurig in a heartbeat! One of the great things about this machine is that it not only makes great coffee, but it also makes great tea! This comes in real handy when you're sick. I just leave my machine on all day, and whenever my mug is empty I can have hot freshly brewed tea in seconds! Not to mention the varieties of herbal tea you can purchase at ECS in Burlington. Herbal tea paired with some organic honey (from my Opa Echlbeck's bee's) is by far one of my favourite home remedies for a cold or sinus infection.

homemade chicken soup

Another great home remedy for a cold is homemade chicken noddle soup. I know what you're thinking, who has the energy to make chicken soup when you're sick? That's why you make it when you're not sick, and stick it in the freezer to just take out and heat up when you are sick. All you need is a leftover chicken carcass and some carrots, celery and onion. Chop up the veggies, and throw everything into a stock pot with some water, a couple of bouillon cubes and some desired spices, then simmer on low for about an hour. Remove the chicken carcass and scrap any leftover meat off of it to throw back in the soup. Add some pasta, rice or potatoes bring the soup back to a boil for about 15mins. And there you have it. Homemade chicken soup. I always set some aside and keep it in the freezer, for a quick weekday meal or for times like now (when I'm sick!). You can also strain out the vegetables from the soup, and use the broth for other recipes. It's a great base for other kinds of soup, or even in substitution for water in rice.

raspberry-mango smoothie

Soup and tea are great liquids for your body when you are sick, but they don't supply you with much vitamin c. Everyone knows that vitamin c is important when you are fighting a cold. I love to make smoothies, which not only supply you with lots of vitamin c... but they sure soothe a sore throat as well! When I was in college, I worked for a popular juice bar. While working there, I learnt how to make all of their juices and smoothies. It's pretty simple, all you need is some oj, 2-3 frozen fruits of your choice, frozen yogurt, crushed ice, and plain yogurt. Throw everything in a blender and in less than 5mins you have yourself a delicious and nutritious drink. If you want (considering it's winter, and you might not feel like a frozen beverage) you can omit the ice, and it will make more of a juice than a frozen smoothie.

gazing out the back door at the snow,
wishing I could be outside enjoying it

my dog Oreo (trying to keep warm)

One of the things I have struggled with in the past day and a half, is watching the beautiful snow fall outside and not being able to go out and enjoy it. Winter is my favourite season and let's face it, this winter has been a pretty crappy one. I feel like I've seen more snow in my freezer, then I have outside this year! Watching the snow fall outside my window, makes me long for my snowboard or my Kaboom tube and the nearest giant snow covered hill. Guess I'll just have to settle for a stroll in the park across the street with my dog Oreo. I need to save my energy for the work week ahead and for my trip to ECS tonight with my bff Emma. I inspired this non coffee drinker but major tea drinker to purchase a Keurig of her own! Plus, all of my sick tea drinking has caused me to run out of tea for my own Keurig. So a trip to ECS is muchly needed. Let's hope this snow sticks around for a bit. Although I have my doubts, it's suppose to be +6 on Wednesday :(

my cat Milo (better than a heating pad)

my cat Piper (keeping my bored sick self company)

As for my sinus infection... the home remedies have been helping, but I think I just need to let it take it's course. Even though I hate anything (especially a cold) that slows me down and keeps me away from my busy life, I have been enjoying spending some time curled up on my couch with my dog and my cats. Maybe rest and cuddles are the best home remedies of all!