What did the trick?

Late last week, I developed a cold, a miserable cold. 

Normally my colds last almost two weeks. This one lasted five days.

What made the difference?

I don't know. There were two things I did differently.

• I took Vitamin C and zinc
• I also took baking soda

I'd read about baking soda on the Internet, and yes, yes I know you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.

"This advice comes an Arm&Hammer Co. published an article in 1925 about using sodium bicarbonate as a remedy for colds and flu. They recommended the following dosage:

"*Day 1 -- Take six doses of ½ teaspoon of baking soda in glass of cool water, at about two hour intervals.

"*Day 2 -- Take four doses of ½ teaspoon of baking soda in glass of cool water, at the same intervals.

"*Day 3 -- Take two doses of ½ teaspoon of baking soda in glass of cool water morning and evening, and thereafter ½ teaspoon in glass of cool water each morning until cold symptoms are gone.

"According to Arm&Hammer’s dosing instructions, do not exceed seven doses of ½ teaspoon per day, or three doses of ½ teaspoon daily if you’re over the age of 60. In addition, do not use the maximum dosage for more than two weeks.

"I found this interesting because it make sense! Having your bodies ph balanced has many benefits and since baking soda is alkaline it would neutralize any acidity. Has anyone tried this?

"PS: This is not for people on a salt restricted diet!"

Which worked?

Did either?

I really don't know. I just know it was the shortest cold I've ever had.

I am not recommending it. All I know I'll try it again next cold.

Doing errands on Halloween in a city I love

We needed to buy train tickets for Argelès, paper, chocolates in downtown Geneva today.

What a pleasure just walking through the streets seeing pretty sights.

We also mentioned to have a great breakfast at the Settler tearoom with fresh squeezed, cucumber, apple and mint juice and later lunch at the Spaghetti Factory in the old town.

Some adults were dressed in costume, the weather, although unseasonably warm, put on its blue sky with what seemed like extra blue.

Nice to have my husband back.

It is Halloween. When I first came to Switzerland it didn't exist and it still doesn't in the same way it does in the States, but not only were these pumpkins pretty, the pumpkin ravioli I had  at lunch was delicious.

Plants in front of a florist. 

The Madeleine Church which is  between the rue du Purgatoire (Purgatory Street), the rue de Toutes Ames (All Soul's Street), the rue de l'Enfer (Hell's street) et rue de la Madeleine (Madeleine Street). Somehow that there is a merry-go-round near by doesn't quite fit with those hell and damnation names.

Calvin's Church that rules over the city still. I often wonder what he would think if he were to come back to life, especially in the summer with the girls half dressed. I'd love to watch someone show him cars, planes and the Internet.

Just a cute store window.

The pastry shops and tea rooms are an anti-diet statement.

Ms are mmmm

You've heard of 3M? Scotch tape manufacturers? How about 6M.

I realised these last two weeks were filled with culinary Ms. Think of these restaurants we've eaten at.

• Marronier (regular cuisine and pumpkin soup)
• Manana (TexMex)
• Mikado (Japanese)
• Martigny (the hunt)
• Marecottes (brisolée)
• Marc's place near the frontier.

Today we broke the M tradition and ate at the Spaghetti Factory in the old town, but macaroni does start with M.

It was all mm mmm good as the old Campbell Soup advert used to say.