Flu....

Achy joints, periodic sneezing fits, a fever that comes and goes...feeling "plum tuckered out," as the Brick says.

Guess I've got it. The flu, that is.

For the past few days, I've been minding the store for a few hours at our friends' insurance agency. Thankfully, it's been rather quiet, so I have time to sit, hunch up and generally feel miserable. Wait, maybe the quiet has given more time to think about this being sick business.

Fortunately, it's almost time to go home. And also fortunately, Safeway had its largest pizzas on sale for $5 last week. Not to mention, I scored roasting chickens at King Soopers for 69 cents a pound. (The chickies ate the leftover bones and fat from chicken #1, which was cooked for broth in the crockpot, then the meat frozen. The chickens didn't seem to mind at all that they were eating a compatriot. Little cannibals.)

Pizza for lunch. (Leftovers for breakfast tomorrow.) Another of those chickens will go in the oven for supper tonight (350 degrees), along with a tablespoon of marjoram, a cup of rice and three cups of water. (If I'm feeling more energetic, a cup each of chopped celery and onion will go in, too.)The roasting juices will trickle down and moisten the rice even more. In a few hours, we'll have a hot supper -- with little effort on my part. (Thank God.)

Also, some roasted asparagus -- Daughter #1 turned her skeptical mom onto this prep method.  It's so good this way, you won't want to eat it any other. This bunch was $1.50 a pound at the salvage store.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

1 bunch asparagus (leave long)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove chopped garlic (or dried garlic - about a teaspoon. Or garlic salt)
black pepper, fresh-ground, if possible.

Dump the oil on a baking sheet. Wash the asparagus, then roll it around in the oil. Sprinkle with garlic or garlic salt and pepper. Bake at 350-375 degrees for 20 min. -- or just put in the oven 20 min. before your chicken's done. Garlicky, crunchy...yumm.


The point made here --
    If you see groceries, especially ready-mades or basic items, for a good price -- even if you don't have specific plans for them at the moment -- nab them, fast! Perhaps you'll come down with the flu. (Or your family will.) Have an extra-long working day you didn't plan for. Find yourself stuck somewhere, dealing with errands or a family crisis.
    And if your week goes better than planned, these can always go in the freezer for a future crisis. (Trust me, it WILL happen.)  Otherwise, you've got an easy-to-cope-with meal, ready to go. It's much cheaper, and better for you than dragging yourself out for fast food.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go take a nap, before I fall down.