Scrumptious survival soups: the common cold has met its match!Sneezing To verbally tell somebody about a new and interesting Web site. See viral marketing. , sore throat Sore Throat Definition Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. It is a symptom of many conditions, but most often is associated with colds or influenza. , watery eyes, runny run·ny adj. run·ni·er, run·ni·est Inclined to run or flow: runny icing; a runny nose. runny Adjective [-nier, -niest nose--everyone recognizes the first signs of the most common illness in the world. More than one billion colds are reported in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. alone each year. Most of these illnesses occur during the fall and winter months because viruses seem to thrive better in low humidity and people spend time in close proximity to each other. What exactly is the common cold? Simply put, it's a viral infection viral infection, n an infection by a pathogenic virus. A virus acts on the cell nucleus, taking over the genetic material within the nucleus and replicating itself. of the upper respiratory system respiratory system: see respiration. respiratory system Organ system involved in respiration. In humans, the diaphragm and, to a lesser extent, the muscles between the ribs generate a pumping action, moving air in and out of the lungs through a . Colds are highly contagious and are brought on by minor infections of the nose and throat caused by several different viruses. The most common culprit is the rhinovirus rhinovirus Any of a group of picornaviruses capable of causing common colds in humans. The virus is thought to be transmitted to the upper respiratory tract by airborne droplets. , (from the Greek rhin, meaning "nose.") Experts estimate that the average person will have more than 50 colds during his or her lifetime. Reason for the Sneezin' Some people think, incorrectly, that becoming chilled, cold, or wet can cause a cold. In fact, only exposure to a cold virus can bring on the disease. However, being exposed to such stressful conditions may weaken the body's ability to fight off the virus. Other factors that may increase your likelihood of catching a cold include: * Becoming tired, overworked, or fatigued * Poor nutrition * Chronic stress * Smoking * Living or working in crowded conditions * Poor hand-washing and sanitation This brings us to the question: "What can we do to prevent getting a cold?" Although there's nothing that will guarantee that you never get caught with your immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. down, there are some things you can do to decrease the risk. Some are just good old-fashioned "common sense." * Practice good hand-washing techniques. (Soap alone is not enough--use good friction and rinse well.) * Keep your hands away from your face. (Germs hiding on your skin can easily enter your eyes and nose.) * Avoid being in close contact with people who have colds. * If you sneeze sneeze, involuntary violent expiration of air through the nose and mouth. It results from stimulation of the nervous system in the nose, causing sudden contraction of the muscles of expiration. or cough, cover your nose and mouth so you don't spread germs to others. * Avoid caffeine drinks. * Sleep at least 7-8 hours each night. * Don't smoke. * Drink 7-8 glasses of water a day. * Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. * Spend time with God in order to maintain a cheerful, thankful heart, which the Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 is "good medicine." There's no known cure for the common cold. Antibiotics don't touch viruses. But there's good news. Usually, within 7-10 days, the body's immune system will make sufficient antibodies to fight the infection, and the cold will vanish on its own. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, gargle gargle /gar·gle/ (gahr´g'l) 1. a solution for rinsing mouth and throat. 2. to rinse the mouth and throat by holding a solution in the open mouth and agitating it by expulsion of air from the lungs. with warm salt water for sore throats, use a cool mist humidifier humidifier, n a device for adding moisture to dry air inside the home to help counteract the reduction in saliva that often occurs as a result of hyposalivation, radiation therapy, or other treatments that cause xerostomia. , rub a lubricant under the nose to prevent raw irritated skin from frequent nose-blowing, and take warm soothing baths. Keep It Clean Our Grandma Micheff was a fanatic when it came to cleanliness. She not only kept her home spotless, but herself as well. She'd faithfully wash her hands whenever she sneezed, coughed, prepared meals, or any time she was exposed to possible germs. And she insisted on the same for us. We were not allowed to touch a thing until we'd sufficiently washed our hands. Then she'd usher us into the kitchen for a steaming bowl of soup. Grandma thought that homemade soup was