I try not to challenge any doctors' decisions regarding prescribed medicines during times of illness. I'm not a doctor, but I try to rely on my intuition and common sense. Before I go to the pharmacy I use old natural medicines and homemade syrups tried and tested by my mum and grandma. I avoid doctors who give out antibiotics too freely.

I don't dispute the necessity of taking medicine during illness. Even if we believe in natural medicine, sometimes we have to take drugs, as it is the only way to get better. Sometimes we also need dietary supplements, because, at our latitude, especially at the end of winter and beginning of spring, it is difficult for the body, as it has to pull on its reserves and we don't have a chances to get fresh vitamins and microelements. Although supplements aren't an alternative to good nutrition, they do have positive effects.

It is a frightening fact that the drug industry convinces us that "pills are good for everything". Adverts tout pills for joints, liver, muscles, memory... Self-care, diet, exercise and fresh air are put on the back burner. People are inherently lazy, so instead of making an effort they choose the soft option and take a drug. Neither our bodies nor our wallets can stand so many drugs.

My Dear Friends from around the world,

Another year spent together has gone by. Your presence constantly motivates me to be active and write more texts. I hope that you will be with me in the future, and that ahead of us there are many more articles in the virtual world to come.

I wish for you to keep on dreaming and that your dreams will come true, and when they are reality, you will find new dreams. Thanks to dreams our life is more colourful and the world around us easier to accept.

I wish you a new year that will be better than the passing one, the people good and warm, and the world surrounding us will become more predictable and friendly.

I wish the same for myself...

Happy New Year!

You can argue about the relative importance of Christmas and Easter, and you can discuss which festival carries the most meaning, but nobody can deny that in Christian culture there is no day that is as cheerful and beautiful as Christmas Eve. No other day awakens so many feelings in people; it can open even the hardest of hearts and encourage us to share with others.

On this amazing day I would like to wish you health, love and time with family and friends. After a busy day preparing 12 traditional dishes, find the time for rest, conversation and playing with children. Enjoy a moment of respite by the glittery Christmas tree, candles and home-made gingerbread.

Merry Christmas!

The mobile phone. A few years ago it was as big as a brick with a battery like a suitcase and available only for rich people. Now – everyone has one and its functionality has gone way beyond simply calling and sending text messages. It is a gadget without which most of us can't imagine everyday life.

Without a doubt the mobile phone is useful. As a mum I really appreciate being able to get through to my daughter when she is out, provided she hears the ringtone and doesn't have her phone on silent. Thanks to her phone, my daughter keeps in touch with people overseas , which probably wouldn't happen if she didn't have a mobile.

Due to the modern mobile phone, we needn't carry a lot of devices. We have everything in one thing: a phone, computer, camera, watch and the Internet – a window on the world. During difficult moments the mobile phone saves parents' skin and their nerves when they can show a bored child a movie or distract them from a stressful situation. It is impossible to deny the fact that mobile phones have multiple advantages.

I would like to look at mobile phones from another angle. Please remind yourselves what you used to do in your free time with your friends. Boys used to play ball everywhere they could and even in places where it was forbidden. And girls? Most of all we used to talk. In cafés, at home, at school – we constantly talked about everything. The way between home and school took forever. When we got back home we needed to call a friend to share up-to-the-minute reflections. And now - do girls' meetings look like the same? What do the youth of today do during their breaks?

Easter is a time of hope, of Spring waking up for new life; hope for a more peaceful and brighter time, and hope for fulfilling our dreams.

I wish you time with your family at a table rich with food, some time for reflection with a cup of coffee and a piece of mazurek (Polish traditional Easter cake). I wish you sunshine, luck and a bit of courage during the walk on Wet Monday. Relax, enjoy your time with family and friends, without haste, cares or grief.