I like lists #3: The Sick List

When I’m under the weather, being under the covers puts me over the moon—sleeping tight, through the night til morning light and then some. Honestly, if I could fall asleep at the first hint that I may be coming down with something, I wouldn’t get up until it was over. (Is it alright to do this many prepositions so soon? Eh, give me a break, I’m sick.). Inspired by this week’s bout with Strep throat, I thought I might make a list of my favorite things that bring me comfort and joy through the miserable time of cold and flu. Sleep is, bar none, my number one—however, I’m going to try to keep the list to consumables. Enjoy.

1. “Magic Potion”—No, this isn’t something I lifted out of a Half-Blood Prince cookbook, this is a concoction I discovered sometime about a year ago whence last I battled with ye old cold season. It consists of the following ingredients (boil these):
• 2 cups water
• 4 chunks fresh ginger
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 tablespoons of honey
• ½ fresh lemon
• 6 cloves

If you boil the ginger for a while first and then throw the other stuff in as you turn off the heat, it probably works best. Then strain and serve. It melts the mucous, soothes the sore throat and makes me feel warm all over—a shot of whiskey thrown in there helps too.

2. Jersey Sheets—Maybe it’s because I grew up there, maybe it’s because I’m a t-shirt & jeans gal at heart, or maybe it’s because the big baby in me just wants to be wrapped in something super-soft and comforting in my pathetic time of need. In any case, nothing beats these sheets when you need to be held by something that won’t catch your illness and make you feel guilty a week from now.


3. Zicam Rapid Melts—I’m not even sure what these things do, but they’re organgie goodness melts on your tongue and somehow convinces you that you’re shortening the lifespan of your cold.


4. Duane Reade—for those who don’t live in Manhattan, my sincerest condolences. This is the most magical place on earth as far as I’m concerned. The new, souped-up DR’s have everything from a make-up counter to a grocery store. In fact, the new one on 17th Street has—wait for it: A DOCTOR’S OFFICE. That’s right, I popped in yesterday and got a strep test. In 10 minutes I was in and out with my prescription in hand. I love one-stop shopping. Thank you Duane, thank you Reade. Thank you for coming together to create the greatest store for all my sickly needs.


5. Love—Okay, I know I said I would stick to consumables, but I’m a needy bitch when I’m sick. I need hugs and kisses and I need someone to comfort me, play with my hair, and just veg with me when I’m not feelin’ so hot. Being sick when you live alone is quite awful; but I have to say, my first bout of sickness with my live-in nursemaid is turning out to be rather pleasant…for me at least.