Within Reach I.

I adore a hotel that notes my preferences aka peculiarities. Thank you Covent Garden Hotel for ensuring my tissue is always within reach.

Points for Buca.

Sweet and simple. I adored the fact cutlery was placed on the plate as opposed to on the table.

The perfect amenity.

I found this in my room at the Hotel Le Germain in Toronto. A perfect welcome for the Hygiene Hunter. If you are not fluent in French, Google Refermables.

The No-Hand Press.

The best way to avoid germs on elevator buttons is by not directly touching them. A room key can be really useful in this situation. Especially if you do not want to carry around a tissue box like me. Just remember to handle the right end.

Overprotective at the Mercer.

Just the way I like it;) You'll find complimentary protection among your bathroom amenities AND sneeze-proofed food delivered to your room. This is my mighty Kale Shake that helps boost immunity.

This is how I like my carpet.

Lint free. With a sold-out hotel this was a triumph for Mercer housekeeping staff.

A bath at the Mercer anyone?

No, this is not an invitation. Instead of waiting over an hour to strip naked for the Carsten Holler: Experience at the New Museum I chose to bath in my clothes in private.

A bath at the museum anyone?

The only thing missing from the Carsten Holler: Experience at the New Museum is the smell of corn dogs. Thank you Carsten Holler. You can literally slide through the museum starting on the fourth floor, have your retinas fried on the second by flickering lights and take off way more than your shoes on the third for an out-of-body experience in the sensory-deprivation pool entitled the Giant Psycho Tank. Even though the policy for the tank is one person at a time, a shower was mandatory, the water salt, I passed on this experience since sensory deprivation is said to lead to bizarre thoughts. And quite clearly, I do not need any more of those.

A perfect start to the New Year.

The Mercer's Resident Pillow Fluffer ensures no fruitcake, turkey basters or New Year's Resolutions have slipped through the cracks in the sofa.

Barney's 40% Off Sale.

My very first thought is, "How many more people are going to touch Barney's door during their sale season?" followed by "How many more people are going to touch Barney's door during their sale season?" Then there is the trying-on-the-clothes-part. Have you ever noticed how disrespectful people can be to a $5,000 plus evening dress when sales madness takes over?

Bare hands okay if ...

I watched The Cheeseman for three hours and he did not once touch anything he wasn't supposed to. Like his eyes, ears, nose or nether region. Those are places others unfortunately do venture -- even with food prep gloves on. Kudos to The Cheeseman and his co-workers at Buca. If I witness an infraction at a restaurant I ask for the food to be remade. Obviously this only works with an open concept design.

Hygiene at the Halekulani.

To a vegetarian this is a well-handled crime scene. To a hygiene hunter this is a well-handled piece of prime rib and a thoughtfully fondled bun.

Why Hygiene Hunt?

This is one question I am often asked. Followed up, at times, with, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I prefer to be proactive with my health. This includes a good diet, exercise, proper handwashing and not walking into traps set by others who are less hygiene focused. Think booger on doorknobs, feces on mobile phones and God-knows-what on gas pump handles. As soon as people hear of studies they freak out. Why not be constantly vigilant instead? And no, not in a freakish way. You can leave that to me. Boards of Health exist for a reason. According the Canadian Patient Safety Institute proper handwashing is key to infection control and avoidable deaths. Peace out. Just please don't try to shake my hand.

Pizza Scissors.

Not to be confused with nose hair scissors.

How I fight the flu.

Instead of opting for a flu shot, I increase my Kale Shake intake by one, continue to avoid unprotected interaction with doorknobs and hold my breath for two months.

What a relief!

My freeze-dried raven IS allowed to dine with me.

Antipasti at Buca.

As long as it doesn't touch my glass, I can most certainly appreciate the view.

Vindicated.

"I wouldn't walk on this floor barefooted either," said one airport security guard to another after I was granted permission to walk through the metal detector with slippers on.

Better than a hypoallergenic pillow.

Kiki is so loveable she would likely let you rest your head on her.

Green equals clean.

The greener your surroundings, the cleaner the air you breath. If you live on Salt Spring Island you have it made. AND, as if that was not blessing enough, you have this delightful bakery to encourage carb consumption.