Ok, we all have stuff in our medicine cabinets that need purging. Everything from expired antacids that have crusted up the edges of the screw cap to the antibiotic you only half completed 25 years ago when you got your wisdom teeth out. The time for spring cleaning has arrived and you guessed it: there is a National Day for cleaning out our medicine cabinets, and it's April 21st!

If you still have Mercurochrome (merbromin) in your cabinet, it's WAY past time for you to clean out that cabinet. If you are younger than 30, you probably have never even heard of this bright red tincture our moms would apply to a cut. It was the household antiseptic-of-choice in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. In case you are wondering where it went, October 19, 1998, citing potential for mercury poisoning, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reclassified merbromin from "generally recognized as safe" to "untested," effectively halting its distribution within the United States. 

Responsible medication disposal has changed over the years, so it’s important to follow any disposal instructions on the medication package, which will have the most current recommendations. If there aren’t any, follow the advice above. 

Some pharmacies will accept expired prescriptions for disposal, while others provide mail-back envelopes to send your drugs to other companies that will dispose of them properly. Pharmaceutical manufactures will NOT accept returned medications.

Narcotic or controlled medications in the United States can be returned through a take-back program via mail or designated drop-off locations. This program is offered by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Contact information is provided below.....

Drug Enforcement Administration

8701 Morrissette Drive

Springfield, VA 22152

Phone: 1- 800 - 882-9539

Web Address: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/

Who knew garlic had its own day! April 19th! 

It is one of my favorite root vegetables. It adds flavor to most of my Italian dishes and it also tastes great on its own, baked until soft and spread on crusty Italian bread (as seen below).

Fun Facts About Garlic

*225 million pounds of garlic was produced in the U.S. in 2020

*There are 450 varieties of garlic... here are just a few....

*Garlic is one of the oldest food flavorings that as discovered in ancient times. Archeological records speak that this seasoning plant was used even in Neolithic times, more than 8 thousand years ago.

*Six bulbs of garlic were discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (ruled 1332–1323 BC). They were found perfectly preserved, which shows how important it was in everyday life. (see the artifacts below).

*Garlic was used as a wound antiseptic and cure for infections in both World War I and World War II. 

*100g of garlic will give you 95% of the recommended daily dose of Vitamin B6, 38% of Vitamin C, 80% of Manganese, and 18% of Calcium.  Garlic also contains Vitamins A, fiber, and various amino acids.

*There is literature to support that garlic can be used to treat high cholesterol, coughs, flu, colds, fever, digestive problems, reduce risk of cancer, hypertension, and much, much more....

So the point is, EAT YOUR GARLIC!!!! 

Ciao for now! 

-Xoxo, Lisa.

When your bestie from college has a deep southern Louisiana connection, you are destined to experience these amazing mini lobsters called crawfish (or mud bugs as the locals refer to them as). I have roots close to the Cheasapeake Bay. I grew up casting the crab traps off of my grandmom's pier every summer, so I'm no stranger to crustaceans. I wasn't introduced to the crawfish until I was in college though. They are a lot of work, but they are worth it. And the best part is hanging out with friends in the summer, enjoying a cold beer, listening to great music, and eating amazing food! 

As they do in the south..... a giant pot of boiling water, cajon seasonings (always Zatarain's), and whatever else you want to throw in the pot..... 

Traditionally the mix includes corn on the cob, garlic, mushrooms, and potatoes. You can squeeze lemon or melt butter for dipping, or they are spicy delicious on their own.  A crawfish boil becomes a true celebration, sometimes with summer sangria or an easy drinking beer like Peroni or Stella Artois, gumbo, and jambalaya. I have to confess, I'm lucky to have been a part of these amazing feasts. There's nothing like good food to bring people together! 

So, if you are lucky enough to live somewhere close to a pot of crawfish or know someone who will host one of these feasts, definitely don't miss out on it! 

Happy April 16th!!!

Now you can celebrate National Wear Your PJs to Work Day with National Eggs Benedict Day! 

If you work remotely, then you can do both and enjoy breakfast in bed! :) 

Get your favorite pajamas! 

And Head to the Office! 

Order up some Egg's Benedict, or if your feeling creative, make your own... Here is an Egg-cellent recipe from the NYTimes recipe corner: Eggs Benedict Recipe - NYT Cooking (nytimes.com)

And if you work remotely like me, the above is bound to happen sooner or later! It's called the "Lunch Break Nap"...... 

Ciao for now! 

-Xoxo, Lisa

We LOVE our fur-babies! 

The Working Mom wanted to take a minute to honor the ones in our lives that steal our hearts and love us unconditionally! 

Happy National Pet Day!