The Piggy Flu

In case you haven't watched the news in the last six months or so, let me fill you in on something--this thing called the Swine is sweeping the nation. No, it's not a rad new dance (does anyone say rad anymore?) or a hoppin' new music group (I'm betting no one uses that word anymore either). It's a sickness. More accurately, it's a strain of flu that I like to call the Piggy Flu.

Sadly, my roommate has fallen ill with this new virus. Well, at least we think she has. In a particularly stellar move, BU Health Services has determined they don't care to properly diagnose flu-like illnesses anymore. Sweet.

Poor Chelsea is missing out on PRSSA Nationals in San Diego this weekend. I decided that a good way to fight the Piggy Flu is a vegetable soup containing virtually every veggie I found at the grocery store.

I based the vegetable soup off of the famous Weight Watchers garden soup (found here), but changed it up to suit my own tastes. Our super healthy soup contained:

• Yellow squash
• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Green beens
• Onions
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Garlic

I boiled vegetable broth (about 8 cups, but I should have used more broth and fewer vegetables) with one small can of tomato paste, salt, pepper and some paprika. Then I added the vegetables and simmered for about half an hour. I also added some elbow pasta.

I'll keep you posted on whether or not the veggie soup has any magical healing qualities. I'm hoping it does. I hate when people are sick, and I'm not loving how many people have the Piggy Flu.

What are some of your favorite home remedies?