Comfort Foods

So earlier this week I wrote about Natural Mood Enhancers and how winter increases the incidence of S.A.D.--but there is another way to combat the winter blues other than increasing serotonin.

Comfort foods.

Yup--winter is the perfect opportunity to indulge in carbo-loading, fat laden, mood soothing foods.  After all, we're bundled up in layers of clothing for 3-4 months--who's to know that there's an extra layer of us underneath the sweaters and thermal underwear?

Here's a list of some of my favorite foods to nosh on whenever the weather or life gets me down:

Mashed potatoes - Oh no--not the instant kind!  The only thing that will satisfy is peeling several potatoes, dicing them into large chunks, boiling them in water and then mashing them by hand.  Lumps in this case are not only optional but highly desired.  After boiling potatoes, drain off excess water and place back on stove.  Add in a bit of milk and lots of butter.  Wait until milk starts to boil and then start mashing.  You can add in some garlic or horseradish if you want to spice things up or stick with classic salt and pepper.  Ah!

Mac 'n Cheese - My mom has an awesome recipe for macaroni and cheese from scratch, but in a pinch the bright orange of Kraft Mac and Cheese does just fine.  If your taste skew more gourmet, there's always the white cheddar version, but for me the classic version adds a splash of color to brighten the dreariest of days.  Wanna make it even more comforting?  Add extra butter.  Yum...  No Mac 'n Cheese in the house?  Boil up some pasta, add some butter, salt & pepper and parmesan cheese and you're good to go!

Fresh bread and butter - I used to own a breadmaker and there was nothing better than waking up in the morning to the smell of bread baking.  If you don't own a breadmaker and aren't up for the kneading, rising, waiting, etc. of making your own bread, you can settle for a loaf from your local bakery or get pre-made dough from your grocer.  Warm it up in your oven and then slather it with a pat of butter.  Not a fan of butter's cholesterol?  Try some dipping oil instead...

Bread and anything - Speaking of bread, it's really a versatile comfort foot staple.  In addition to bread and butter, cinnamon toast (combine ground cinnamon with white sugar to make your own more cheaply than the store-bought version...), jelly and peanut butter sandwiches, Fluffernutter sandwiches and my all time comfort food favorite:  bread with peanut butter with a glaze of honey on top.  They say that man cannot live on bread alone.  They're right--you need to add some butter or peanut butter at the very least.  But other than that, pretty darned close!

An article in The Science Creative Quarterly outlines the physiological reasons behind comfort food cravings, but all you have to know is that comfort food a) tastes good and b) makes you feel good.  At least until the next time you step on to a scale...Added bonus:  it's cheap and easy!

What are some of your favorite comfort foods?  Let us know in the comments!