HOT SAUCE

It just so happens that Frank's Hot Sauce is not only the best all-around hot sauce, but it is also the best condiment in the world. It compliments practically anything well, with the exception of sweet foods. There are a lot of speciality sauces, and believe me, I've tried dozens and dozens of different sauces, but the best is still the very available and universal Frank's. It is especially good when mixed with butter-based and cream dishes. However, as anyone knows the full-bodied, mild hot sauce is wonderful when used on all meats, breads, vegetables and pretty much everything else. I personally believe it's the combination of a good cayenne pepper and the garlic powder used by the Frank's makers that makes it outstanding.

Speaking of hot sauce, I have been told over and over again by people – both older and younger – that eating too much hot sauce will cause you problems later in life with ulsers and colon this and stomach that. However, oddly enough I have yet to meet anyone who is having such problems from eating too much hot foods or sauce. Now, it does seem to have adverse effects on those who might already have existing stomach or gastrointestinal problems, but for people like me without any current problems ... I believe it may be an entirely different story.

I use hot sauce in nearly every meal I eat. Call me addicted, call me silly, but I have a bottle on my desk at work, one in my car, and a ton in my kitchen. I freakin love the tangy, spicy accent and peppery taste that it adds to my foods – especially the ones derived from cayenne peppers. So, if anyone is a candidate for hot sauce-induced problems, it is I.

No research indicates adverse side effects from pepper overdose. On the contrary, peppers have many medicinal benefits. Heck, it's even been reported that the active chemical that burns your throat can help lower cholesterol, decrease your blood pressure and make breathing easier.

LEMONGRASS LEMONADE

I promise you this is one of the best drinks you will ever have, and it's really easy to make with the exception of squeezing/juicing over a million, billion lemons and limes. The end result however, is worth the effort, for you'll get a super tart, super sweet candy drink that makes you drink more and more until it's all gone.

First of all, you have to find fresh lemongrass stalks, which you may need to get at an Asian market if the grocery store doesn't have any. You can also grow it, as it takes little effort and yields crap loads of your own fresh lemongrass. I grew some a couple years ago, and besides a ton of sun and water, there's nothing else to do... and it doesn't seem to get attacked by bugs either.

Anyway, take your stalks of lemongrass, cut into 1/2-inch to 1-inch pieces and then "bruise" with a blunt object or just the flat side of your biggest knife. Take all of these pieces and the sugar and add to your water in a pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. What you've done here is make a syrup.

After the syrup is done on the stove, put into the fridge for about an hour. In the meantime, you can juice all the stupid lemons and limes (they have to be fresh lemon/lime juice, just not the same if it's fake). You need to make sure you get 2 cups lemon to 3/4 or 1 cup of lime juice.

After about an hour in the fridge, combine the syrup and the fruit juices and drink on super cold ice until your eyes are swimming.