Good morning blog world and welcome to another week. I’m sorry I have been MIA for a while. We all know life can get a little wacky and with my car situation, work, and now feeling under weather I have not had much time or energy to write. Thanks, friends, for understanding. 
The flu seems to be floating around with a vengeance this Fall. I have heard several people (including me) say they have been down for the count. I don’t know about you but when I am sick I crave comfort food. Something that feels good going down and warms the soul. What better way to get back in the swing of things than with two feel- better recipes. Shall we?
The first is a quick and easy pasta dish. Grab your favorite jarred sauce and a handful of your favorite veggies and get cooking.
Feel Better Veggie & Shrimp Penne Alfredo
1 Box Penne Pasta (or whatever you prefer)
1 Medium Zucchini
1 Bunch Asparagus
1 Jar Alfredo Sauce (I used Bertolli)
1 lbs. cooked shrimp
Grated Parmesan Cheese for topping
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Cut veggies into bite size pieces
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Cook penne per directions on box.
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Drizzle a little olive oil in a large skillet. Once oil is hot, add veggies and cook until they just start to soften. I like a little crunch.
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After veggies are cooked add the shrimp and allow to heat through
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Add the sauce and pasta to the pan
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Toss to coat and serve with Parmesan cheese on top
We don’t eat cream based sauces that often but I always crave alfredo when I’m sick. I think this would also be great with a red sauce or pesto. I was able to throw this together in no time and it was a winner with the hubs too.
Next on the menu is chili. Who doesn’t love a big bowl of warm chili? Chili is a great fall meal and when I’m sick it always makes me feel better.
Feel Better Crock Pot Chili
1 lbs. Ground Beef
3 Sausage Links (Italian Sausage)
2.5 Tbs. Chili Powder
1 Tbs. Paprika
1.5 tsp. Cumin
Dash of Cayenne Pepper (or to taste)
1 C. Beer (I used Budweiser)
2 Cans Red Kidney Beans
1 Large Onion
1 Large Green Bell Pepper
1 24 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes
5 medium fresh tomatoes, diced (if you don’t have fresh, use a can of diced)
Sour Cream and Sharp Cheddar for garnish
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Brown ground beef and sausage in a large skillet. Drain grease.
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Sautee onion and green pepper until softened
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Toss all ingredients into crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours
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Sever with sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese
This chili had the house smelling amazing and it tasted so good! The best part is that I threw it all in the crock pot and forgot about it. Next thing I knew I had a hearty meal ready to eat. By the way, if you are not a fan of beer you can definitely leave that out. For us, it gave a great flavor.
So there you have it folks, two quick and easy feel-better meals. Perfect for any sick day.
Questions:
Have you been hit with the cold and flu bug yet this Fall?
What is your favorite meal to eat when you’re sick?
You are such a chef! Thank you for sharing your recipes.
I can’t wait to make a vegitarian version of your chili.
I hope you are feeling better! Mu go to sick food is soup. I can’t get enough of it and ice cream of course.
Thank you! Let me know how the vegetarian version turns out! Ice cream is good no matter what
Thats shrimp pasta looks amazing! I hope you start to feel better! I love eating chicken noodle soup when i am sick, or smoothies!
Thanks! Smoothies are great for a bad sore throat and chicken noodle soup is classic when your sick
Aww I hope you start feeling better asap! That shrimp pasta may help, as it looks mighty tasty
Tea, hot chocolate and soup are friends of mine when I am sick
Thanks! A good cup of tea with honey is perfect for a sore throat. It always makes me feel better.
I have not been hit by the bug yet, but I’m a little afraid…I think I’m going to go throw some emergen-c in my water!
Glad to hear you’re feeling better! We missed ya 
Anything helps. I have thought about getting some of that Airborne stuff….not sure if it really works though.
Nope – luckily I’ve been fighting off sickness so far (I have no more sick days, so I’m trying really really really hard to stay healthy.) When I am sick though, I like soup and/or pasta. Carbs make me happy.
I’m sure you will be fine.
Carbs make me happy even when I’m healthy 
Sorry you haven’t been feeling well! I haven’t gotten anything yet this year … I’ve been taking lots of vitamins in hopes of fighting any bugs off!!
When I’m not feeling well, I like to have lots of liquids or soft foods. Soups, hot chocolate, tea, ice cream, etc etc!
I’m glad you have managed to stay healthy! I should start taking more vitamins.
I haven’t had a cold or flu yet, but last week there were 2 days in a row that I was EXHAUSTED. Like, seriously, on the less than a quarter mile walk from the shuttle to my apartment, I was asking myself if it would be okay to sit down and TAKE A BREAK. haha.
Sometimes breaks are a must even when it’s only a quarter mile.
I totally get the feeling!
It must be that kind of week- super busy here and I feel the immune system wanting to leave me. Noooooo! Take care of yourself!
You too! Hopefully you can make it through fall without any bugs
Hope you’re feeling better! I’m the same way when I’m sick–I just want something that warms my soul. Cream-based sauces don’t hurt either.
Thanks! There is something about a good cream sauce that just works.
So not good for you but they make me feel so warm and fuzzy.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well! I wasn’t feeling so great the middle of last week either. I usually crave soup when I’m feeling sick! These two recipes you shared sound really good too!! I love cooking in the Crock Pot and how it fills your house with a delicious scent… Mmmm!
Thank you! That chili smelled amazing all afternoon. We couldn’t wait to dig in.
I was hit this weekend and it was AWFUL! I hope you feel better ASAP!
I made a giant pot of Chili, too! It was the best idea ever because I could actually taste it with all the hot peppers! YAY! Plus the loads of veggies totally gave me a shot of antioxidants. Yum!