Four sickies; a recipe

We’re all sick this afternoon. So far, our COVID tests have been negative.

Daniel stayed healthy the longest, but today he’s been snorting and coughing. His mood is good. This might be the very first uninduced illness of his life. (He’s had a few brief fevers, brought on by inoculations.)

Today I’ve had clogged sinuses, a sore throat, aching joints, pain behind the eyes, and lethargy (the earth’s pull has felt stronger than usual). And, unlike Daniel, I’ve been dreading the symptoms that are still to come. And I’ve been thinking about death.

Samuel has got a runny nose and lots of energy for climbing upon his parents. His elbows and knees are especially sharp today.

Karin wavers between feeling well-ish and feeling flattened. She’s missed two days of work.

At such times, it’s good to eat a warm meal that slides comfortably down the throat. Here is my own trusty recipe.

Machines:
  • Rice cooker
  • Can opener
Ingredients:
  • Grits (1.5 cups)
  • Butter (1 tablespoon)
  • Water A (6 cups)
  • Green beans (2 cans)
  • Tuna (2 cans)
  • Herdez salsa cremosa (especially, one of the cilantro-based flavors; 4 tablespoons)
  • Water B (1 glass per person)
  • Mucinex (1 tablet per person)
Combine grits, butter, and water A in rice cooker.

Plug in rice cooker.

Close lid over rice cooker.

Place rice cooker on “cook” setting.

Open cans.

Drain liquid from cans. Give tuna water to cats.

When rice cooker switches to “warm” setting, pour mixture into large bowl.

Add green beans, tuna, and salsa cremosa to bowl.

Stir.

Serve warm.

Swallow Mucinex and water B.

Makes two meals. Each has approx. 650 kcals: a little less than a Burger King Whopper, and more filling.

By all means, vary the ingredients however you like; but one-to-four is a good grits-to-water ratio for the rice cooker. The cooked mixture will firm up a bit when you stir it.