As the sickness is upon us, and soon to fall (get it? Fall... because that's when kids go back to school and... never mind) into flu season, here is a list of things that have helped me cure my colds. Of course, if you are truly TRULY ill, please go and see a doctor. There are some things this stuff can't fix (like tonsillitis... don't want to go down that road again), but that doesn't mean they can't help a bit.

1. Vernors (or Ginger/Ginger Beverage)

Vernors is considered the Michigan cure-all. Stomach ache? Vernors. Sick? Hot Vernors. If you're not from Michigan, other ginger beverages (yes, it's magic for this reason) or eating ginger itself definitely helps

2. Soup

Let's go back to an old-school bowl of chicken noodle soup or some equivalent that involves broth of some kind.

3. Vick's VapoRub

VapoRub is your Baby. It can help the coughing, open your nasal passage, and soothe overall body pain. (Additional tip: Cats do not care for the smell, so if you have a kitty scratching your furniture, this will get them to cease)

4. Halls Cough Drops

They aren't candy, but they are helpful if you can't catch a break and need some relief. Off-brand cough drops work just as well as the name-brand ones (I love the blue ones with the little dots on them... no idea what they're called).

5. Tea

Tea is made with herbs and flowers and other natural ingredients. Tea utilizes its natural properties to soothe things. I personally suggest Peppermint or some form of Mint tea (it has natural throat helping elements), Chamomile or a Lemon flavor. (There's also a Theraflu tea/cider that you can make - it's disgusting - that knocked me out and made me feel somewhat better)

6. Lotion Tissue (or... just Tissue)

This is more of a preference. I love Puff's Tissue with Vick's and Lotion just because it adds that extra kick for my sense (plus I just love the way they feel on my nose).

7. A Hot Shower

Nothing beats out a hot shower. Open your pores and drain your sinuses for a jolt of pure relief and relaxation.

8. Sleep

You are sick because your body on its own couldn't fight off what attacked your system. When you go to sleep, your body puts in more effort to heal what's going on with you.

9. Cold Medicine (Per Preference)

This could be Theraflu, Tylenol Cold, Advil PM, or what have you, but please make sure that you are indeed caring for yourself. The aches and pains don't always go away by themselves.

10. Pastina

This final cure assister is not one proven by science or really known by people, but I myself and my entire family will swear by it. Pastina is a type of soup of sorts. It can be made with Mrs. Grass Soup (it's in a box in the soup isle at most grocery stores) and Pastina noodles (I can really only find them at Meijer, but other small-like noodles do work). There's something magic about this dish, this soup-like perfection that my grandma has been making me since I was a child. As an adult, I still eat this when I am sick so I highly recommend trying it. It's really easy to make!