Last week, I discussed my quirky food duos. In the post, I mentioned that I regularly drop an ice cube or two into a cup of soup before I eat it. I do this to cool it down because I love soup way too much to burn my tongue and develop a negative connotation.

How far does my enjoyment of soup go? Believe it or not, I once went on a diet that consisted of Campbell’s Chunky Soup (it worked!). So, because I mentioned soup last week and because I have shockingly never counted down my favorite soup varieties before, I thought I would do that tonight.

Honorable Mention: Italian Wedding – I will never turn down a cup of Italian wedding soup. Not only do you get to scarf down mini meatballs, but you also get a complete serving of your green vegetables as well. Add pasta to it and you have a soup with much going on. Out of all the soups on this list, it is probably the one that I have the opportunity to eat the least so I think it just makes it that much better when I do actually get to enjoy some.

5. Clam Chowder – As someone who doesn’t get too excited about seafood, you might be shocked that I included clam chowder on my list. However, I grew up on it. My family’s (mom’s side) Italian restaurant, the Pastime Café, served clam chowder on Fridays. Because we would make our trips to Walla Walla at the start of the weekend and because we would always drop in for dinner at the Pastime when we arrived in town, I was offered clam chowder a lot during my younger years. I ate it every single time. As I grew older and the Pastime shut its doors, I still ordered clam chowder at other restaurants. Although not my all-time favorite soup, it is a taste of my childhood and deserves a spot on the countdown.

4. Chili – Calling chili a soup reminds me of the “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” question. I think it straddles the line between a soup and its own separate dish but I am counting it as the former for this blog post. As a guy who loves spicy food and meat, chili is the perfect combination for me. Pairing a big bowl of chili with chips or cornbread is dynamite. I think it is cool that chili can be made so many different ways and that every town seems to host a chili cook off competition. Chicken chili, white chili, even beanless chili – I love it all (except for maybe vegetarian chili).

3. Butternut Squash Soup – Flavor flavor flavor! While the other soups on this list have a chunky texture because meats, veggies, and pasta comprise them, butternut squash soup is known for its smoothness. You aren’t enjoying this soup for its ingredients, you are enjoying it simply for the taste. I love the buttery and rich flavor of this soup. It is the pumpkin pie that is served before the main course. If you have the chance on an October or November brisk evening to enjoy a bowl, make sure you savor every drop.

2. Potato Soup – Nothing says “winter comfort dish” more than potato soup. There is no better way to warm the soul than with a piping hot bowl of potato soup served on a dark, snowy day. Creamy broth and chunks of potato go down easy and taste so good. Potato soup is the one variety on this list that you can confidently serve as a meal itself. Sprinkle a little cheese on the top and you have it made!

1. Pasta Fagioli – For those who don’t know, pasta fagioli is a classic Italian staple. It is basically pasta in soup form. I have told the story before, but my mom had to convince me when I was younger that I liked it by “re-branding” it as Button Soup, a dish in one of my favorite children’s books. But as I grew older, I liked it so much that I finally just started calling it by its actual name. My mom still makes big pots of pasta fagioli and she will jokingly text me and tell me to “come on over and get a bowl.” Although I can’t serve myself some of my mom’s version (a recipe that has been in the family for generations), I always order it when I get the chance at the Olive Garden. If you haven’t tried it, you have no idea what you are missing (make sure to top it with plenty of parmesan cheese!).

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As I said last week, when given the option at a restaurant, I will take a cup of soup over a salad any day! If you have a soup that I need to try, please let me know, I will definitely be down to test it out. Don’t Blink.

From time to time, I always like to offer tips on how newly married couples can grow and thrive during their first year of marriage. Notice how I don’t term it as “advice” but rather simply “tips.” As Sid and I near our second wedding anniversary, I am in no position to offer advice. However, I feel I can bring a couple pointers to the table when it comes to young couples who are embarking on that exciting first year.

My tip tonight is straight forward and simple. It is important to develop routine.

Introduce some structure to your marriage. Officially starting your life off with someone can seem overwhelming. With so many expectations hanging over your heads in that first year, you might ask yourself where do I start? I suggest taking a step back by concentrating on the basics. Instead of stressing over making a big purchase or devising a timeline of when you want to complete milestones, start small. Set a time for the two of you to eat dinner each night; find a show on TV that you both like and can look forward to during the day; loosely plan your lives a month at a time.

Take it from Sid and I, it is good to have simple structre your first year of marriage.

Each Sunday, Sidney and I brainstorm what we will eat each night for dinner that week. We will then go to the supermarket and buy groceries based on those meals. We eat between 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. each night and always sit down with each other and talk about our days. Doing this increases our planning skills and helps us to be disciplined at the grocery store. More importantly, it secures an hour for us each night to unwind and spend quality time together.

