31 days of Meals 4 Sharing:: reason #5 illness/injury

Illness/injury can be any number of circumstances.  Basically when someone is out of commission, bringing them a meal is always a good thing!

Accidental injury, cancer, sick child, sick parent, carrying for someone with alzheimer’s disease, surgery, car accident, spouse with an illness,  just to name a few!  Reason #5 could be long term, a couple weeks of organized meals, or just one meal. Each case is unique.

I received very valuable advice after talking with several people who have been on the receiving end of meals because of a long term illness or injury.

One thing they all agreed on was that meals were always welcome! They never ever wished that someone hadn’t brought them a meal.  Receiving a meal was always a blessing. In fact some of them said they wished more people would have helped with meals, in their time of need.

Everyone was in agreement that for long term using a website to organize a meal schedule worked well, it allowed flexibility and they were able to share their likes and dislikes.  Most websites showed what meals had been recently brought so there would be less duplicates.  You can find more great meal scheduling tips HERE.

One thing I always try to do when I bring someone a meal is offer to stop at the store for them.  Do they need any of the basics that would be easy for me to pick up for them.  Milk, eggs, peanut butter……..?  I rarely have anyone take me up on it.  I wish they would more, I never mind stopping for them.  The grocery store is my second home ya know!

They all also agreed that bringing meals in disposable containers was very helpful, but it was perfectly fine if they were not in disposable containers. They were so thankful for having a meal brought to them, having to take care of the dishes was not a big deal.

My go to meal for someone when they are sick or have just had surgery is Chicken Noodle Soup.  Who doen’t like Chicken Noodle Soup? It’s comforting, and warm, it can be eaten at any time of the day.  It’s MmmmMmmm good!

Chicken Noodle Soup has healing powers you know.  It hydrates.  Onion and garlic are always good for what ails you.  Protein from the chicken gives you energy.  Carrots and celery…….well you know they are the next miracle foods!  They will be back on their feet in no time if you bring them some soup!  You can find the step by step recipe here, or simply print it off below.

 

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Chicken Noodle Soup

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4 cup finely diced Onion
2 Garlic cloves, minced
2 ribs of Celery, sliced
2 Chicken Breasts, sliced into thin strips
1 teaspoon Morton’s Nature Seasonings
64 ounces Chicken Stock
2 cups Carrots sliced thin
1/2 pound Extra Wide Egg Noodles

 

Prep time 10 minutes.  Cook time 20 minutes.  Servings 6-8.

1. Fill large stock pot with water, salt, and bring up to boil.

2. In 6qt pot heat olive oil saute onion, garlic, celery, and sliced chicken until chicken is cooked through.  Add carrots and half of chicken stock, bring to boil.  Cook until carrots are tender, about 5 minutes. Season with half of season salt.

3. Under cook noodles just slightly.  Drain noodles in colander and add to chicken and vegetables.  Add the other half of the chicken stock.  Taste, and add more seasoning salt if needed.

 

 

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I pray that you are well, and those around you are too.  But life is fragile and chances are there is someone near to you that could use encouragement in the form of a meal.

Has anyone ever given your family a meal because of illness/injury?

If, YES, I would love to hear your story!

Have you been following any of the other 31 day series going on out there in the blogosphere?  You can find them all HERE.

You know I luv ya….you know I do!

See you tomorrow!
Sheila