Maybe the grey days were wearing me down? Maybe people are just irritating me that badly. Grumble grumble….

Staying positive is much more difficult than it is seems. I was at a point where I couldn’t decide between “I should be grateful for what I have” and “I am at my rope’s end” with the things I struggled with. I particularly dislike those people that tell other who are feeling a little glum to “buck up” or “look on the bright side!” Clichés are the worst. The cynic in me became awfully loud recently. 

The only place I wanted to be in was my kitchen. Nothing beats when I have the kitchen all to myself with potential recipes to try out and my laptop strategically placed in the cupboard so I can watch Netflix (catching up on New Girl) while I do the inevitably large amount of dishes I seem to use. 

Being in my kitchen to do anything (besides reheating some soup) made me realize I hadn’t done anything except work and school while I prepared for exams. I was just burnt out and in denial about it.  I wanted to be stronger than that and push on through the exhaustion. I couldn’t admit to myself that my body was overworked and what I needed was just R&R. During my (very) short break I decided to wear exclusively panama pants in my apartment, made absolutely zero plans and worked on things that make me happy (this recipe included!). After my break, things have been starting to look up. 

Since it SNOWED already, I wanted a really satisfying and hearty meal. Roasted vegetables are now here for the season. Hooray! Literally the only good thing about winter is roasting raw root vegetables and turning even the most gnarly vegetable into caramelized and concentrated flavour heaven. I am tired of these restaurant ho-hum iceberg lettuce salads. Give me some flavour and substance! I decided on sweet potatoes and beets since they are beautiful colours together and the sweetness of the potatoes and the earthiness of the beets compliment each other so well.

It is ok to admit that you aren’t feeling 100% and to finally get some rest. You aren’t “weak” because you have just had enough and you just need a little break from your routine. Realizing this is a big game changer in my attitude. I don’t have to “do it all” and I will never ever in a million years be perfect and that is just fine by me. 

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 Oh no.

 It is here again.

 The Man-Cold.

Every change of season Mark gets a cold and this season is no different. My 6-foot tall, bass playing, whiskey drinking, straight razor shaving boyfriend suddenly becomes a sniffing, sneezing, whiny baby. It may seem like I am complaining but I am just stating facts here people.

The infamous Man-Cold is when a man shows symptoms of a typical cold but with coping skills and social grace out the window. Mark hogging the whole bed and blankets, a mountain of booger laced tissues on nightstand, video games out and he dresses like The Unabomber in pajama pants and yet I love him enough to make him his favourite “man-cold” drink, a Hot Toddy.

This drink has been served to Mark since he was probably too young to drink but in his Scottish household whiskey is generally the answer for most things. His mother has zero patience for whiners and doesn’t believe in indulging the man-cold. My kind of woman.

Cold medicine makes both he and I weirdly groggy, tired and cranky so we try not to take it. We rely on the old-fashioned methods of hot water bottles, baths with Eucalyptus oil, green smoothies, herbal teas, Neti pots and pajama pants. It isn’t pretty but it does work. I was never a fan of the traditional Hot Toddy, the mixture of hot water, honey, lemon and whiskey never really did it for me. I knew I could make a better one with a little more healing power. Since Mark LOVES apple cider so why not mix the two with a little healing help from ginger, extra lemon and spices? It worked so wonderfully and is Man-Cold Approved! Hooray!

With a Man-Cold gone, everyone is a lot happier except Barb who very much enjoyed the cuddles from a sick Mark. Until Winter…..

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