Saturday, September 26, 2009

I've Got The Flu Blues

I guess my premonitions of feeling off last week were valid, because it finally caught up with me.

I was struck by the flu bug! Shame on me for not getting that flu shot.

Yesterday morning, I woke up feeling a little unwell. My stomach was a bit iffy but it wasn’t until my drive to work that it hit me hard. I thought I was going to have to pull over from the severe bouts of nausea that overtook me.

I only made it to work to turn right back around and head home. Thank goodness for this, because as soon as I walked in the door, I had just enough energy to take a few steps to the couch and CRASH! Fever, chills, nausea….the works. I slept for 6 hours and started to feel slightly better. Needless to say, our romantic date got postponed. :(

Thankfully, I believe my bug is just a 24 hour thing because I do feel a lot better today. I’m still pretty weak and feeling icky but fortunately, the worst is behind me.
The lesson in this would be to listen to your body! I could tell something wasn’t quite right all week and did I listen? Nope, I just kept pushing myself and tried to ignore it until my body gave up and forced me to take a break.

Ps- I get this bothersome little facet from my dad, who is also sitting at home right now in a terrible state of ailing health due to ignoring his early symptoms all week. My poor dad has been stuck with this nasty bug as well! :( Sorry pops.

Today, I’ve been laying low. I haven’t had much of an appetite which is quite a shame and I believe one of the worst parts of being sick. I did manage to find some comfort in tea and this little bowl of apples, yogurt and granola in the afternoon.


Toly went to the PSU game tonight so I am hanging solo on this fine Saturday evening. After hours of laying around, I finally started to get my appetite back and decided to go on with the Pumpkin Feast I had originally planned for tonight.

All this talk of pumpkin has really got me love-struck for one of my favorite fall ingredients. I have a slight infatuation with any and all things pumpkin and when I picked up a huge can of pumpkin at the store last week, I had great intentions of dedicating an entire day to everything pumpkin.

First up….

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

1 loaf of Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread (Or you could use Cinnamon Bread) cut into 1 in cubes
2 eggs
1 cup milk (I used ½ cup coconut and ½ cup vanilla soy)
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbl Vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin puree

Directions: Place the bread cubes in the greased baking pan. Whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and pumpkin in a separate bowl. Pour over the bread cubes. Top with crushed pecans. Bake at 350 for 45 min.

Some incredible topping ideas…..
Pumpkin Butter
Melted Carmel
Vanilla Ice Cream

Or, you could just do what I do and choose all 3!!! How can you possible pick just one of these wonderful options?

This recipe is DELICIOUS and so easy. I think the Pumpkin Bread really made a huge difference but I’ve used cinnamon raisin bread in the past, and it was just as lovely.

Okay, second pumpkin dish…..

Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

1 diced onion
3 cups veggie broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 15oz can pumpkin puree
1 cup cream (I used coconut milk)
Spices- thyme, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper

Directions: Sautee onion for 5 min. Add the broth, tomatoes, and beans and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and add the rest of the ingredients. Let it simmer for 20 min.

And to go with the pumpkin soup….

Pumpkin Cornbread

I used this great mix to start and added in a few big spoonfuls of Pumpkin.

Love the addition of pumpkin with cornbread. So sweet and savory. It was perfect to dip in the scrumptious soup.

My bowl of pumpkin soup was exactly what I needed. So warm, comforting and satisfying. This is probably one of my favorite soup recipes. It has that rustic chili falvor from the smoky seasonings and beans but the pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and makes it so smooth and creamy!



I am so happy my appetite reappeared because it would have been such a shame to miss out on this glorious pumpkin feast!

Well, more resting is in store for the night. I plan on curling up on the couch, watching a movie and digging in to some of that tantalizing bread pudding.

Even though being sick is no fun what so ever, it is nice to have an excuse to do absolutely nothing and FULLY rest! Whether I want to or not, my body isn’t giving me an alternative, so I think I shall just comply and enjoy the break.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

10 comments:

  1. holy moly that pumpkin bread pudding looks FABULOUS! I'm pumpkin obsessed.. and that recipe is calling my name!

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  2. Oh no!!! Wishing you a quick, full recovery - hang in there and REST UP!!

    Oh my, that bread pudding looks SENSATIONAL!

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  3. I am so sorry girl.. Hope you feel better soon!!!!!

    I am so bookmarking the bread pudding recipe!!

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  4. That pumpkin bread pudding sounds PERFECT for Thanksgiving (yes, I'm already thinking about the wonderful holiday). I hope you feel better dear!! Sometimes it's just what you need to get a much needed break from all the hustle and bustle.

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  5. i'm a big pumpkin fan so these recipes sound delish. feel better soon!!!

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  6. I love all the pumpkin! My store was out of the regular size cans and I had to buy a HUGE one. Now I'll have some ideas of what to do with it all. Thanks! HOpe you feel better soon! xoxo

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  7. Oh WOW!!!! All of these sound incredible. You should look up a recipe for pumpkin ginger cookies. I use to bake them all the time.. then forgot about them and they reappeared in my mind yesterday. Seriously though.. you have got me craving pumpkin more than any other pumpkin post I've seen. Thanks for sharing the recipes.

    I hope you feel better soon!! Tea and other soothing things makes the soul and body feel good :D

    XO

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  8. Oh my gosh that soup looks amazing! I must make some STAT! :)

    Feel better soon sister!

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  9. Aww... hope you're feeling back to 100% quickly!!

    Your pumpkin recipes look fabulous! Going to have to add them to my mile long "to try" list.. lol!

    Remember, take it easy & get better soon! :)

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  10. Aww I hope you feel better soon! I am loving all those pumpkin dishes, though! Yum! I need to make that soup and cornbread stat :D

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