What I LEARNED over winter break- Day 2

Today I'd like to let you in on a secret: one stereotype about Polish people is that they are heavy drinkers (the other stereotype I will not mention, as it's not true...prime example: me.) and although this may be true depending on the person, I am not a heavy drinker.

Occasionally, I indulge in a glass or two of white wine. (Red gives me migraines.) I also appreciate a good mixed drink: preferably with some whipped-creamy goodness on top. But alas, I digress. Lately, I've been consuming on a daily basis. First thing when I wake up in the morning, I take a swig of some 190 proof vodka. And I'm not kidding.

Here's the story:

On Christmas Day, while the LG and I were feasting at my Dad's house, my step-mom, a nurse, looked at our side of the table curiously.

"Why do the two of you keep coughing like that?" she questions.

"What *cough cough* do you mean?" I reply.

" *cough* Yeah, this has been going on for about 5 *cough* weeks now," coughs the LG, "and *cough* we've taken everything to get rid of it. *cough*"

"Have you tried this?" asks my step-mom.

Enter: small bottle of vodka.

"It's 190 proof." says my dad proudly.

"190??" I am shocked.

"Yes." replies my dad. "Take it with lemon and honey, daily, until your cough disappears."

Fast forward a few hours:

The LG and I have returned home from a successful Christmas at my dad's house. With the 190 proof vodka in my hand, I gingerly begin to mix up the concoction.

Recipe:

Equal parts:

Honey

Lemon

190 proof vodka

Hello, there, lemony goodness.

Mix together well. Refrain from gulping down and drinking immediately. With trembling hands, place in container and stick in fridge. Wait for it....then take out the biggest tablespoon in your silverware drawer (or just a regular tablespoon will do, that was just my variation on the recipe) dip into the concoction and slurp it down. Feel the burn. Ahhhhhhh.... Take one more sip, just for good measure (okay, that's just another variation of mine.) Really, one tablespoon should do. Keep in fridge.

And guess what? This works best on an empty stomach. So, take your 190 proof in the morning before eating. That would be best. And that's not another variation. It came right from the nurse herself.

The result?

Your persistent cough will diminish slowly. And that's not a fib. The LG and I are getting healthier and healthier each day. I've also suddenly become a morning person and I can't quite figure out why....