I am in the midst of quite the week. Let’s see: a hefty workload and two back-to-back major evening work events, followed by evening social outings, a pre-work doctor’s visit, the final days of my Bikram pass. A sane person might have prepared for such a marathon week by taking a relaxing Sunday, but no, I had yoga and brunch and theater and errands. I guess I kind of thrive off a busy schedule.
This blog is not a to-do list, of course [...contrary to what previous posts may say]. I wouldn’t commit to my plans if I didn’t want to take part: I could easily just go to work and come home and go to sleep. But where would the living be in that?
a simple side salad, with almond-tamarind dressing and a healthy
sprinkling of dulse. love the salty-sweet.
When life gets crazy, as it seems to be more and more often lately, I find myself very grounded by my meals. Last night, as I packed up the following day’s breakfast and lunch to-go while simultaneously preparing dinner, I felt so at ease.
I prepared a plateful of roasted vegetables, because it was apparently winter yesterday even though it will be summer tomorrow. [40 degrees to 80 degrees in the space of 48 hours? Sure, that must be normal.] As I arranged my coconut-oil-baked fennel, parsnip, and okra alongside my avocado and soft-boiled eggs, it felt perfect. It felt necessary. It tasted wonderful. I ate while chatting with my sister and her visiting friends, sipped my glass of three-buck chuck, and felt my mind slow peacefully back to earth.
a perfect stir fry, coated in black sesame seeds, with a side of
couscous and avocado – because my green guys go with everything.
Sometimes people say that we shouldn’t put too much emphasis on food. We shouldn’t rely on it to handle our emotions – for comfort, for sadness, for happiness or for anger. I agree to a point, of course – we do need to be mindful of why we eat.
But, I also find something beautiful about allowing food to hold importance, making it a priority, and letting it be a foundation in our lives. It is, after all, nourishment that sustains us and gives us life. Why not let it bring us a bit of peace?
That’s exactly how my meals have felt recently. Moments of calm amidst the insanity. Every plate, full of plants and more plants, has brought to me a sense of calm and a little bit of joy. I’m glad to have that.
Does food ground you when your life becomes busy? If not, what does?
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I think what you said is beautiful — not using food as a coping mechanism is a great point, but using it to ground you in a healthy way is something we should definitely do.
I think that the movement to treat food as “fuel” and separate it from emotions is one end of a spectrum that’s too far from ideal — ideal is having a WIDE range of coping mechanisms to deal with emotions and feelings, and sometimes if food is a comfort, and you use it in a positive way, that’s so meaningful. Food is an integral part of our lives, and I think your blog is a great example of how beautiful food can make people so happy. Your pictures are so calming and peaceful because your food is so whole and real and colorful.
I looove your blog!
warming foods and foods like potatoes keep me sane. i rely on them when i have too much stress because it instantly boosts my serotonin and balanced my blood sugar. i think we all use food to ground us to an extent.
i use food as fuel in terms of clean eating and simple meals but in saying that it ends up being a 50/50 fuel and comfort duo.
xoxo<3 wonderful question!!!
Taking time to prep your meals is so nice when you’re stressed. I’ve been nonstop all day and when I got home I was about to pour myself a big bowl of cereal or eat chocolate when I realized veggies would make me feel better. I sauteed veggies and topped them with tomato sauce and precooked polenta. It took 10 minutes, but it was so worth it!
i totally use meals to “ground” me when things get chaotic, whether it be a meal at home or out with a good friend at a snazzy restaurant. i love sharing the joy of food with friends who appreciate it as much as i do, just as much as cooking at home for myself every once in awhile. i guess it depends on my mood.
congrats on your last day of your bikram month! so proud of you for sticking it out. i can’t wait ’til the doctor okays some exercise for me – i’ve got a week at yogaworks i wanna use! aaand i have to take you to prana power yoga, it’s awesome.