When You're Sick

I don't know about you, but these past Autumn and Winter seasons have been horrible for me for catching colds. Maybe it was just the prolonged warmth of the seasons. I mean, how often do we have almost a week of 70° F in the month of February in Iowa? So far, I have had seven colds. Needless to say, I am sick of being sick. I like chicken noodle soup but this is ridiculous.

Speaking of Chicken Noodle Soup, since I had been sick so much, there was a need to find a way to change it up a bit. Creativity was an essential. There are many things that can be added to a can of Chicken Noodle Soup to make it different and add beneficial nutrients. Spices like cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic are great for your health as well as the various herbs that are available. Below is one of the recipes that I used to change things up and add some healthy benefits and taste to the meal.

Chicken Noodle Soup

1 Can Of Chicken Noodle Soup (brand of your choice)

1 Bag Of Frozen Vegetables (blend of your choice)

2 Cups Of Water

1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1/4 Teaspoon of Garlic

In a small pot combine all ingredients. Heat till vegetables are fully cooked. Enjoy! 

I used a stir-fry blend of vegetables. You can choose your own favorite. Also, herbs and spices can be varied and or substituted for the ones that I used.

Turkey Mushroom Feta Sauce With Noodles

Turkey Mushroom Feta Sauce With Noodles

Give this warm meal a try on a cool winter day!

Coffee Chat: Scarves!! The one accessory that I won't be without.

To me, there are few things more comfy feeling than a scarf around my neck. Weird, I know. But during the cooler months when the house feels drafty and the wind outside is howling, you will often see me snuggling up in one of my favorites. Even in the house, though they are meant to be accessories, I enjoy the fact that my neck and upper back are covered and the cool air can't get to them. Being cold is not even remotely enjoyable for me. Call me a wimp, but it seems to take forever for me to get warm again after catching a chill. The last three days, though it hasn't been really cold but still breezy, they have come in handy. Recently I acquired a small collection from my daughter, when she moved, that I was more than happy to add to my own collection.

This beautiful green scarf is a gift from my oldest daughter for Mother's Day. Stunning!!

I have scarves for every season.

Hey look, it is me not catching a chill!

Love the vibrant colors!

Of course, there are other advantages to wearing a scarf other than warmth. They can cover or make up for a low cut blouse or shirt, a stain or flaw on a shirt, or a blemish on the skin of your neck. Also, a nice scarf can be worn over the hair to keep it in place during a windy day.We all know how that can go, don't we girls?  Yes, they are a beautiful accessory for color and style.  Scarves are the one accessory that I need in my wardrobe!

8 Tips To Keep Your Home Warm That Hardly Anyone Thinks Of

Here are 8 tips to conserve heat in your home.

1. Close your cupboards. Believe it or not, the cupboards underneath your sink may leak a lot of cold air. This is because they are not heated, usually up against outer walls, and may not be insulated very well. So keep them cupboards closed as much as possible.
2. Along with keeping your cupboards closed comes keeping unused areas in your home closed that don't have heating vents or have closed heating vents. Close your shower door. It is a space that does not need to be heated unless you are using it.
3. Open your curtains in the morning. Take advantage of the sun while it is up on those sunny days. Any amount of heat you can let in that is free is a good thing.
4. If you have an enclosed porch, don't forget to seal those windows as well. Lessening the amount of cold air that comes into the door when you open it saves a lot on your bills.
5. Plastic plugs for your outlets. Chances are that you have outlets in your home that you are not using. Plug them, especially true when your outlets are on walls that are on the outer frame of your home. Get the little plastic plug covers, they work great.
6. Finally, consider baking and when you are finished, turn off the oven but leave the door partially open. Let that heat out. (watch your little ones though). Also, consider using your Crock-Pot, it throws off quite a bit of heat and is on for a good portion of the day if you put it on low to cook a meal. It also takes up less electricity than your oven and furnace.
7. Put something at the bottom of your doors to stop drafts from coming in. Doors and windows are top cold air leak areas in your home. Even if it is just a rolled up rug or towel, after you close your doors tightly, overlap a rug on the bottom of the door. It can make a huge difference.
8. Use your deadbolts. A lot of times when you use the deadbolt locks on your outside doors, the door is pulled closer to the frame and seals better.

Try these tips out. I hope they save you some cash and keep you warmer in your home.

Coffee Chat: Winter Has Arrived!

I wanted to pause this morning, while sipping my coffee, to reflect on the storm that brought the area 8 to 14 inches of snow and then beat a path out of town. Tis the season for the Midwest, and much of the nation, to receive this cool blanket of beauty, fun, cold, and fear.

It is beautiful when all is said and done. The freshly falling snow against a beautiful blue skied morning is an awe inspiring scene. I love seeing the branches of the pine trees heavy with a pillow of sparkling whiteness. Ice cycles gleam in the sunlight.

Children, even a few adults, look with wonder at the snow imagining the creatures they could create in its depths. Sleds come out in full force to the slippery slopes as our rosy cheeked young ones shriek with laughter while gliding at high velocity towards the bottom of the hill. Snowmen and women are popping up all over the country side. Or perhaps the little ones dream lazily out the window of the impending holiday season.

Make no mistake, the snow is beautiful but also cold and treacherous. Be vigilant in watching for signs of hypothermia in our overenthusiastic youth and even some adults for they may not realize how cold they really are. Watch for slippery surfaces which can be dangerous for everyone. Be careful not to overdo it while shoveling what seems like an endless sidewalk or driveway. Stay away from waterways that may not be completely frozen over. Emergency room visits, while sometimes necessary, are no ones favorite activity. Make sure that before these big snow storms, you have emergency kits in your cars with blankets, water, flares, food, flashlights, and extra pairs of dry clothes. Perhaps throw in a shovel and salt/kitty litter. Always make sure that your phone is charged and that people know where you are traveling. Slow down and drive safely! Also, before the storm begins, make sure you are well stocked on food at home and any necessary medications. Remember to check on the elderly and be generous to the homeless for they are exceptionally vulnerable.

At the end of a cold snowy day, come into the warmth of your home and heat up your body with a cup of Homemade Cocoa and a warm blanket. Enjoy the season and be safe!