The change of seasons around these parts brings such a lovely burst of warm colors that it’s been hard not to wax poetic. Well, at least I’ve been aspiring to something faintly reminiscent of poetic. I can’t help it. There truly is nothing as awe-inspiring as when nature decides to show off a little.

As much as this time of the year fills me with sentiment and appreciation for the beauty all around me, there’s one thing I don’t welcome: the cold. I don’t mean the dropping ambient temperatures; I mean the cold, as in that annoying thing that makes you sneeze, sniffle, rub your eyes and ache all over.

They say there’s no real cure for the common cold, but I prefer to be more optimistic. I prefer to believe there are some ways to ward it off, or at least alleviate its symptoms. So before we get too deep into cold and flu season, let’s prepare as best we can! Tell us:

Do you have any home remedies to help fight off the common cold?

A popular remedy is chicken soup, and if you give me a bowl of chicken soup in the form of the Simple Wonton Soup above, I’ll love you forever. Nanci’s mom swears by gargling with saltwater, which is also great for relieving a sore (or itchy) throat. My husband likes to give me a dose of warm lemon juice (from half a lemon), honey, salt, and a shot of brandy. He gives it to me in a shotglass, and down the hatch it goes. He says all those ingredients are natural antiseptics, but between you and me, I think he does that because the brandy puts me to sleep. Not that I’m complaining.

Now let’s hear from you! Shout out your favorite homespun cold remedy below and save me from having to explain all the empty brandy bottles in my recycling bin.

We love Homemade Ingredients here at Tasty Kitchen. Love. Not only because you have full control over what goes into your food but also because the flavors you get blow store-bought versions out the water. Plus there’s the street cred. Oh, the street cred.

We’ve had a few favorites here at the TK Blog. Like the homemade tortillas you see above. Or refried beans to go with those tortillas. Or impress everyone with homemade ricotta. Be prepared for the double takes and Elaine Benes-esqe “Shut up!” shoves when you tell them you make your own anything.

Homemade creations also gives us reason to buy more Mason jars. Because you really can never have too many Mason jars.

We’re always on the lookout for more ways to make stuff at home, so this is where you come in! Tell us:

What ingredients do you like to make at home?

I like making the basic condiments at home. I have a shelf of homemade mayo, mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce in my fridge. When friends see that, they first blink in disbelief and then they swoon. I think they do it to humor me, but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve also been making my own Greek yogurt for years now and wish I did it more often.

How about you? Do you make some on a fairly regular basis? Or less than you wish you could? Or maybe you’re looking for a homemade version of a favorite item. Whatever it is, let us know!

Last week we were all about packing food for flying, and you had some great comments and suggestions to share. As promised, this week we’ll talk about packing food for road trips. (Road trip, yeah! Ahem. Sorry—I love road trips.)

Road trips are fun. You play games, stop whenever and wherever you want, sing at the top of your voice, recline your seat as much as you want, and you can pack drinks and jellies and never have to worry about making sure they fit in a single quart-size baggie. Plus you get to remove your shoes and your belt because you want to, not because you have to.

I know many will be on the road next week, so let’s talk about road trips already, shall we?

What are your favorite tips for packing food for road trips?

We like packing homemade empanadas or other hand pies for road trips. I’ll make both savory and sweet versions, and sometimes a combination of both, like cheese and a small amount of figs or jelly. And of course, nuts and chips for when an attack of the crunchies hits. We also pack a cooler for drinks and make sure there’s extra space for any unexpected treats we may want to purchase while on the road.

We know you have your favorites too, so tell us all about them! While you’re at it, do you also have any cool games or activities to make the time go faster and the trip more fun? Any favorite road tripping memories? We want to hear them all, so come share below!