Home Β» Are you a germaphobe?

Are you a germaphobe?

I didn’t think I was a germaphobe until yesterday.

I was playing hockey yesterday morning and I look next to me on the bench and see a teammate pick-up my water bottle (the one pictures above with “Girls” and a female hockey player on it…) and squeeze water into his mouth. And then he closed the lid of my water bottle with his teeth. I didn’t say anything (besides…awkward!). It was the 3rd period with 7 minutes to go…I could make it without water.

I go out, skate a shift, and return to the bench. Another fellow teammate picks up my water bottle and squeezes water into his mouth. Hm. Gross. Not that that water bottle wasn’t going into the dishwasher anyways, but c’mon people! MY WATER BOTTLE. And um, for how many MONTHS now have people been helping themselves (and their teeth) to MY water bottle!? No wonder I had a cold ALL of last week!!! It’s not that I’m not a good sharer, because I am (and because sharing is caring, right?). Maybe it’s because I witness on a weekly basis these men spitting loogies and snot-rocketing green deposits onto the ground of the rink and onto the ice…and smell their stench of never washed nor left-out-to-dry equipment. Hockey is a not a pleasant-smelling, cleanly sport….but at least I air my equipment out between games?

…And I don’t use other people’s water bottles. ESPECIALLY WITH MY TEETH. Or without asking.

“How rude!” -Michelle Tanner

Regardless of my germ freak out, it was a fun day of hockey. 🙂

And I came home from hockey game #2 to prepare a meal I was very excited about…Coconut Almond Crusted Tilapia, Coconut Lime Rice, and Grilled Pineapple Rings. SOOOO GOOD!

Coconut Almond Crusted Tilapia from Family Fresh Cooking (link no longer available)

1 lb of tilapia filets
1/4 cup unsalted almonds
1/4 cup unsweetened dried coconut flake
pinch of salt & pepper
spray olive oil
fresh or dried Italian parsley
garlic salt, to taste

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375˚F

Line a baking sheet. Combine almonds, coconut and salt & pepper. Pulse in food processor until well combined. It should be the texture of breadcrumbs. Lay tilapia on baking sheet. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Sprinkle nut/coconut mixture on top of each filet. Spray tops of each filet with olive oil.

Bake for about 20 minutes, until top is lightly browned and tilapia is cooked through & flakey. Yield: 4 4-ounce portions.

Nutrition Information (per serving): 175 calories; 8 g. fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 430 mg. sodium; 2.5 g. carbohydrate; 2.8 g. fiber; 25 g. protein

Result: What a fun way to eat tilapia! The almond taste is more distinct than the coconut, but the combination is delightful! I loved the fish, and especially loved how easy it was! 🙂 Thanks, Marla!

Coconut Lime Rice from Southern Living (link no longer available)

1 cup light coconut milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice
1 tsp lime zest
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Directions:

Bring coconut milk, salt, and 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in rice; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 to 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in lime zest and juice. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Information (per serving): 104 calories; 2 g. fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 204 mg. sodium; 19.8 g. carbohydrate; 0.3 g. fiber; 2 g. protein

Result: What a fun side dish to pair with Coconut Almond Crusted Tilapia, no? 😉 This was a subtly sweet coconut-lime rice that would pair well with just about anything. And again, very easy to make! Yum!!

Question: Are you a germaphobe? What food or beverage sharing are you not okay with?

Request: If you have a Q&A question, please send it to me at [email protected]. It’s been a while, but if you have a question, I will get you an answer!

Lily and I are flying solo this week as Mr. Prevention is in Ohio for work. Wish me luck…being a single mommy is hard work 😉 But at least I got to eat my coconutty meal without a complaining coconut-hating husband! 😉

Have a wonderful week,

Share With Your Friends!

43 Comments

  1. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    June 21, 2010 / 5:25 am

    Ha! I’m not a germaphobe either, but yeah, that would gross me out! And piss me off too– who drinks from someone else’s water bottle?!?

  2. Jessica @ How Sweet
    June 21, 2010 / 5:33 am

    I’m not a huge germaphobe, but I HATE sharing silverware and cups with people – even my family!

  3. Corinne
    June 21, 2010 / 5:44 am

    Nop, not a germaphobe, but your scenario would definitely have me thinking twice!!! Your dish looks so yummy! I’m going to try it out…once the move is over and I have a functioning kitchen again lol πŸ˜€

  4. Amy @ Second City Randomness
    June 21, 2010 / 6:12 am

    I believe I would be almost the opposite of a germaphobe. My boss practically bathes in hand sanitizer and I’ve yet to use it once in the office. My boss was sick for almost two weeks last year. I still have yet to use an actual “sick day”. It’s weird…

  5. Food-Fitness-FreshAir
    June 21, 2010 / 6:43 am

    I’m surprised more than one person would just do that! I’d never think of just picking up someone else’s water bottle and drinking it. Then again, I’m a tad of a germaphobe…I HATE being sick.

  6. Lauren @ Eater Not a Runner
    June 21, 2010 / 6:47 am

    That is pretty gross, and I am the opposite of a germophobe!

