Sitting here, late on Saturday morning,
regretting the peanut butter graham crackers I ate at 2am when I
couldn't sleep but really needing a little something to accompany the
acidic, delicious coffee I am drinking.
It has been a funk inducing week.
Family stuff – everyone okay, but still worrisome. Work stuff –
superbly annoying to the point of resume searching.
But, the weekend is beginning and I
will not let the week win.
 |
| Nectarine, Parmesan, Marcona Almonds. Would never have eaten this for breakfast 40 years ago. But reading Provence 1970, and remembering our trip to Switzerland... |
My go to weapon against this funk...
Food.
Now settle down. I know 'eating your
emotions' is not healthy.
But, eating good food is a totally
different treatment.
And good food doesn't mean fancy. Or
expensive.
'Good food' triggers a sense of well
being – safety and love from tomato soup and grilled cheese as a
kid watching Saturday morning cartoons; excitement and laughter
shared over a ridiculously large bag of whip cream served with key
lime pie, closeness only good friends have shared over a glass of
wine....
The second question to the family,
after 'are you feeling okay' has been, what can I bring for lunch,
dinner, snacks....
The powers that be at Work have fed us
daily with lunches, snacks, even candy in areas where we aren't
suppose to have candy...
There is nothing I love more than to
cook a wonderful dinner for family and friends. Yes, it's a lot of
work. But it's also therapy, creativity and ultimately an opportunity to create a shared experience.
And it's those memories of shared
experience, triggered years later by that spicy salsa or that gooey
breakfast biscuit which remind us of good times and provide hope for
the future.
Food can't solve everything. But,
sharing food, even the most modest meal, can sometimes be the most
powerful medicine.
~Context and memory
play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life.~
Anthony Bourdain
1956-2018
(I don't
like 'jumping on a bandwagon' but I also feel an obligation to use
this medium for good. Suicide is a devastating act. It's effects reach
much farther than just the victim. If you feel alone and need help,
don't be ashamed. If you have a friend or family member you are
worried about, don't hesitate. Call the National Suicide Prevention
Hotline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255). We all need a little help every
once in a while.)
Two of my husband's relatives have committed suicide. I fear, though, that the attention paid to this plague will last a few weeks like it did with Robin Williams) and then die back. Our world is so fast paced that nothing stays in people's minds for long. Depression is something you don't understand unless you've been through it - literally seeing the world in black and white, and feeling like you are at the bottom of a pit lined with glass walls, and why try to climb out when it is hopeless? We have such a far way to go with offering help to those with mental illness (the reason for one of the suicides in my husband's family.)And, oh yes, I read Kitchen Confidential years ago - it was such an eye opening book. Another great person lost to us. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I don’t understand suicide. But I do see it’s devasting effects. Keeping the discussion open will hopefully help.
ReplyDeleteEmphasis on GOOD food! Husby has a cupboard that we in the loop call his 'snack cupboard'. Filled with all sorts of hip expanding, sugary treats. Avoidance is futile. But I do try. Fruit when all the others are having their ice cream. Nuts (five instead of half-a-cup) when they are munching chocolaty yumminess. And tea when I've finished my serving. Don't know what it does except make me feel better about my choices! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have learned that actual 'good' food doesn't demand eating half the bag! lol! a current fav is dried cherries and a few dark chocolate chips. although now that cherries are in season I would go for fresh!
Deleteps- good job!!