Another Day and a Recipe!

Ella woke up this morning her happy self. She loves her stuffed animals - Right now her new Nemo fish she got from the Disney store on Tuesday is her new favorite (pic above).  When she wakes up in the morning, I always hear her play with her animals before she comes downstairs.  When she starts to not feel well she is very quiet in the mornings. She just lays in bed and waits for me to come get her. She is due another episode this weekend and I am starting to see a few signs - dark circles and complaining of a tummy ache (but still eats like a piggy so I know it's related to pfapa not a bug). I do pray this one is a mild one as it is suppose to be. We have a few things this weekend we are suppose to go as a family and I sure hope we can. Ella has missed out on so many birthday parties, I really do hate for her to miss out on another one.

Yesterday I received so much positive feedback about Ella's condition. I was grateful for the input and some new ideas. One, is possibly changing Ella's diet. It is something that has been in the back of my mind and I have researched it in regards to pfapa patients.  Not a whole lot is out there for kids regarding this fever syndrome but it is still worth a try. One of the possible cures for pfapa is removal of the tonsils. It is not 100% but enough positive results to consider it. However, trying something simple like changing Ella's diet is sure less invasive. I need to research more and possibly talk with a pediatric dietician first. But I am going to make some changes in how we have been eating lately. I have been 'lazy' with cooking. I'm exhausted all the time from all that is going on that I have neglected our nutrition. I am going to do better with making sure I include lots of important vitamins and nutrition in our meals. I did read that increasing Vitamin C in some pfapa kids diets has helped. Ella doesn't love oranges or orange juice, but there are definitely other foods I can give her that she will eat. She loves vegetables and most fruit. Below is a recipe I am going to try tonight.  Hopefully, she will eat it:)

Turkey, Kale and Brown Rice Soup

Recipe from Giada De Laurentiis  

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

5 to 6 large shallots, chopped

3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 1/3 cups)

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

8 ounces ground white turkey meat, broken into small chunks

1 tablespoon herbes de Provence

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed

One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 small bunch kale, coarsely chopped (about 4 packed cups) (Note 1)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. (Note 2) Add the shallots, carrots and bell pepper and saute, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. 

Add the ground turkey and stir until the meat turns white and begins to color very slightly around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the herbes de Provence and stir, 1 minute. Add 4 cups broth, tomatoes and rice. Bring to a boil. (Note 3) 

Stir in the kale and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and the freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. 

Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with parsley and Parmesan, if using, and serve.