a cure for everything. To this very day, our dad's favorite meal is a simple bowl of soup. We love it too. Maybe there's some truth to what Grandma believed about the power of hot soup. We've also discovered that a steaming bowl of soup filled with flesh vegetables soothes the nerves and really opens those nasal passages. In honor of her love for us, we'd like to share with you some of our favorite soup recipes. Whether you're trying to survive a cold or just want to eat a healthy, delicious meal, make yourself a pot of soup for supper and you'll have your family saying, "Umm, umm, good!" FIRESIDE STEW 2 T. olive oil 1 med. onion (diced fine) 1/2-lb. pkg. baby carrots (sliced) 1 12-oz. can tomatoes (diced) 1 1/2 c. salsa (mild) 2 15-oz. cans black beans 2 t. Vege Sal 1 med. squash (buttercup or butternut squash,, baked and cubed) 1 bunch parsley (for garnish) 1/2c. Tofutti Better than Sour Cream (for garnish) * In skillet, put olive oil olive oil, pale yellow to greenish oil obtained from the pulp of olives by separating the liquids from solids. Olive oil was used in the ancient world for lighting, in the preparation of food, and as an anointing oil for both ritual and cosmetic purposes. , onions, and baby carrots; saute sau·té tr.v. sau·téed, sau·té·ing, sau·tés To fry lightly in fat in a shallow open pan. n. A dish of food so prepared. until tender. * Add tomatoes, salsa, black beans, and Vege Sal; simmer about 15 minutes. * Add squash; cook about 10 minutes. * Dish up dish up Verb to serve (food) Verb 1. dish up - provide (usually but not necessarily food); "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M. ; garnish each serving with a piece of parsley and 1 T. Tofutti Better than Sour Cream Yield: 8 cups. Per serving: calories: 250; fat: 5 grams; saturated fat saturated fat, any solid fat that is an ester of glycerol and a saturated fatty acid. The molecules of a saturated fat have only single bonds between carbon atoms; if double bonds are present in the fatty acid portion of the molecule, the fat is said to be : 1 gram; sodium: 800 milligrams; carbohydrates: 40 grams; dietary fiber dietary fiber n. Coarse, indigestible plant matter, consisting primarily of polysaccharides, that when eaten stimulates intestinal peristalsis. : 9 grams; protein: 10.5 grams. NOTE: Serve with hot dinner rolls, a garden salad A garden salad is a salad consisting of lettuce and simple vegetables found in a small vegetable garden such as tomatoes, carrots, onions, and dressing. , and your favorite dessert. You can enjoy this stew any time of the year. Try it over rice ... it's delicious that way too.
SOUTHWESTERN
BEAN SOUP
1 lg. onion (chopped)
1 clove garlic (minced fine)
1 t. olive oil
2 qts. tomatoes (canned and hand
squeezed)
1 to 2 T. McKay's Chicken Seasoning
2 c. water
2 15-oz. cans black beans (rinsed, drained)
1 16-oz. can kidney beans (rinsed,
drained)
1 15-oz. can great northern beans (rinsed,
drained)
1 15-oz. can pinto beans (rinsed, drained)
1 c. corn (fresh or frozen)
2 t. cumin (ground)
2 t. chili powder
1/4 t. hot pepper sauce
* In large cooking pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. * Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to boil. * Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. * Serve hot. Yield: twelve 15-cup servings (makes 3 quarts.) Per serving: calories: 220; fat: 1.5 grams; saturated fat: 0 grams; sodium: 600 milligrams; carbohydrates: 42 grams; dietary fiber: 12 grams; protein: 12 grams. NOTE: I love this soup on a cold day, but it tastes so good you don't have to wait for winter to enjoy it. Try adding a variety of different beans just for something new. If you like your soup a little on the spicy side, add a tablespoon of jalapeno peppers, or a touch of cayenne pepper. That will warm you up for sure!
VEGE CHICKEN-NOODLE
SOUP
12 c. water
10 T. McKay's Chicken-Style
Seasoning
1 t. celery salt
salt to taste
1 lg. onion (diced)
2 c. celery (chopped)
3 c. carrots (sliced or diced)
c. barley
5 med. potatoes (peeled, diced)
2 c. eggless noodles (wide or
medium)
2 c. soy chicken-style meat
substitute (optional)
* In large stockpot put water, seasonings, onion, celery, carrots, and barley. Bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer. * When carrots are still a little crunchy, add potatoes; cook 5-6 minutes more. * Stir in noodles noo·dle 1 n. A narrow, ribbonlike strip of dried dough, usually made of flour, eggs, and water. [German Nudel. and soy chicken; cook until noodles and potatoes are tender. * Remove from heat; serve. Yield: thirty 1-cup servings. Per serving: calories: 65; fat: 0 grams; saturated fat: 0 grams; sodium: 53 milligrams; carbohydrates: 14 grams; dietary fiber: 2 grams; protein: 2 grams. NOTE: This is Cinda's family's favorite soup. Whenever David and Catie come home, they always ask for it. It's delicious with or without the soy chicken. If it gets a little too thick, just add more water.
