Image from www.bn.com

Title: My Sister’s Keeper

Author: Jodi Picoult

Genre: Mainstream / Women’s Fiction

Why My Sister’s Keeper is a Red Hot Read: This book was published in 2005, so this post isn’t breaking news. However, I only read Jodi Picoult about once a year so I’m definitely behind. She’s an author with such a talent for finding and exploiting a riveting premise. This book is about a girl who was intentionally conceived as a genetic match for her sister, who is dying of leukemia, and the girl’s struggle for medical emancipation from her parents. If the premise alone weren’t interesting enough, Picoult is a master at creating deep, unique characters; writing fresh, compelling descriptions and weaving in relevant sub-plots. If you haven’t picked up a Jodi Picoult novel in a while (or ever), I encourage you to give this one a read.

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Today is Tiara Day. Ladies, if you do not own a tiara, get yourself to a party store and buy one. While you’re at it, throw a feather boa into your cart. I was lucky enough to win my tiara at 18 when I was named Miss Hallsville Western Days (please, hold your applause). I’ve tossed a lot of mementos over the years, but my tiara? I might just be buried in it.

As Jill Conner Browne of Sweet Potato Queen fame says: “Buy your own crown and declare yourself Queen.”

That made me think about comfort/sick/hangover food. I figure we all have our preferred foods when we’re feeling under the weather so I wanted to share mine with you:

• Coke (yes, the real thing) and french fries from McDonalds
• Coke and saltine crackers (with the salt. None of those low-sodium things)
• Mashed potatoes
• Mac & cheese
• Biscuits and cream gravy

What about you – what are your go-to foods when you’re feeling puny?

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Today is National Vanilla Pudding Day, which is NOT on my comfort food list. Chocolate, maybe. Vanilla, wouldn’t even make the top 50.

It’s estimated that brushing your teeth only cleans about 65% of the gunk out of your mouth. Ugh, right? And when you’re harboring bacteria in your mouth, you have an increased risk for not only gum disease, but heart disease as well. Some studies have shown that bacteria build-up in the mouth may also thicken arteries. Thus, the heart disease risk.

But how significant is this increased life span? In a Google search, I found anywhere from 1.5 to 6+ years. Think about it, a minute a day to gain, at minimum, a year? Now that’s a deal I’ll take!

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May is National Strawberry Month. I have to confess my California-purchased strawberries haven’t been all that tasty this year yet, but I’m ever hopeful. What’s your favorite strawberry confection? I think I’d have to go with good old strawberry shortcake!

Oh, today is also Pack Rat Day. What are you hoarding that you should get rid of? Toss it!

First, I purchased a James Avery sterling silver collar like the one shown here. You could substitute a chain of some type, but I prefer more structure in my necklaces and like to wear them short.

Photo from www.JamesAvery.com

Then, I take a handful of different pendants to complement my different outfits. I’ve also picked up several as souvenirs while traveling. The pendants fit in a small organza bag and take up very little space. I wear the collar and one pendant on the plane.

From The Canary Islands

From Guthrie, Oklahoma

From Singapore

From my latest trip to Chicago

Voila, complete jewelry box to go!

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Today is National Chocolate Chip Day. You know, chocolate chips are really an all purpose food. You can put them in cookies, brownies, pancakes, muffins, ice cream, cereal or just pop ’em straight into your mouth. So celebrate with a big handful!

Title: The Gifts of Imperfection

Author: Brené Brown, PhD

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help

Why The Gifts of Imperfection is a Red Hot Read: I first learned of Brené (Bre-nay) Brown through my life coach. Brown is a professor at the University of Houston (Texas gal, reason enough to like her right there!) and researcher on the topic of shame. Shame? Why would anyone need to read about how shame impacts her life on a daily basis? You’d be surprised. Brown’s book is compact, but it’s full of real-life examples (some from her), thought-provoking insights and self-reflective questions. Her writing is very down-to-earth, not at all academic speak. After reading this short, powerful book, I bought it for my iPad (originally checked it out through the library) and thought of at least half a dozen people I’d like to send it to.

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Today is Clean Up Your Room Day, and since I doubt your mom nags you about this much anymore, I guess I will. Good news is it’s singular (not Clean Up Your RoomS Day), so you can pick any room you want. How about the foyer?