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Fresh Fridays
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Fresh Fridays, January 12

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope Jan 11, 2024

Happy Friday, dear ones!!

I have “gotten the lead out,” as my parents used to say! Funny side note: I had a great Uncle Lead (not his real name), but he was nick-named that because of the sentiment! 🙂 And carried it (with pride, I think) his whole life!

I hope you are well; it seems someone I know is sick with a cold or flu everywhere I turn. UGH! Read on for my tips and tricks to combat the crud!

Today’s newsletter is full of yummy recipes, immune-boosting tips, my favorite chilly weather finds, and, as always, a little encouragement.

Be sure to use the Table of Contents below to discover what interests you most.

Fresh Fridays Logo new 2022.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.
  • What I'm Making' & Bakin' | 3 New Recipes
  • What Readers Are Saying about…
    • Italian Stromboli
  • In the here and now | Real-life stories
  • My cold and flu care
  • What Caught My Eye | Sales and Deals
    • Comfort, Snuggles, Warmth
  • Browse my Amazon Storefront
  • Weekly Inspiration | Rediscovery

???? Save this recipe for the future ????

Click the heart ???? symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your screen (while on the recipe), and it will be saved to your own private recipe box!

What I’m Making’ & Bakin’ | 3 New Recipes

I’ve gotten this beautiful, crunchy apple coleslaw recipe on the blog – perfect with BBQ Pork sliders, these pulled chicken sliders or any BBQ dish!

Save these sausage and cream cheese stuffed mushrooms for your next game day party or as part of a fun finger food dinner!

And don’t shoot me, but yes, I’m already starting on Valentine’s day recipes. And these red velvet cake pops are the best!

A full bowl of coleslaw includes neat apple slices on side.

Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe 

This easy crunchy Apple Coleslaw is made with simple, fresh ingredients and only takes a few minutes to toss together!

Delicious by itself, add some protein or serve on your favorite BBQ sandwich or slider.

Read more
Fluffy, gooey cheese and sausage topping sits on a stuffed mushroom.

Easy Sausage and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Got 30 minutes to make a WOW appetizer with simple ingredients? These Sausage and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms are low-carb, gluten-free, and taste amazing!

Read more
Cupcake liners hold sprinkled cake pops with one showing the inside.

Easy Red Velvet Cake Pops Recipe (Valentine’s Truffles)

The perfect recipe for the red velvet lovers in your life!

Red Velvet Cake Pops are moist and perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or anytime! A quick recipe made with red velvet cake mix, mixed with cream cheese and dipped in creamy white chocolate. 

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Rate the Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love it when you try my recipes, rate them, and share your thoughts! It really helps others and boosts the recipe’s visibility. I so appreciate you!

What Readers Are Saying about…

Italian Stromboli

Hand dipping slice of stromboli into marinara dipping sauce.

This is excellent! Great recipe that was easy to follow. It turned out great and is very yummy. I think the capicola really makes it, so don’t scrimp or skip it. I did add a thin layer of pizza sauce, as well. Excellent!!

Jeanne
Yes, I want THE recipe!

In the here and now | Real-life stories

Well, we are once again empty nesters. Our oldest drove back for his final college semester on Saturday and our youngest back on Monday — then my husband left for a business trip. But by the time you read this, he’ll be back! YAY!

The house has been very quiet! Too quiet! But I have been able to get a lot done! I took down our Christmas tree and put away most of our Christmas decor – which always makes me a little sad. I keep my winter greens up for the season; it’s really too early for tulips, you know!

I’ve enjoyed long walks in frigid weather, but it’s been so beautiful!

Since I have had more time on my hands, it’s been nose to the grindstone – so I am sitting here enjoying a small piece of Hu Chocolate (have you tried it? Amazing, no refined sugar!!) while I write this newsletter to you!

View of an icy river flowing over rocks.
It was 16° on this frosty morning!

My cold and flu care

I should start with a caveat that I am not a doctor, nor has anyone sanctioned this; this is good old “woman’s intuition” and mama’s tried and true immune boosters.

When someone in our family starts to get sick, here is what I typically do!