With so many television choices these days, both on cable and via streaming devices, it is virtually guaranteed that you can find something that both you and your spouse will like. If Sidney and I, who have dramatically different tastes when it comes to TV, are able to find common ground with a couple programs then you and your sweetheart can too! We watch Jeopardy every weeknight at 7:30 p.m. and there is always one or two weekly shows we make sure not to miss as well. By having a show or two that you can call your own, you set yourself up for not only special time with your loved one but discussion time as well. Although Sid and I might not talk much during “This Is Us,” we surely have an open dialogue about it from the moment it ends at 10 p.m. all the way until 8:59 p.m. the following Tuesday when the next episode is about to start.

It is foolish to plan that entire first year out. However, it makes more sense and is much more manageable to take it a month at a time. In our kitchen, we have a big monthly calendar. At the beginning of each new month, we fill it out with the major events of the next four weeks. Because the calendar is in such a prominent spot, we see it every day and don’t lose track of appointments, birthdays, church functions, or social engagements coming up. Most of the time, I jot down the events that come to my head first. Sid then swoops in and adds hers. Doing this reinforces our family identity and ensures that we don’t forget anything.

Don’t get me wrong, that first year of marriage shouldn’t be all about rigid structure. You need to have some spontaneity as well – take it from us, we had a baby before we celebrated our first wedding anniversary! But that topic is for my marriage-related post. Until then, take time to sit down with your partner and do some basic planning, it will help build the foundation of your young marriage. Don’t Blink.

This morning on the sports talk radio program I was listening to, the host was talking about unlikely/disgusting food combinations that people enjoy. Examples included ketchup and eggs and mayonnaise and Spam (seriously, I almost vomited just typing those combos out…YUCK). I must admit, I have developed some odd food pairs over time as well. Although they might not be as sickening as the ones I heard about this morning, most of them are totally 100% unhealthy.

Here are five of my dynamite food duos…

Butter on Costco muffin – When it comes to Costco, I only purchase a few items. One of these products happens to be its world famous jumbo muffins. However, eating a calorie-ridden chocolate, poppy seed, or banana nut muffin isn’t enough for me. Did someone say butter?

Besides family members, I don’t think I have met anyone else who will cut open a Costco muffin, spread butter on the inside, and pop it in the microwave for a few seconds. Totally unnecessary but totally delicious.

Me with some frozen Apple Crumb Costco muffins.

Ice in soup – I love soup. I grew up eating it and to this day I will always opt for a cup of soup over a salad when given the option at a restaurant. But while I am not sensitive to hotness in a spicy sense, I am senstive to hotness in a temperature sense. To me, nothing is worse than burning your tongue. It ruins everything…even a delicious bowl of soup. So, to prevent against this, I always drop an ice cube or two into my bowl. In my mind, a lukewarm soup is better than a piping hot soup. I understand it might look tacky scooping a piece of ice out of your water glass and dropping it into your soup bowl but it is a breach of etiquette I am willing to perform.

Half-And-Half in cereal – My mom taught me this trick. As I have mentioned before, we didn’t always have access to sugary cereals growing up. Thus, my mom simulated a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch by using regular Cheerios. Not only would she sprinkle some pure sugar on top of the Cheerios, she would substitute half-and-half for the milk. I can’t tell you how rich and heavenly it would make a “healthy” cereal taste. As I got older I would sometimes even add half-and-half to my Waffle Crisp or Reese’s Puffs, making my “breakfast” a legitimate dessert.

Hot sauce on hot dog– Several years ago while at a dive bar in Las Vegas, I ordered a $1 hot dog. Sitting at the bar by myself like a loser, I asked the bartender for a hot sauce packet. She watched in disbelief as I opened the packet and streamed the sauce down the hot dog.

“You put hot sauce on your hot dog?” she exclaimed.

Um, yes, I do. At the time I had no idea that someone would think that was weird. Come to think of it, I still don’t know why anyone would think it is weird. I don’t do ketchup or mustard so hot sauce is the logical condiment to put on a hot dog for me. Am I really that crazy?

If I have a plain hot dog and hot sauce is within reach, I am going to use it (I also like chili and cheese on my hot dog as well).

Parmesan cheese on…everything – I used to add Sriracha to everything but those days have passed. My new “condiment” of choice is parmesan cheese. I blame this one on my wife. She LOVES parmesan cheese (she calls it “shake cheese”) and has the tendency to buy the jumbo bottles. Not that her tastebuds are out of whack because I agree with her, parmesan cheese is great. These days, it is a staple at our dinner table. I don’t just douse my pasta in it – I pour it over deli sandwiches, Hamburger Helper, steak, and more. It is the perfect topping to any dish!

The Reser household loves parmesan cheese!

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That’s all I got regarding my odd food pairs. If you have never tried half-and-half in your cereal before, I recommend you give it a try. Eccentric food combos can be fun, just as long as no mayonnaise is involved. Don’t Blink.