Family, Friends and Fun

I really should make this more than one post...maybe I'll do a continued one later. The fact is, I've been having so much of these three things, I haven't had time to get on here and write about them! But I do think they're important to living a good and healthy lifestyle.

Frankly, I think all of these three things are under-rated. Oh I know psychologists talk about having a good support system and everyone says that laughter is the best medicine, but how many people really believe that? Do you believe it?

I certainly believe it's true. And what's more important, I think you can create your family. Yeah, that sounds a little weird, but while you can't choose the family you were born into, you can choose to separate yourself from members who are abusive and/or harm you through their relationship with you. At the same time, you can choose to include people in your family (by involving them in activities, treating them like family, etc.) who add good things to your life and whom you enjoy having around. We had an experience similar to the latter just this past week.

In short, I think one of the most important things to do is create connections that are beneficial to both parties (not in a parasitical way, but in a genuinely loving, caring way). Sadly, there are times when it is also important to cut connections -- while it's never good to burn bridges, sometimes it is necessary to diminish or even cease contact. And since most of us don't have the perfect family, I sincerely hope you have the opportunity to "recreate your family" today!

Garlic Season

Well, two seasons have just begun: Fall and the flu season! Which is why I'd like to recommend that people start another season -- the garlic season! In case you haven't heard, garlic is one of the all-time best ways to avoid being sick. Don't believe me? Just try it!

Garlic has had a long and colorful history for such a plain-looking little herb, but a lot of folks still don't really appreciate it. But garlic has an extraordinary ability for keeping germs and other "sick bugs" away...and I don't mean by hanging it around your neck! :-)

In our house, we take garlic tablets, pour garlic into food we're cooking, and then sprinkle garlic powder onto food while we're eating it! Just about everything except chocolate and ice cream has garlic in it. And no, I'm not kidding, either. :-) My mom has a kind of tea she concocts with garlic and cayenne in it -- quite frankly, I don't think anything could survive it, let alone a humble germ! ;-)

All literary hyperbole aside, however, let's face the facts: My mom also hardly ever gets sick. Furthermore, I can vouch for the fact that a sore throat will take a hike if you suck on a clove of raw garlic. Does it taste bad? Not that bad, and it's definitely better than getting really sick. (Just don't suck on it past when it starts to burn; at that point, you need to trash it and get a fresh one.)

So the next time you start feeling like you might be coming down with something, grab some trusty garlic...and it wouldn't hurt a bit to go on and grab some now -- it's great prevention!

As I was saying...

Well, last week sort of collapsed on me and I didn't get anything written. Nor could I think of anything to write just now, until I remember that I had mentioned Ramen noodles in a previous post. I thought now would be a good time to write about them. :-)

One thing I will say about Ramen noodles is that it's best to get the right brand. Top Ramen is the brand name of the ones we get...and they are good! We got the wrong brand recently and they just didn't taste right. The noodles were too tough and the seasoning was too salty.

Speaking of seasoning, Ramen noodles come with that little packet of seasoning -- we always get the Oriental flavored ones because they're vegetarian -- but you can put your own in instead. We frequently use McKay's beef or chicken seasoning (which is also vegetarian).

If you want something quick, easy, and (usually) hot, Ramen noodles are the best way to go. They're good for you, they taste good even when you're sick, and anyone can fix them -- even me! I have a friend that does movie nights with me every week or two and we almost always have Ramen noodles. I know another friend that was in college and someone gave him a case of Ramen noodles as a Christmas present because he practically lived off of Ramen noodles while he was in school. I hope you've had Ramen noodles too and if not, I highly recommend you try them. :-)