An observation about our little foodie forum....

[Shakespeare]

I've noticed that posts here have fallen off sharply over the past week, as we've all been focusing our energy and emotion on the fallout from Katrina.

Of course, part of that is just a matter of shifting priorities, but it also reminds me that for so many of us, food is strongly connected with emotion. It seems we're all a bit too heartsick to take joy in food and cooking right now, and I think that's completely understandable.

So, in keeping with my southern roots, where food = love, I wish you all your favorite comfort food meal this week. If somebody cooks for you, be extra-grateful for the love they've shown. If you're cooking for someone, give them a hug to go along with the dish to remind them that, in all of this tragedy, we still have plenty of love for each other to go around.

So here's a hug from me to y'all, and a cookie to go with...or homemade mac 'n cheese...or chicken 'n dumplings....or whatever else soothes your weary hearts.

:grouphug:

[babylonsister]

1. Ah, Shakespeare, your sentiments are appreciated and

shared. :hug: Macs and cheese...now there's a plan!

[NMDemDist2]

2. I just hand rolled chicken enchiladas for dinner, It was a nice break

no news
no DU moderating thread
no radio

just me and sizzling chicken, warm tortillas and cheese

you are right, food doesn't just feed our bodies, when it's done right it feeds our souls

:grouphug:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

3. Well, the truth here ............

.......... is that life goes on as always, and it's only a message board. There just haven't been a whole lot of posts that I, speaking only for me, could contribute anything to.

The idea of food connected to emotion is something that I never considered, except in connection with eating disorders. In our family, food is simply another part of daily life, something to be savored, enjoyed, and celebrated, while life goes on. No one here's been affected appetite-wise by the horror in the Gulf Coast.

We've done what we could - written the checks, loaded up the supplies and taken them to the local receiving place for the displaced residents, and we'll probably write more checks as time goes on, because we can. But, as for it affecting our daily lives, and, more importantly (in this household), the matter of food and meals, I'd have to say that the news has never - and we've got a great span of ages here - interfered with appetites.

In fact, the first thing anyone ever thinks of when anything happens is "What are we gonna serve/eat?"

Of course, this is an Italian-Jewish-Chinese family, so it might not have the typical take on the matter.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

4. How true.

I haven't felt like going all cooking wise. Funnily enough, this morning I woke up & decided to. I have no idea why, but DH just walked in, saw every pot dirty & got really excited. He had a long, hard day & is really looking forward to trying something new.

best & hugs back

[SW FL Dem]

5. Great post!

I have been focused on the other forums and haven't felt like cooking or talking about cooking. Today, I decided it was important for the family to get back to normal, nothing special, chicken, scalloped taters and green beans, but we turned off the tv and sat as a family around the dinner table for the first time since Katrina hit NO.

Didn't think about comfort foods, maybe tomorrow we'll have chicken soup or homemade mac and cheese, my comfort foods growing up.

[Lugnut]

6. I can't speak for others but

I've been pretty much just going through the motions. It's been a horrifying week and I'm just not motivated. I have been cleaning out kitchen cabinets to work off some of the stress and anger I've been feeling.

Potato salad is a comfort food for me. I think I need to make some tomorrow.

[eleny]

7. Nice!

It was hard to share what I fixed around here. I kept thinking how awful when people were actually without sustenance. Donating doesn't cut it when they had nothing. I posted some but it still felt very off notch.

Nice that you broke the ice.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. I've been found out .......

..... just not up to cooking for the last week or so ..... we made some special chow for this past Monday, but even that was watered down from our original intent.

Even tonight ... after the disaster and at the start of the finger pointing (at our side, of course, for speaking truth and other horrible crimes) ...... its either subway or quiznos.

I'm really kinda down, still ..... and really angry.

Anyway, Shakespeare, thanks for the uplifting post. :) It served its purpose. It **did** lift my heart.

Thanks!

:hug:

[wildeyed]

9. I have been too heartsick to even eat much.

I only cook because I have to keep up for the kids. But I am sure there will be a time for comfort food in the future.

Until then :grouphug:

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Tonight (Friday) we're gunna do French Toast and I'll make some bacon

for me. Sparkly doesn't eat meat.

Yeah ... ***French*** toast! :)

My malaise is morphing again to outrage. That takes energy. Maybe my appetite will follow.

[Shakespeare]

12. yum.....you inspired me!

I love, love, love French toast!

After I finished cleaning up the dinner mess last night, I sliced a stale loaf of sourdough into inch+ thick slices, and put them in a dish with my usual french toast custard mixture to soak in overnight. Hauled my sleepy butt out of bed 45 minutes early this morning to cook breakfast, which I usually do NOT do on weekday mornings.

It was worth the lost sleep. :9

[wryter2000]

11. Awwwww

I was just thinking the same thing. Today's my first visit to C&B since Katrina hit. There's another thread titled "getting back to cooking." I think that poster is feeling the same.

I made a huge pot of beans and will be chowing down on refried beans, my comfort staple. My mouth is getting ready for some etouffe, too. I'm trying to figure out what to put in it. I like sausage and usually some kind of fowl or pork. I know seafood is popular, but the shrimps at the store look yucky.