How To Chase Away The Moody Blues

Feeling depressed? Not in the mood for fun? You are suffering from the "moody blues" syndrome. For some people, the beginning of a week causes the blues. For others it is caused by the end of a wonderful holiday.
　　
What is your remedy for the moody blues? Do you read your favorite book or do you binge on chocolate chip cookies?
　　
Mood Swings
　　
When mood changes rapidly, it's called a mood swing. Everyone can have mood swings from time to time, usually when an outside event triggers their personal emotions, but when mood swings become a regular pattern, then they are said to be suffering from a mood disorder. A mood disorder is given to a group of diagnoses where a disturbance of the person's mood is said to be the main underlying feature.

There are generally two groups of mood disorders that are recognized: the depressive disorders, of which the most widely known is major depression, and the bipolar disorder, formerly known by people as manic depression. The division for the two groups is based on whether the person has experience with a manic (extremely elevated mood) or hypomanic (persistent irritable mood) episode. Of the two groups, mood swing is more identified with bipolar disorder. People who suffer from bipolar disorder often have extreme mood swings usually separated by periods of being in a “normal” mood.

Usually, these episodes are laid out over a regular interval, but in some individuals, states of mania and depression may rapidly alternate, in what is known as rapid cycling. The deep mood swings can last for months, usually causing disturbance along the way. The term bipolar generally refers to the cycling between high and low “poles” of mood. Without treatment, people who suffer from bipolar disorder often go through devastating events in their lives such as job loss, divorce, substance abuse and, in extreme—and sadly, common—cases.
　　
Reading a magazine helps me get out of a funky mood. When I read magazines, I feel like I can get away from the real world. I almost feel like I'm living in another world, where I am super glamorous and very rich. I can't be the only one who feels this way! I especially feel this way when I read Harper's Bazaar, since I know I can't afford anything in that magazine.

Watching my favorite TV shows on Hulu.com brings me so much happiness. Since I don't have time to watch my shows during the week and since I don't have cable or TiVo, I watch almost all of my TV shows on Hulu.com. I love watching shows like Gossip Girl and 90210 because they are so full of drama. My life is pretty drama-free, but I love watching drama unfold. It's like a guilty pleasure of mine. And of course, I watch comedies. They definitely cheer me up. My favorites are Whitney, Up All Night, Modern Family and New Girl.

Cuddling is a sure way to make me happy, on most days. I love to just spend the day in bed (when I have the time) to help me work out my sad feelings. Whether I am cuddling with my blanket or my man, I usually feel much better about whatever has me feeling blue. I also love to light a candle or two when I'm relaxing under the covers. It just brings me more peace.

Drinking hot chocolate or a smoothie, depending on the season, really helps me calm down. I'm not sure why, but I guess it has something to do with the idea that comfort foods (or drinks in this case) really do make you feel better.

Working out lets me focus on the problem and really think things out. Plus, it helps me stay in shape. Pretty cool, huh?

Roasted Eggplant Tastes Great

This roasted eggplant and feta dip gets a kick from a fresh chile pepper and cayenne pepper. There are countless variations on this classic meze (appetizer) in Greece. Out-of-season eggplant or eggplant that has been heavily watered often has an abundance of seeds, which make the vegetable bitter. Be sure to taste the dip before you serve it; if it's a touch bitter, you can remedy that with a little sugar. Serve with toasted pita crisps or as a sandwich spread.
　　
INGREDIENTS
　　
1 medium eggplant, (about 1 pound)
　　
2 tablespoons lemon juice
　　
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
　　
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, preferably Greek
　　
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
　　
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
　　
1 small chile pepper, such as jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
　　
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
　　
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
　　
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
　　
1/4 teaspoon salt
　　
Pinch of sugar, (optional)
　　

PREPARATION
　　
Position oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source; preheat broiler.
　　
Line a baking pan with foil. Place eggplant in the pan and poke a few holes all over it to vent steam. Broil the eggplant, turning with tongs every 5 minutes, until the skin is charred and a knife inserted into the dense flesh near the stem goes in easily, 14 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board until cool enough to handle.
　　
Put lemon juice in a medium bowl. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and scrape the flesh into the bowl, tossing with the lemon juice to help prevent discoloring. Add oil and stir with a fork until the oil is absorbed. (It should be a little chunky.) Stir in feta, onion, bell pepper, chile pepper (if using), basil, parsley, cayenne and salt. Taste and add sugar if needed.