Emergency Fridge

This is the time when colds and viruses hit. it can be debilitating, especially when either one comes on strong. You can't get out of bed. You barely can head into the kitchen and cook. This is the time for emergency stock ups. Have your kitchen ready when you can;t go to the store.

Two of the most important items to have are bouillon cubes and soups. These are the easiest to heat up and the easiest to get down. Plus there's nothing like hot liquid to soothe a sore throat. Another plus about bouillon cubes is that they can be used as the base for many heartier soups you can make. Bouillons are light and make a good snack too besides being for lunch or dinner. Add a few Saltines if you're up to it.It makes the cup more substantial and you won't feel so hungry afterwards. Any kind of soup is a good addition to your emergency stock up. Campbell's newest addition, Well Yes! has a wide variety of choices (this is my go to soup now), from tomato basil to roasted chicken with wild rice. These have a lovely homemade taste that's just comforting. What goes with soup? Crackers, Have plenty of Saltines on hand. These are tasty with a cup or even lightly spread with butter or peanut butter.Bread is another must have.A plain slice of toast is always welcomed when you're just coming back from a decreased appetite. Stick with loaves. Baguettes and rolls will become stale too quickly,

Another must have when you're sick is apple sauce. The pectin in it helps alleviate diarrhea and the sugars gives the body an energy boost. Make sure you have cinnamon to add to it. Bananas are another fruit that should be on hand. It replaces potassium lost from vomiting and diarrhea along with helping to strengthening the stomach lining. It's also an easy snack for the kids too. What else should you buy in case you get sick? Rice. It also calms the stomach if you have the flu.It's also one of the easiest foods your family can cook up and it can be used as a side for many dishes like stew. You may also want to buy frozen foods such as pizza and French bread pizza. It's a simple cook, one that even your tweens and teens can do. You can also have easy to saute foods such as chicken breasts or flank steaks, along with such versatile veggies as tomatoes and peppers. These last can be  cut, diced, and sliced and added into a variety of different dishes. Since you'll be feeling dehydrated along with just having a dry throat , get your favorite juices along with cola. The last really does help with upset stomachs and can settle any disturbances It also is just good as a semi frozen slushie when your throat feels extra sore. Teas are a must too. Stock up on your favorite blends. You will be drinking a lot of cups of them.

Don't be stuck with an empty fridge when you're sick. Stock up beforehand on the basics that you and your family will need. That way you can stay in bed and nurse  a bad cold, flu or sore throat.

Your Sick Day Foods

This is the time of year when you're either sick with a cold or worse ,the flu.You don't feel like eating even though you have to just to keep up your strength.What to do when this happens? Eat the right foods.You'll feel a tad better- maybe even sneaking in a favorite snack. Dehydration is one of the problems when you fall ill.Make sure you have plenty of fluids.One of the best is chamomile tea.It has a mild flavor ,perfect for when your mouth has that cottony feeling thanks to the sniffles.If you're recovering from a stomach virus ,think anything ginger.This rhizome is a natural stomach calmer that settles any upset.Have a tall glass of ginger ale over crushed ice or even better ,fresh Ginger tea.Take Ginger root and slice it into either thick chunks or wafer thin slices (this is up to you).Steep in boiling water for a good five minutes to get the full effect.Add anti oxidant rich dark honey if you wish to sweeten.If you have a cold , soothe it with orange juice.You can even semi freeze it to create a refreshing slushie. No matter how sick you are, you still have to eat.Broths are always the best in this situation.It pays to have bouillon cubes on hand anyway , but now is definitely the time for them.Have a bowl of any kind of broth,whether chicken ,beef or vegetable with a simple side of Saltine crackers.The last is even good as a snack if your hunger returns.They're not greasy or too strong in taste .Once you start to feel better you can add peanut butter to them to get much needed protein.As your symptoms subside , you may want to try some milder soups, like egg drop(or panpiest ,the Northern Italian classic made with just broth ,eggs and breadcrumbs) or a vegetable soup.When those hunger pangs return don't go hog wild with hearty eating .Try a simple brown rice or just plain pasta with only melted butter on top.You could also eat mashed potatoes too as a main meal until you feel right again. The appetite is the first thing to go when you feel sick.Yet eating is the most important step in getting well again.Take it easy with the right food and drinks.Save the fun stuff for later when you're flu and cold free.

Foodie Sick Day Kit

Yes it's that time of the year when flues and viruses make their debuts. It's also the time of year to stock up on the essentials, mandatory for any sick day. You'll feel better knowing that these are just at your fingertips. After all who wants to go grocery shopping with a high fever or a bad cold?

The most important item to have is bouillon cubes. These are priceless because they can just be boiled into broth or as the base for any soup. You can buy them in chicken, beef and even vegetable. The broth can also be used as the boiling water for rice when you're sick. Everyone recommends this grain however it's a bit blah when boiled in just plain water. The broth flavors it and it does become a tasty dinner.Stock up on rice as well. You can use it in soups or plain as well as your family having something easy to cook when you're down. Another grain is oatmeal. Again, it's a good and bland start to the day and also it's another easy thing your family can cook.

Another idea is stocking up on everything instant. If you're not big on making your own soups then buy a few cans of chicken soup with anything. These are so easy to heat up.Even your littlest cooks can make a nice bowl of satisfying soup.. Also buy a few extra canned veggies that are quick and easy to make. As you're coming out of your sickness, you want to cook foods that are easy to prepare. They're also easy for the family's non chefs to prepare as well. After all you can't screw up opening a tin and then nuking the contents.. Another ideal stock up are pasta and noodles. They can be easily boiled and served wit just a simple sauce of melted butter.

This is the time of year when all those nasty little flu bugs want you. Have your kitchen prepared with easy go to foods that are a cinch to cook. That way you can just concentrate on getting better instead of worrying about your meals.

Foods To Soothe A Foodie's Tummy

A foodie's life may be a great one but he or she has to have a strong stomach. Our kind love everything from the spiciest to the iciest when it comes to food and drink. However our stomachs may not like what we eat. What to do? Well, there could be that ever present bottle of Tums or Rolaids or you can fight fire with fire. There are a few foods that settle a dyspeptic tummy.

Ginger is one of the best cures for any upset stomach or nausea. I always have some on hand that I can eat right from the canister or drop a cube or two into my tea. It's been soothing stomachs since the beginning of timeand was considered a digestive aid in Colonial America. Ginger ale, beer or tea is perfect for anyone suffering through a bad stomach flu. The ginger will stop and settle the nauseous feelings while the sugar and liquid stave off any dehydration. Ginger is also good for curing motion sickness so have it in the car for long trips. You can buy the Ginger People's Ginger Chews for this. One or two taken with hot or cold tea should do the trick.

I found that peppermint is another good tummy soother. I always have a tin of the uber mints, Altoids in my bag. These little dynamos have gotten me through some greasy, spicy meals and their aftereffects for the years.Peppermint is good in tea and help a roiled stomach after a big lunch or dinner. Have a box of it at the ready for just such occasions. It may be a little daunting if you have some kin d of stomach bug however. Use it in moderation if you feel a little off. Ginger is the better choice here.

Don't reach for the Tums or Rolaids right away if you're not feeling quite right. Try the foodie remedy of all natural ginger or peppermint to cure an upset stomach. You'll feel better . Trust me.