Health & Fitness
Cooking for Comfort and Food for the Soul
Cooking for comfort during the cold months of fall and winter.
MY ENERGY level seems to shift dramatically as summer winds down, autumn creeps in and winter finally takes hold of the world. The chilly weather makes for a perfect day to fill the kitchen with sweet and savory smells. There is something so healing, comforting and relaxing about a quiet afternoon chopping, measuring, stirring and baking.
I love to cook and I love to eat. But it’s more than that -– cooking stimulates and awakens all the senses. The sense of smell being the most obvious, but I also love the textures of different foods from the silky feel of flour to the firm crispness of an apple (Honey Crisp being my very favorite!). The produce section of the grocery store is full of so many different colors and textures. We have an abundance of high quality fruits and veggies, even in the fall and winter, which keeps things interesting and versatile all year long.
It isn’t until the weather changes that I give myself the gift of time. I love to sit and pour over recipies and cookbooks. I like to shop around for ingredients, taking my time and often going to several markets, soaking in the smells of fresh seasonal produce (and the bakery of course!), the bright and festive displays and the holiday ambience.
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I COME FROM a family of great cooks. Women who love to cook and are so good at it! My mother has the ability to cook anything without so much as a glance at a recipie or note card. She generally doesn’t use measuring spoons or cups –- just a smidgen of this and a dash of that. She just hums along and before you know it -– poof! A beautiful and delicious dish to behold. While I like to experiment in the kitchen, I can’t say that all my creations have been successful. I still love the comfort of a kitchen on a cold day and thoroughly enjoy cooking for friends and family.
Sunday used to be my ‘big’ cooking day. Our dear friend, Lisa came over almost every Sunday afternoon for a visit and dinner. I believe that good food, good wine and good company will cure almost anything that ails you. Lisa was battling cancer and really appreciated a good meal. I loved to watch her delight in each bite, always asking for seconds and sometimes thirds. I felt that this was just about the most important thing I did each week. I would do my best to try to fill her body up with nourishment, humor and the healing powers of love. Lisa left this earthly plane in May, and Sundays haven’t been quite the same since then.
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During this time of year, we are full of thanks and gratitude for all the blessings that we have. My favorite way of showing love and gratitude to others is baking their favorite dish. I look forward to spending a lot of time in the kitchen these next couple of months. And I will think of Lisa with each dish I prepare.
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“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” ~Luciano Pavarotti