GARDEN FRESH
VEGETABLE SOUP
3 c. water (hot)
4 c. tomatoes (canned with juice)
1 T. McKay's Beef-Style
Seasoning (vegan)
1/2 t. onion powder
1/4 t. garlic (powder or fresh)
1 t. sea salt
1/2 c. onion (diced)
1/2 c. celery (diced)
1/2 c. carrots (diced)
2 c. cabbage (diced)
1 c. green beans (diced)
1 1/2 c. summer squash (diced)
1 c. broccoli (diced)
parsley (fresh, chopped)
* In large pan, put water, tomatoes, seasonings, and salt; set temperature at medium high. * Dice all vegetables into small pieces; add to broth; cook until vegetables are well-done, about 30 minutes. * Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Yield" fourteen 1/2-cup servings. Per 1 cup serving: calories: 50; fat: 0 grams; saturated fat: 0 grams; sodium: 438 milligrams; carbohydrates: 11 grams; dietary fiber: 2 grams; protein: 2 grams. NOTE: This soup is filled with rich nutrients and is so good. All our mom has to do is make a pot of homemade soup to put a smile on Dad's face. It 's one of his favorite foods. Photography by Mark Mosrie
BARLEY AND
SMASHED PEA SOUP
1 lb. dried split peas (rinsed,
drained)
1/2 c. pearl barley
2 qts. water
1 bay leaf
1 t. sea salt
1 T. Braggs Liquid Aminos
1 T. thyme (fresh, chopped fine or
1/2 T. dried)
2 t. garlic (minced fine)
1/2 t. dried sage
1/8t. cumin (ground)
1 1/2 c. carrots (diced)
1 c. onion (minced fine)
1/2 c. celery (diced fine)
* In large pot, combine sprit peas, barley, water, bay leaves, salt, Braggs Liquid Aminos, thyme, garlic, sage, and cumin cumin or cummin (both: kŭm`ĭn), low annual herb (Cuminum cyminum) of the family Umbelliferae (parsley family), long cultivated in the Old World for the aromatic seedlike fruits. ; bring to boil over to run over the top of a vessel, as liquid when thrown into violent agitation by heat or other cause of effervescence; to be excited with ardor or passion so as to lose self-control. See under Boil, v. i. os> See also: Boil Over high heat. * Reduce heat to maintain constant "simmer;" cover; cook approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally. * Stir in carrots, onion, and celery; replace lid; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. * Remove bay leaf bay leaf: see laurel. ; serve hot. Yield: twenty 1/2-cup servings. Per serving: calories: 59; fat: 0 grams; saturated fat: 0 grams; sodium: 18 milligrams; carbohydrates: 11 grams; dietary fiber: 3.5 grams; protein: 3 grams. NOTE: Mom has made pea soup for years, and this is a variation of her recipe. Barley is a favorite of mine and so nutritious that I use it in many recipes. I even like it cooked plain as a side dish side dish n. A dish served as an accompaniment to the main course. Noun 1. side dish - a dish that is served with, but is subordinate to, a main course entremets, side order . The spices in this soup make a nice blend, but don't forget to remove the bay leaf before serving or someone will get an unwelcome surprise. For garnish, sprinkle with chopped scallions ... it not only looks pretty but tastes good too.
TOMATO LENTIL
SOUP
1 c. red lentils (dry)
3 c. water
1 t. garlic (fresh, chopped)
1 c. onions (chopped)
1 t. sea salt
3 c. tomato juice
1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1/8 t. curry powder
1/2t. cumin
1/2t. sea salt
chives (garnish)
* Rinse lentils under running water to clean. * In medium-size pan, put water, lentils, onion, garlic, and 1 t. sea salt; cook 30 minutes or until lentils are soft and thick. * Pour cooked lentils into blender; blend until smooth and creamy. * Pour back into pan; add tomato juice, cayenne pepper, curry powder curry powder n. A pungent seasoning prepared from cumin, coriander, turmeric, and other spices. Noun 1. curry powder - pungent blend of cumin and ground coriander seed and turmeric and other spices , cumin, and 1/2 t. sea salt. * Stir with wire whip until well blended. * Garnish with fresh chives chives alliumschoenoprasm. . Yield: ten 1/2-cup servings. Per serving: calories: 65; fat: 0 grams; saturated fat: 0 grams; sodium: 478 milligrams; carbohydrates: 10 grams; dietary fiber: 2 grams; protein: 2 grams. NOTE: This soup is not only good for our bodies but tastes great, too. The garlic and vitamin C vitamin C or ascorbic acid Water-soluble organic compound important in animal metabolism. Most animals produce it in their bodies, but humans, other primates, and guinea pigs need it in the diet to prevent scurvy. in the tomato will give your body a boost, and it has just a touch of cayenne pepper that helps open the sinuses. Enjoy! |
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