Comfort Food Rx

As I think I've mentioned, I've been feeling a little blue and that's when I tend to go straight for the comfort foods—and none that are good for me. Macaroni and cheese is always high on my list, but one I seldom indulge. Mostly because I don't think I've ever made mac and cheese, whether just for me or me and several children, that there are ever any leftovers. Mashed potatoes also make the grade as does rice pudding. So, I am now on a quest of what to do to comfort myself that doesn't involve food.

(Note:  There is nothing wrong with my life, so don't call or write asking "what's wrong?" because it's nothing . . . and everything. Thank you for the thought, however. I just get the generic melancholies now and again, especially in spring. It can make me funky about an ongoing family issue that arises every few months or weeks that I usually just shrug my shoulders over. It can coincide with a work conundrum or a particularly bad dream. You can always find something wrong if you look. The truth is, we make our lives what they are based on our attitudes. So when I'm blue, small issues always seem worse and I always feel a little more lonely. The only way to get out of it is to keep being grateful for everything good in my life and focus even more determinately on my successes.)

For me, a particularly dangerous trap  is reading or watching TV. I have often picked up a "best seller" only to find it involves incest or rape or murder of a child and that's never good. I often ask librarians for suggestions on truly "up" books with no horrible crimes. The Jan Karon books are particularly great for the blues because the nice little Episcopalian priest focuses on his favorite Bible quote: Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Just saying it makes me tear up a little bit, because even though I'm not a big Jesus devotee, I do love him for his positive attitude. I definitely do believe in the benevolent God/Universe that gives you what you ask for when you have faith. As for television, I rely on anything that's positive like, believe it or not, the Dog Whisperer. That Cesar is so darn positive.  There's no way I'd watch anything like "16 and Pregnant" or "Survivor." Yikes.

I also love taking walks up and down hills and getting really exhausted. I also like riding my bike or riding my horse. Titan has a way of really making me feel great. He's always so happy to see me and tries really hard to understand what I'm trying to get him to do. I don't get as tired riding Titan as I would riding my bike or walking, unless I go for a really long trail ride after exercising him.

So what to eat when feeling this way? Tonight I'm going to grill a piece of swordfish for myself and have a salad. The kids and Tim are having baby back ribs, which I don't really love. I'm also making some boiled potatoes for them with parsley and pepper on them and peas. I'll have peas as well. The trick is having foods that make me feel as if they are healing, which is probably giving foods more credit than they deserve. I like pretty much any broiled fish and steamed or roasted veggies. A friend of mine tends to go vegetarian, which makes her feel superior in the food department. I don't get the same healthy buzz from vegetarian, but to each their own. The true skill is finding something that helps me start my day out right when I'm down because the first thing I tend to hit is the coffee. I think coffee can be a bit hard on the system.

Any suggestions other than an egg white omelet with vegetables or just fruit? And what do you do when you are feeling down, if you ever do?