S.I.Q. Is Not An Option!

I love it when my husband returns home, from being in such close quarters with all of those lovely germs! A few days after reuniting with my handsome life-partner, from being on a Naval ship for almost two months, he didn’t do anything besides lie on the couch. Truth be told, he would be stuck to the couch for a few hours a day anyway, after being away for so long–but this was bad!  Fever? Yep. Chills? Sigh…Yes. He coughed all throughout the night and during the day, he was unable to taste the food that touched his tongue. The poor guy was miserable! I made all of his favorite dishes, but I didn’t hear any praises, because his taste buds were defeated by a horrible cold–or so I thought. Without fail, my children became ill with high fevers a week later, and I was next. This was much worse than a cold!

While playing Dr. Mommy and catering to my man, that inevitable first symptom finally caught up to me. My throat became sore, I was congested, and I preferred nothing more than to binge watch “The Vikings” with my sick husband…We got a few episodes in, but reality won! As my babies–all three of them–were being pampered and recuperating, I was secretly cursing my husband for making us suffer! I know that he didn’t intentionally pass on his germs to us, but I was still a little upset! I really, really, really dread being sick!

Being able to be “sick in quarters” (S.I.Q.), as one might be on a naval ship, was not an option for me. No, not in my civilian home. You see, I’m a mommy who homeschools two children and still want to make sure that my husband is fed! I must give him some credit, though–he knows how to warm up a tasty can of chicken noodle soup and he makes delicious tea with just the right amount of honey! Still, I really wasn’t afforded the opportunity to rest in bed (or on the couch) all day. So, I gathered up all of the energy that I could find, and cooked. I didn’t want to make chicken noodle soup from scratch either. I didn’t want chicken anything, at this point. So, I resorted to Pinterest.

Oh, how I thank God for Pinterest! During my search, I came across a recipe. Discouraged because I didn’t have all of the ingredients, nor was I going out in 25 degree weather to get them, I improvised! Just let me say: “OMG!” This soup was sooooo good!

*Tbsp. of Olive Oil

*1 lb Ground Turkey

2 Garlic Cloves (Smash with a knife, then chop)

1/2 Onion (chopped)

2 Cans Beef Broth

*2 Cans Diced Tomatoes (Rosemary & Oregano)

*3 Tsp of Beef Powder

*3 Cups of Water

2 Tbsps. Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Dried Basil

1 1/2 Tsp Steak Seasoning

2 Cups of Macaroni–cooked al dente (boil only for 5 mins., with olive oil).

Salt & Pepper to taste

*I also added onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoning salt to taste.

*These items were not in the Pinterest recipe.

Heat olive oil over med-low heat. Add garlic and onion until golden. Remove from heat. Add Ground turkey. Season meat with salt, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Return to med heat. Brown meat completely. Add UNDRAINED Diced tomatoes (there will be a lot of tomatoes–may use 1 1/2 cans instead, but use ALL of the liquid) and add all other ingredients EXCEPT for PASTA. Cook covered, med-low heat, for 10 mins.  Add Pasta. Remove from heat to a cool burner. Let sit for five minutes. Do not let pasta overcook in soup.