  7. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    June 21, 2010 / 7:03 am

    Ew, that’s gross. Boys. I’m a total germaphobe and won’t share drinks with anyone–besides my husband sometimes. I’m more grossed out by touching door handles in public, especially rest rooms.

  8. Lee
    June 21, 2010 / 7:18 am

    I’m definitely not a germaphobe, but I’d be grossed out by that too.

  9. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
    June 21, 2010 / 7:52 am

    I’m not a germaphobe by any means, and yet I still think that’s pretty gross!!! And like you said, a bit rude as well! (I totally smiled thinking of Michelle Tanner!) πŸ™‚

  10. homecookedem
    June 21, 2010 / 7:53 am

    I don’t mind sharing my water bottle with my family/friends or even my dog (it’s hard to not want to give her a little when she’s hot and panting on our walks), but I would NOT be ok with a stranger drinking from it, especially if they didn’t even ask. RUDE!!

  11. Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
    June 21, 2010 / 7:57 am

    I am not a germaphobe but that would gross me out too. I share with people I know and that’s about it. How odd?

  12. thebalancebroad
    June 21, 2010 / 8:05 am

    “How rude!” is right! I’m not a germaphobe (really, at all), but I would never drink from someone’s bottle, especially without asking…and especially using my teeth! It’s weird but a lot of germaphobes I know actually seem to be sick quite often…hmmm….

  13. Evan Thomas
    June 21, 2010 / 8:06 am

    I’m totally not a germaphobe. I’m the person who’ll introduce his kids to the chicken pox and dirt and everything. I say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

  14. Jodie
    June 21, 2010 / 8:08 am

    I am a germaphobe. I only share with my husband. That is just gross.

  15. Mo
    June 21, 2010 / 8:31 am

    I am a self-described, not-yet diagnosed mysophobe. My mom actually thinks I’m gonna end up like Howie Mandel and need a separate room in the house where I can go to get away from all the germs. 😐 But it’s not that I’m afraid of only other people’s germs; I make sure to wash my hands so I don’t spread MY germs, too. But yeah, I have a water bottle like this : http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091201 so when someone asks me for a sip of water I just screw off the top and let them drink from the rim instead. And this is going to sound like I’m insane but I purposefully don’t use the ones with the tops like yours does because I’m scared of germs and stuff getting on the mouthpiece with nothing to protect it… yeah. :\

    In other news, the tilapia and rice look wonderful! πŸ™‚

    PS: Thanks for the comment! The hearing aid can’t get fixed ’cause it’s totally burned out, but I have an appointment on Wednesday to pick up/get fitted for my new hearing aid. πŸ˜›

  16. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    June 21, 2010 / 8:39 am

    I’m definitely not a germophobe. That wouldn’t bother me at all if someone closed my water bottle with their teeth.

  17. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
    June 21, 2010 / 8:39 am

    That would’ve grossed me out too!

  18. Brittany @ A Healthy Slice of Life
    June 21, 2010 / 8:50 am

    I would have flipped out! I’m impressed with your restraint πŸ˜‰

    I’m not a huge germaphobe, but swapping spit with strangers in just gross. πŸ˜›

  19. CaSaundra
    June 21, 2010 / 8:59 am

    That is a bit odd that someone would just help themselves, but it’s kind of akward to say something to them–but I am not too big a fan of sharing when it comes to being able to catch sicknesses and such!
    Love the tropical coconut meal–yummy!

  20. biz319
    June 21, 2010 / 9:21 am

    I am not too bad when it comes to germs, but that is just plain gross! Leave it to men though!

    My daughter even has hand sanitizer on her key chain – she’s my germophobe!

    I wish I liked tilapia, it has a strange aftertaste to me. Love the lime rice though!

  21. Samantha @ Food Edu
    June 21, 2010 / 9:51 am

    Oh, that is so inappropriate! I would not be okay with this. I do not share drinks with anyone, not even my fiance. The high school kids are the worst, because they share everything–I will seriously watch 5 to 7 kids share the same drink bottle. I am always on their case about it =)

  22. Karla
    June 21, 2010 / 10:13 am

    I’m not really a germophobe but that would gross me out quite a bit! I’m more grossed out by dirty dishes.

  23. kristin g.
    June 21, 2010 / 10:21 am

    When I travel I put the remote in a ziplock bag because I once read that remotes are one of the dirtiest things in the hotel room… You tell me if I am a germaphobe! πŸ™‚

  24. 'Drea
    June 21, 2010 / 10:29 am

    I’m not down with someone putting their teeth on the little tab on my water bottle. When I went rowing, there was this woman all over the place — in my sunscreen which I didn’t mind but she paid no attention to which water bottle she was picking up which I did mind.

