With any purchase, whether it’s an item, a concert, a trip or even a meal at a restaurant, I examine the value first, then decide whether it warrants paying the asking price. We have all heard debates on the cost, i.e., COSTMARY, of things. Usually we hear the phrase, “I would never spend that much.”
Using COSTMARY as the next TOPS Spice of Life reminds me that people debate the price of things because what I value may be different from what you value. My wife sees immense value in taking a cruise — not me. I would rather spend the COSTMARY in the Smoky Mountains.
I will not spend much THYME worrying about how people feel about how I choose to spend, because I can control most of it. However, when it comes to healthcare, some BASIL treatments or prescriptions come with a high COSTMARY. Early intervention usually will have a lower COSTMARY.
Nonetheless, a healthier me is terrific value. Luckily, I found TOPS while there was still THYME to turn things around. So, if I had been asked what COSTMARY I would be willing to pay to be healthier, my flip answer would be, “The sky is the limit,” because I want to enjoy life and smell the LAVENDER.
A good amount of SAGE is important as I weigh COSTMARY and value. I quickly found that it is less expensive to be proactive than reactive. Buying clothes in a smaller size and eliminating most prescription drugs has saved quite a bit of money. It is a PAPARIKA moment, but I should have known the logic during my pre-TOPS life. The money I saved is more than my COSTMARY of being a TOPS member, and the value is priceless.
The issue of what COSTMARY is the right annual fee to join TOPS is a discussion for another day. Yet, if a healthy lifestyle and the ability to continue a journey of longevity are deemed to have excellent value, what is a fair COSTMARY? I fully acknowledge that some can pay a higher COSTMARY than others. I encourage donating time, talents and money to help others with affordability.
The answer lies in our LOVAGE of life. In life, as in weight management, the things with a high COSTMARY are not always the ones that provide the greatest value. We can spend money on diets, THYME counting calories and effort changing our habits. But the real value comes from improved health, greater confidence and the satisfaction of reaching our goals.
After all, the greatest things in life may cost us something, but their value can be priceless. Do not judge something by what the COSTMARY is — judge it by what it gives back!
The next spice from the rack is GARLIC, finally a spice you don’t need to use sparingly.
Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita): Costmary’s balsam herb, Bible leaf, alecost or mint geranium, is an aromatic perennial herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It has been cultivated in Europe for centuries, particularly as a culinary and medicinal herb.
Costmary has a distinctive fragrance often described as being minty, balsamic and camphor-like. It is sweet and resinous with hints of peppermint and eucalyptus. The flavor is stronger and more unusual than ordinary mint, so it is used sparingly.
Culinary uses range from flavoring ale (alecost) and beer, salads, soups, stews, fruit dishes, desserts, teas, vinegars and other flavored beverages.
Historical medicinal uses date back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, when it was used to treat various ailments. However, these uses were based on traditional practices rather than well-established medical evidence. Concentrated preparations may pose safety risks.
One of its most interesting historical names is “Bible leaf.” People sometimes placed the leaves between the pages of Bibles or other books so that handling the books would release their pleasant fragrance.
