Flu-or what happens when you don't expect it.

I have to make this short and sweet since I am digging out from under a mountain of work.

See I have been tending sick daughters at home for the past week, leaving me little time to blog, photograph or document our attempt to live on a food stamp budget.

I've been trying to save all my receipts so I can document the dollars amount spent, but am having a bit of trouble since I have an extensive pantry. It is tough to remember what I spent for things in my pantry since I rarely pay full price for anything. Years of shopping with my mom taught me that.

So I am documenting the replacement costs and hoping this will work for you all.

I decided that I couldn't shop at Costco after all. Since they don't take food stamps, it didn't seem fair to use them as a source.

What to make when your child is sick? Not horribly sick , just a sore throat, or upset stomach?

Round our house, first they get a lot of vitamin C, some homeopathic medicines and then Chinese herbs to clear the illness.

Then we look at food.

No sugar- since it depletes the immune system,

no dairy - since it is mucus forming.

Light foods that are easily digested when they feel really bad, then onto the comfort foods as they heal.

So we made chicken soup with rice and veggies.

Refried beans with tortillas.

Polenta with sauteed greens with lots of garlic.

And followed my wintertime immune basics to get over it as fast as possible.