  • First off, rest is the biggie! Early to bed and stay in bed longer; naps are ENCOURAGED!
  • Second, we all know this: FLUIDS! I like herbal teas; the warmth helps break up congestion and mucus. We love this Medicine Ball tea (aka sore throat tea), but I also love using Traditional Medicinals tea. I usually use two types, like this Cold Care and this Immune Zoom (they have it with Elderberry Echinacea too!
    • Fill up a large mug halfway with just boiled water, add your two tea bags, plate a plate on top, and steep for 10-15 minutes! << This is important! Then, after it has steeped, squeeze in half a lemon, add 1-3 tablespoons of honey (depending on how sweet you like it), then add the rest of the boiled water. Give it all a good stir, hold it in both hands, snuggle into a comfy couch or chair, breathe in the warmth and sip. If it’s towards the evening, I sometimes put in an ounce of brandy or whiskey (for the adults that is). 😉
  • Elderberry Syrup | It’s so easy to make! Follow my easy recipe! I double the amount when someone is fighting off a cold.
  • Vitamins | Yup! I start 1000 mg of Vitamin C (I love this one) every few hours; your body will flush out anything it doesn’t need. Along with my regular vitamins, I increase my D3 to 10,000 iu each day.
  • Right before bed, I make this Golden Milk Turmeric Tea, which helps you sleep plus provides immune-boosting properties!
  • Chicken Soup, Beef Bone Broth, Vegetable Broth | Take your pick; there really is something so nutrient-dense, immune-boosting, and healing about broths! Try my chicken noodle soup (it’s not fussy and ready in about 30 minutes). And if you have never made beef bone broth, it’s like nothing you buy at the store! Rich and full of collagen and other nutrients, perfect for sipping! And my magic mineral broth (vegetable broth) is the same! Read below what a reader shared about this broth.
  • Prayer | Lift a simple prayer to our God! Try this: Heal my body from this sickness. Oh Christ, My Healer. Be gracious. Give rest. (from Every Moment Holy)

I have cancer. I wasn’t able to eat any foods for almost a year. I had to live on a nutrition drink. I couldn’t get enough nutrition and I had food aversions. I couldn’t stand the smell or look of most foods. After I started drinking the broth for 16 days, I was able to start eating again. I still can’t eat everything…

Kathleen Anders ~ Vegetable Mineral Broth
Hands holding beef broth in a mug.
A warm, rich cup of beef bone broth.

What Caught My Eye | Sales and Deals

Check out the below items HERE! Plus, previous week’s finds!

Comfort, Snuggles, Warmth

Here are a few things to cozy up with if you are not feeling well.

  • This chunky, cozy knit blanket is 50% off, or you can go with the much more expensive version!
  • Warm up your hot water fast in this cute electric kettle.
  • Snuggle up with a warm cup of sore throat tea in this cute heart mug.
  • I love this warm split-hem turtleneck!
  • And you can look cute and be comfy in this sweater knit lounge set (20% off!)
  • Stay warm with this long puffer vest (10% coupon) or this one a friend of mine has, love the side zippers.

Browse my Amazon Storefront

Weekly Inspiration | Rediscovery

I got the sweetest note from a reader, and with her permission, I am sharing her word and what she shared about it; I thought you would be encouraged, too!

My word for 2024 is “Rediscovery”. It came to me when attending a new church this past Sunday. My rediscovery begins with putting God back into first place. (“Rediscovering Gods Word is Essential for Reform”)
Second is to rediscover life with my guy, he retires today. We’ve had a good time raising our 3 amazing daughters and now enjoy time with our 3 grandkids. Life events have kept me very busy, always doing for others. I hope to rediscover the joys of life, slow down to savor the moments instead of rushing through them. I hope to rediscover the passion I have for my husband, not in the same way it was at the beginning 40ish years ago, not who we were in the middle when life was crazy busy, but I hope to continually grow our love, explore and travel and discover the older version of us together.

Vicki

Isn’t that beautiful? I just love it! And in case you missed it last week, this is something I posted for the year!

2024 Goals.
These are “words” I want to try and live by this year!

Gotta run and finish shooting a new crockpot recipe for you! You are going to love it! Did you know January is National Crockpot Month!? Check out all of my crockpot recipes! I’ve got some great ones coming in the next few weeks!

signature, Love, Kathleen


P.S. If you missed last week’s Fresh Fridays, recipes, sales, tips, ideas, and more!

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Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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Kathleen Pope

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Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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