15 Minute Soup for Allergy Relief

I woke up this morning with achy legs (I ran 4 long, brutal hill repeats on Sunday) and a stuffy head. Just when I thought I was past allergy season…I wasn’t. I felt like I was in a fog all day at work and my right eye keeps watering. I’m a sight for sore eyes…if you’d like more sore eyes. To help my sore legs, I did a treadmill workout this AM. I took the first 2 miles relatively easy (8:30, 8:15 pace) and then kicked it up for the last two (8:00 min/mile for mile 3 and then 7:20 min/mi for 0.5 mile and 6:50 min/mile for the last 0.5 mile). Surprisingly, my head felt better after the run.

But by lunchtime, I was back in a stuffy fog. Nothing sounded good at lunch so I came home and threw together a soup with stuff I had on hand. And it turned out great. I have an hour for lunch and I was able to whip this up and still have time to enjoy it with some crackers before driving the 7 minutes back to the office (yes, I’m lucky). I seriously felt better after I ate it. But, of course, I was too groggy to remember to take a picture for you. So you can make it and see what it looks like, k? It was tasty, promise.

Soup for a Stuffy Head

• 1T olive oil
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 1 garlic clove
• 10 baby carrots, sliced
• 1 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes (not drained)
• 1 cup penne, uncooked (I used gluten-free)
• about 1/2 a 32 oz container of chicken broth (or veggie broth)
• 3 c mustard greens, torn into pieces (or kale or spinach or chard)
• Sprig of fresh thyme

1. sauté the onion and carrots in the olive oil a large pan until onions are softened and carrots are starting to brighten in color, about 3 minutes. add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. 

2. add the chicken broth, tomatoes (with the juice), and penne and bring to a boil. add the thyme, reduce to medium heat and cook until the pasta is nearly done (7-8 minutes). add the greens and cook for a couple more minutes until softened into the soup.

3. enjoy with an ice cube so you can eat it without burning your mouth off. (I always feel like a kid when I put an ice cube in my food. but the soup wasn’t cooling fast enough and I need to eat before heading back to work.)

I have no scientific proof that it helped my allergies other than I felt better after I ate it. 

In other non-scientific news, I crafted this weekend. I don’t craft. Be proud.

I also got to hang out with Baby Bo and Meghan. [Please note I mixed patterns for the first time ever. Striped shirt, polka dot pants. I really appreciated Bo wearing a striped shirt to be a perfect accessory for me.] I like this baby a lot. And not just because we matched. Probably mostly because he belongs to Meg and I really like her, and he’s freaking adorable. 

Ahem, said polka dot pants are 50% off right now. Holly and Aubry say they have a nearly exact pair at Gap for $19, if that’s more convenient for you. The Loft isn’t in the mall, so I pick that over Gap any day. I HATE the mall in Winston Salem. 

Now, I’m off to check on the tempeh meatloaf (from Everyday Happy Herbivore) that I have in the oven. I’m super excited about it. [Um, that’s a phrase I’ve never uttered before…”hey! I’m super excited for my tempeh meatloaf!” Who says that?! We bloggers, that’s who. That’s why we’re awesome. Give me an amen.]

Wow, clearly, Claritin induces rambling. You guys are in for a treat as long as I’m on these anti-allergy meds. Lucky you.