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Comfort during cold, cough and flu season with Kleenex plus a delicious chili recipe

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KleenexTarget  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

I have been sick so much since B started preschool and I know it’s only going to get worse as we head into the cough, cold and flu season. As a busy mom, since I can’t just lay in bed all day like I could before B came along, I focus on as many comfort measures for myself and my family as possible.

It starts with Kleenex. B’s skin is so sensitive, especially in the winter. If you use anything but Kleenex to wipe his nose, he has dry skin in one day. Kleenex tissues are the softest and are our go-to for the sick season.

I also love to incorporate tradition into sick days because I want B to remember sick days as a happy time when mom (and sometimes dad) took care of him, gave him comfort items and cuddled up on the couch. And I want his comfort items to be healthy ones. Here are a few ways I make sick days better.

5 ways to make sick days better days

  1. Go to bed early and wake up a bit later whenever possible.
  2. Drink tea with honey. For kids, find a kid-friendly tea. The warmth plus honey is so comforting on sore throats and for bad coughs.
  3. Make comfort food a tradition and preferably, make it healthy comfort food.
  4. Keep a box of Kleenex by your bed and your children’s’ beds. This helps so much in the middle of the night.
  5. Light a fire, candles and grab some blankets for a movie night on sick days. It’s good for everyone. The cuddles, the coziness and the rest is the best medicine.
For me, comfort food comes in the form of soup. My favorite soup is definitely a vegetarian chili recipe that my husband and I have tweaked for years and finally have the perfect formula. I’m excited to share this recipe with you today.
Chipotle vegetarian chili recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1/4 medium yellow onion
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 Cup water
  • 2 Cups vegetable broth
  • 1 15 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • Small jar of medium salsa (mild is fine if you don’t like things a little spicy)
  • Two cans of beans of your choice. I prefer garbanzo, black beans, pinto beans or kidney beans.
  • Two large carrots sliced (To save time, you can use 10 to 15 baby carrots instead)
  • 1 green pepper chopped into bite size pieces
  • 1 red pepper chopped into bite size pieces
  • 3/4 cup frozen sweet corn
  • Cumin (to taste-approximately 2 or 3 tablespoons)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)
  • Chipotle chili powder or pepper (1 or 2 tablespoons depending on how spicy you want it to be)

Directions

  1. Lightly saute garlic and about onion with olive oil in a large pot.
  2. Pour in water and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
  3. Add in carrots and let cook for five minutes.
  4. Add fire-roasted tomatoes
  5. Add salsa.
  6. Add two cans of beans.
  7. Add chopped green and red peppers.
  8. Add frozen corn.
  9. Add cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder to taste. Be sure to taste it and add in more if needed.
  10. Let cook on medium high for 25 minutes.
  11. Serve with sour cream or greek yogurt, shredded cheese and tortilla chips.

I also love adding in dumplings for a fun twist. This to me, is pure comfort.

Be sure to grab the $1 off Kleenex 4-packs or larger coupon to shop at Target before you head out for your holiday shopping. I love their holiday designs the most and have them all over my house. They add a fun element to our restrooms and my desk.

What is your favorite comfort item when you aren’t feeling well?

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