    I was in the hot tub yesterday and there’s a sign asking people not to enter the hot tub after the steam room unless they’ve showered because the sweat creates a unsanitary condition and you just know that everyone is not paying attention to that sign and, in fact, people love to get out of the steam room and go straight to the hot tub or pool. Yeah, that always makes me pause to think a bit. In fact, I know some folks who don’t do public pools…

  25. ashley
    June 21, 2010 / 11:28 am

    Yep, I’m a bit of a germaphobe too. I definitely don’t drink out of the same glass or bottle as someone else – no thanks!

    And I LOVED your little quote from Michelle Tanner – totally made me smile :-).

  26. Tes
    June 21, 2010 / 11:48 am

    80% germaphobe, but that’s really gross!!!
    Owww I love crusted Tilapia, it sounds really yummy! I’m gonna make this!

  27. coffeeismycarrot
    June 21, 2010 / 11:56 am

    I am not a germaphobe per say, but I would not be cool with other mouths on my waterbottle. Ew! I second the “How rude”

    I know couples who will share a toothbrush in a pinch. I love my husband dearly and am always happy for a kiss, but I will run out and buy my own toothbrush if one is forgotten regardless of the time of day or night or if really desperate, use my finger, before I would share a toothbrush even with him. I have a line. Brushing grime off teeth with the same toothbrush crosses it.

  28. Lindsay
    June 21, 2010 / 12:01 pm

    I’m not a germaphobe for the most part. I don’t mind drinking after P or one of my close friends..even though I know it’s a terrible habit. With that being said, it would freak me out if someone else grabbed my water bottle and drank out of it..especially with their teeth. Ewww.

  29. Mari
    June 21, 2010 / 12:33 pm

    Ewww that is nasty! I can imagine their sweat dripping down and drinking your water…no bueno!

    and kudos for sneaking in a Full House quote ha

  30. fitandfortysomething
    June 21, 2010 / 2:08 pm

    i am usually not a germaphobe but sucking on a water bottle is kind of gross!

  31. Mary (A Merry Life)
    June 21, 2010 / 2:10 pm

    I’m not a germaphobe, but sweat and drinking water kinds grosses me out. Ah.

  32. Kara @ MyWellnest
    June 21, 2010 / 2:59 pm

    I would be pretty grossed out with that water bottle situation!!!!!! That’s so cool you play hockey!

  33. Juliana
    June 21, 2010 / 3:37 pm

    I maybe consider myself as germaphobe….therefore I think that’s totally gross…
    The tilapia with with coconut rice looks awesome…great combination!

  34. Faith
    June 21, 2010 / 3:43 pm

    I guess I am a little bit of a germophobe…I don’t think I realized that until just now, lol! I got a little freaked out when you said that someone was touching your water bottle (you never know where somebody else’s hands have been!) but to hear that he drank out of your bottle and then closed it with his teeth! Ugh!

    Thanks for the shout-out for my giveaway! πŸ™‚

  35. Leah @ Why Deprive?
    June 21, 2010 / 5:59 pm

    Well, for starters I should mention I dont like to share. At all. With anyone. I missed that lesson in kindergarten. πŸ™‚

    But I think thats disgusting, you dont drink from someone else’s water bottle. Thats gross. And yes, I am a bit of a germaphobe, but I come by it honestly. My dad has sold cleaning supplies my entire life. He’s done all the reasearch on the spread of bacteria, how clean different surfaces are, all that fun stuff. He of course shares all of it with me. Its awesome for my OCD. lol

  36. Can You Stay for Dinner
    June 22, 2010 / 12:03 am

    Haha, the sharing thing must have been frustrating! I have to admit though, and this will prob gross you out, but I have no problem with sharing everything and anything. I’d even use Daniel’s or my best friend’s toothbrush. Gross, right? I know, I should prob be more worried about germs.
    And the fish looks divine!

  37. Sushma Mallya
    June 22, 2010 / 12:27 am

    Taking water bottle without permission is just not done, its really rude, i wouldnt mind sharing it if someone ask ….

  38. Lena
    June 22, 2010 / 12:34 am

    I am not a germaphobe. Case in point, my gecko has remained in my kitchen sink for a week :). But those guys sound disgusting to be sharing water bottles. One of the most repulsive sounds to me is hacking up a loogie. I cringe just thinking about it. Have you got a new strategy to keep them away in the future? Good luck!

  39. Anna
    June 24, 2010 / 1:57 pm

    Ah, the lucky part about being a goalie… water bottle on net, no one ever drank from it.

  40. John
    June 29, 2010 / 11:10 pm

    For the most part I’m not a germaphobe. Things like you mentioned does though as it’s more than germs you caan pick up these days from other folks!

    Wow you’re moving! So you know I’ll be working when you move so I won’t be able to help you πŸ™‚

  41. Kathy
    April 16, 2013 / 6:27 pm

    I just made this tilapia recipe for dinner tonight (I realize the blog post is a few years old, but I just found your site!). I already had some cooked brown rice, so will have to try the rice recipe another time. The tilipia is wonderful! I love the combination of almonds and coconut. It was extremely easy to make, too, which I appreciated tonight. Thanks!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 18, 2013 / 7:03 am

      Thanks, Kathy! Hope you find more recipes you love and enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get my newest recipes
Follow Me