When mom gets sick…

Normally I don’t get sick. (I credit my commitment to eating at least a little dark chocolate each day–hey, it’s high in anti-oxidants; it’s nearly as good for me as my daily vitamin. Really.) For the occasional sniffle, I pop in a cough drop or two, I’m done. Upset tummy, I grab a banana, I’m good. But my middle daughter gave me a doozy of a head cold that I’m still trying to get over. Excuse me while I grab yet another tissue.

While I don’t like being sick (I know, I know, no one does), I’ve noticed it’s had a few benefits. I wanted to share a couple–

Hot stuff in the kitchen

Mr. Squid believes hot, spicy food helps cure colds. I’m game, especially since my part in making the meal was staying in my three-blanket- deep cocoon on the couch while catching slight whiffs–between Kleenex rounds–of celery seed, cayenee pepper, tomato, paprika and a dozen other spices that Mr. Squid melded into a shrimp etouffee. He’d been wanting to try a Cajun dish for quite some time and seeing my red nose must have been inspiring. He served the etouffee over wild rice with tilapia and sauteed asparagus. Clean plates all around! Mine included.

Baking on her own

Meanwhile my oldest wanted to make a knock-out cake for a get-together with friends. I’ll admit, usually I’d be inclined to hover over her and give countless ‘helpful suggestions’ while she mixed. Well, I couldn’t hover, not with the Kleenex habit. We talked through the recipe together, I sent her in the kitchen and she whipped up her first cheesecake. Count me as a proud mama, especially since I got a slice out of the deal.

I’m sure I’ll get over this cold soon (no doubt another slice of cheesecake will help), but it’s been nice to enjoy a little foodie TLC in the meantime.