chicken soup for when your tummy is crummy

Let's say you eat a taco from a place you've eaten before with no problem. You get it on a corn tortilla and even while you're chowing down you notice it's not sitting quite right in your stomach. Then the thought crosses your mind that it's probably not 100% free from cross-contamination but you take the chance because you're hungry and you've already eaten half of it.

Most of the time that situation happens without any consequences. The discomfort passes without incident and you chalk it up to hunger or a miniscule amount of gluten.

Then there are those times that you regret it and you can't believe how stupid you are for taking that chance. You could have stopped eating when you noticed the discomfort. You could have avoided the situation altogether by not ordering gluten-questionable food. You could have reminded yourself that hunger is much more preferable to being glutened.

Yesterday was one of those times. One of those times that I'm thankful for zofran and pepto bismol and heating pads and understanding husbands.

After a glutening, even one followed by drugs and tons of water, sometimes it takes a few days for things to get back to normal. Even simple things like cereal are hard to digest.

Which is why today I made a simple chicken soup. Chicken soup is inherently comforting. It's easy on the tummy but substantial enough to call it a meal and keep you going.

My mother in law made a big pot of this soup when my husband broke his wrist. I loved it and was surprised at how ridiculously easy it was.

"I got glutened" Chicken Soup

In a big pot, combine:

chopped carrots
chopped celery
chopped onion
chicken breasts or thighs

Add enough water to cover the contents.
Bring to a boil and then simmer until the chicken is cooked. I let mine go for about an hour.
Remove and shred the chicken, then add it back in.
If you'd like, add rice and simmer until it's cooked. If you'd like a brothier soup, stir in more water. It's a very forgiving recipe.
Add salt to taste.

Start by eating just the broth, then add in chicken and vegetables when you can handle it. Then remind yourself that taking a chance with gluten is never worth it.