Magic Mix Soups: Creamy Chicken Noodle and Cheesy Potato and Broccoli

Magic Mix is really pretty versatile stuff.  We've already covered how it makes a fabulous substitute for cream of whatever in a can.  (Actually, I think it's way better, so it's not fair to call it a substitute.  That suggests it's not as good as the original.)  However, you can also just skip the part of making the soup substitute and go straight to making a creamy soup.  And you can do it really quickly.   

Cheesy Potato and Broccoli Soup

1 cup Magic Mix
2 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup sour cream
2-3 baked potatoes, diced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked broccoli
1 teaspoon salt
Garnishes--bacon bits, green onions, additional shredded cheese

Combine Magic Mix and water in saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken.  Stir in remaining ingredients and heat through.  Ladle into soup bowls and garnish, if desired.

Family reviews:  Husband thought it was a bit on the rich side.  I loved it and had seconds.  And I really loved that it was very quick to make.  The kids weren't around to try it.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

8 cups water, divided
3/4 cup Magic Mix
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon
1 pint canned chicken
2 cups sliced fresh carrots (or 1 cup dehydrated + 1 1/2 cups water)
2 cups chopped celery (or 3/4 cup dehydrated + 1 1/2 cups water)
3/4 cup chopped onion (or 3 tablespoons dehydrated + 2/3 cup water)
4 cups uncooked noodles

In a large pot over medium-low, whisk Magic Mix into 2 cups water until smooth, stirring until thickened.  Add remaining water, bouillon, chicken, vegetables, and noodles.  Cook until vegetables are tender.

Links to related posts:
Dry Milk
Magic Mix 
Banana Cream Pie with Magic Mix
Magic Mix Beef Stroganoff and Cheeseburger Mac
Magic Mix Fudgesicles
Coconut Oil for Butter in Magic Mix 

 © 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com

Dietary Deficiencies and Consequences--Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

When society collapses and people begin starving or even just failed to store good food and vitamins, we'll start seeing conditions that occur with vitamin deficiencies.  We've already reviewed pellagra and beriberi, conditions that occur when the body does not receive adequate niacin (vitamin B3) or thiamine (vitamin B1).  Riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency doesn't have a common name; probably because it wasn't common (shocker).  However, riboflavin deficiencies are found in more than half the population of third world countries and refugee camps.  Deficiency is uncommon in the United States due to government regulations requiring the fortification of milled grains and cereals with essential vitamins.  Currently, even with the relatively unhealthy and overly processed diet Americans consume, over 97% of us meet the minimum requirements.

But what happens when the government is no longer in place to make sure processed foods are enriched with riboflavin?  What happens with riboflavin deficiency?

Even mild to moderate riboflavin deficiency may cause anemia.  Severe deficiency, ariboflavinosis (yeah, that was creative), is marked by inflammation of the mouth and lips, sore throat, painful tongue, chapped and cracked lips.  There may also be oily skin rashes on the scrotum or vulva, the little cleft above the lips (anatomically known as the philtrum, learn something new every day), and/or the nasolabial folds ("laugh lines" between the nose and the mouth).  The eyes may become itchy, watery, bloodshot, and light-sensitive.  In pregnancy, riboflavin deficiency may cause congenital heart defects and limb deformities in the fetus. 

Riboflavin is water-soluble, which means the body does not store it; it has to be consumed every day.  Riboflavin is found in milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs; legumes; lean meat, liver, and kidneys; leafy green vegetables, beet greens, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts; winter squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and almonds.

When basic nutritional needs fail to be met, riboflavin deficiency may become something we see in those around us, but it's likely that they'll have other consequences of nutritional deficiency appear first, especially those related to the B vitamins.  However, life is going to get interesting.  We don't know exactly how things are going to unwind, and we especially don't have experience with what happens when a society goes from having a well-fortified healthy diet to scavenging for food.  The vast majority of us have never even seen pictures of people with vitamin deficiencies.  We should probably prepare.

Links to related posts:
Dietary Deficiency and Consequences--Vitamin A
                                                                Vitamin B1
                                                                Vitamin B3
                                                                Vitamin B5, B6, B7
                                                                Vitamin B9
                                                                Vitamin B12
                                                                Vitamin C  
                                                                Vitamin D
                                                                Calcium  
                                                                Iodine  
                                                                Iron
                                                                Magnesium
                                                                Potassium  
                                                                Zinc

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com   

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com