Five Things I Did Today That Were Good For Me

1.) As part of Christmas, I received a generous gift card to a fancy kitchen store.  I went there today to find ICE CREAM MAKERS are on sale.  Even though I had enough gift credit to buy FOUR (4!) of them, I did not buy a single ice cream maker.

2.) Not only did I work out, I actually cooled down properly and stretched after working out.

3.) My dinner was at least 2/3 fresh produce – the rest (in order by proportion) was egg, feta, and seasoning.  (I made myself a glorious salad.)

4.) I remembered to put on my sunscreen-included moisturizer this morning.

5.) My biggest meal of the day actually WAS breakfast.

Five Good Things About Miranda

My Miranda is classier than a Mercedes.

I haven’t done five goods about a proper noun person in almost a month, so it’s clearly time for me to gloat about how great one someone I personally know is. 

1.) Miranda left a corporate job to take a job that’s her passion.  The passion-job is labor-intensive, but she rarely has anything negative to say about it.  She works a lot, but she loves what she does and she’s dang good at it.

2.) Following college, I felt reluctant to join a local athletic team due to its reputation.  Miranda challenged me to form my own opinions (by suggesting me as a substitute when the team needed a sub) which I did.  I loved being a member of that team and will rejoin it when I live in the “right” city.

3.) I trust nobody more than Miranda to cut my hair.  This is pretty big.  Since we live far away from each other, I did have to accept that other people now cut my hair, but they don’t do it very often and it took me a solid nine months (and two flights) to accept that fact. 

4.) Pretty much anything Miranda writes is well-written and enjoyable to read. 

5.) Miranda can be blunt and is always honest.  She is someone who will not lie to me to spare my feelings, but will find a kind way to say things when necessary and is a kind person, so it’s okay to hear things like “wear deodorant” from her.  (NB: I do actually wear deodorant and we never had a “You Smell” conversation, although she would instigate one if I did smell, which I really appreciate.)

Five Good Things About Garlic

sauté with olive oil and...pretty much any veg

1.) Garlic wards off vampires, including Dracula.  This is a valid concern of mine – circa 1984.  (Now I want to know if it will ward off Twilight fans.)

2.) As stated in the caption, my fallback option for pretty much any green vegetable (e.g., kale, spinach, green beans) is to sauté it in garlic and olive oil.

3.) Health benefits.  I’m no kind of doctor (i.e. not medical advice) but garlic is supposed to protect against cancer, heart disease, and scurvy; as well as fighting colds.

4.) Dude.  There’s a garlic festival!  It’s annual and in California – that’s totally legit!  It’s probably family friendly and not boring.

5.) It is available year-round and lasts for a long time, even in the tundra.

Five Good Things About Hops

hops: a key ingredient in beer

 

1.) Hops possess some antibacterial qualities.

2.) Hops make beer worth drinking.

3.) Hops also have some folk/herbal medicinal uses, commonly being employed to relieve sleeplessness, anxiety, and restlessness…sort of like beer?

4.) Hop farming is labor intensive.  Labor intensive = jobs!

5.) Apparently, they make a lovely fill for pillows.  I love sleep, so this seems pretty great.

Five Good Things About Driving a Hybrid Car

this spot is near the door

 

1.) Preferential parking.

2.) Pretty good mileage.

3.) Increased popularity with neighbors, due to quiet engine and minimal emissions.

4.) You can confuse people by doing things like putting a Bush-Cheney bumper sticker on it.

5.) Tax credit!

Five Good Things About The Food Network

The Food Network is one of the approximately five channels I watch.  I watch it because it is good and I like it; somethings do not need to be all complicated.  Here are some good things about Food Network:

1.) Some chefs and personalities are kinda cute.

2.) Food Network gives me ideas of things to home cook, both directly (recipes) and indirectly (ideas).

3.) While I have not seen every show and some contestants can be a bit eccentric, there aren’t any real jerks or idiots on Food Network.  Sure, some cooks can be a bit pretentious, but they are consistent and usually based on actual skill. 

4.) It’s safe to watch Food Network before bed, as it’s not likely to cause nightmares.  Similarly, it’s family friendly.

5.) Many of the recipes are also available online at foodnetwork.com .  Yum.

Five Good Things About Fraggles

fraggle siting in "outer space"

1.) Fraggles dance their cares away.

2.) Worries ARE for another day.

3.) They go to a trash heap for advice; good work not judging based on appearances.

4.) Their theme song is pretty rad.

5.) In the words of Jim Henson, “It is a high-energy, raucous musical romp. It’s a lot of silliness. It’s wonderful.”

Five Good Things About Naps

Naps are one of my favorites, and not just because I am good at napping.

1.) A good nap leaves me feeling refreshed.

2.) Napping often leads to increased productivity…once I manage to get out of bed.

3.) It’s a great way to get in touch with one’s inner…cat?

4.) When kidlets nap, their adults get a break and/or a chance to do thrilling things, such as tidy up, eat, or go to the bathroom alone.

5.) Getting enough sleep is vital to staying healthy and not getting crabby.

Five Good Things About Jell-O

1.) It is versatile enough to be used in fruit and veggie Jell-O salads.

2.) You can eat it when on a clear liquid diet.

3.) Well advertised – “J-E-L-L-O!” has a distinct and consistent sound in my head.

4.) Bill Cosby did their commercials for awhile.

5.) Jigglers.

Five Good Things About “Informative” Signs

big hand or small toilet?

1.) Signs do not require a person to read.  For example, the sign above clearly illustrates that I oughtn’t throw an entire container of dental floss into a toilet.

2.) Knowing the local language is irrelevant with a helpful illustrated sign.

3.) Signs can provide a conversation starter.

4.) Signs provide useful information.  This is especially great when knowledgable people are either not present or grumpy.

5.) Whether text, illustrated, or both, signs provide something to look at when an additional task or distraction is appreciated.  I particularly like texty signs as I can use them as starting points for word games.