Cup of Inspiration

Pull out the pasta of your choice. Pour on the sauce you love. Don’t forget to top off with plenty of your favorite cheese. Would you like a slice of bread with that? Today we celebrate World Pasta Day.

There are countless ways to prepare the perfect pasta dish. It may include spaghetti, fettuccini, or perhaps even those shells. Would you prefer lasagna noodles? Maybe you would like something completely different and enjoy a bowl of ramen noodles.

Now let’s talk about the sauce. Does your perfect sauce for your perfect pasta dish include tomatoes loaded with a variety of herbs? Do you envision a sauce drenching the noodles or a light covering, just enough to add in some flavor? Do you want to add the cheese into the sauce itself or top it off as a finishing touch to the dish? Perhaps you would prefer a different type of topping, one with spice or perhaps a little bit of sweetness?

There is a perfect pasta dish. However, that perfect pasta dish is determined by the individual. The perfect pasta dish in your imagination most likely will vary from my own. This doesn’t mean that one dish is better than the other. All that matters is that the dish satisfies your craving.

We have all read articles on the best ways to relax. Some may say a stroll outside is just what everyone needs to unwind after a stressful day. While that may very well work for me, that may not necessarily be useful for a person who works outdoors all day and is craving some time in a comfy chair. Some may say a hike in the woods is just the way to escape from the stresses of life. A hike for me, however, may mean lots of insect bites, perhaps a sunburn, making it a not so enviable experience. What is important is to enjoy what works for you. While there may be several similarities from person to person, everyone unwinds in their own unique way.

If you find yourself stressed, it would be helpful to explore different ways to relax. It can certainly be useful to listen to others to get ideas on how to unwind. However, it is important to also remember that these are just ideas; they may not necessarily apply to you. There is nothing wrong with you if a trip to the beach proves to be more stressful than it is worth. There is nothing wrong with you if the idea of getting on an airplane is terrifying and more stressful than the situation from which you’re trying to escape.

I truly enjoy reading different articles about ways to relax. I love reading different pieces on ways to prepare foods which can be enjoyed with family and friends on various holidays. It is enjoyable to try out something new. You will never know if the experience will be beneficial until you try it. While trying these new experiences it is also important to remember that you are you. Do not compare yourself to others. Just as we all learn in different ways, we also relax in various manners. As we approach the end of the year and the holiday festivities that often bring their own set of stress, remember to embrace your method of relaxation. Don’t let a trip cause more anxiety than your job, for example.

Today while you’re enjoying that perfect pasta dish and thinking about everything that needs to be done by the end of the year, make sure you set aside some time for yourself to relax and rejuvenate.

Bon Appetit!