Column: From Crisis to Kitchen

Human beings are such complicated creatures that simplicity often takes an effort to achieve. One of my favorite idioms is the KISS principle. You've heard of it before: “keep it simple, stupid.” The stupid in that phrase often refers to me. Can you relate?

World events, opinions of leadership of our country, road rage, anything that threatens to change or even the weather can add stress to our lives. A personal incident or event initially shocks the system, and adrenaline pumps through the body. In the short term, stress can shut down appetite.

Once the traumatic event is in the past, prolonged stress produces cortisol. This hormone increases appetite and motivation to eat. When the tension is constant, the stress response gets stuck in the “on” position with elevated cortisol levels.

The past few months have been a trial for me and my family. An arthritic right shoulder and a broken bone complicated my life with two surgeries, the temporary loss of my right arm and hand, and an inability to hold my grandchildren or drive a car. Pain from an old car accident causes my back and legs to scream when I overdo any activity. Then my dear husband had a stroke while vacationing on an island in the middle of Lake Erie.

It is difficult to keep it simple when daily living skills are threatened, spiced with added pain and confusion. This has given dear family and friends an opportunity to return much-needed care and love right back to us. Despite everything, we are healing, and we feel extremely blessed.

As far as our eating goes, during these days of increased cortisol, we have reverted to simple dining pleasures. We have slurped down homemade chicken noodle soup more than once. There are mysterious healing powers in the aromatic vapors of chicken soup.

We also have prepared homemade potato soup twice. During the Depression Era, some milk and one potato fed my mother and her three younger sisters. It was comfort food for them. As a girl I remember this soup, garnished with a bit of homegrown parsley, when money was tight. Potato soup is a simple go-to when stressed.

Because our lives are so stressful, overeating only makes our bodies more uncomfortable. The beauty of comfort foods is that it does not take much to trigger the warm, fuzzy feelings that calm our frazzled frame of mind. The key is to eat slowly.

Try a mental exercise with me. Think of a bite of chocolate that is gradually melting in your mouth. Feel the sweet liquid ooze around your tongue. Swallow. Felt good, huh? Now take an imaginary nibble from a warm cinnamon roll right out of the oven. What about a spoonful of chicken noodle soup? Buttery fresh corn? Meatloaf smothered in ketchup? Bean soup with cornbread? Just thinking of these foods can put a smile on your face.

Keep it simple, stupid. Take time to prepare those simple favorites that will boost a sense of feeling good. Just spending time in the kitchen can prove to be therapeutic. Sit down and enjoy a mealtime without a newscaster blurting out the bad news of the day. Zone out the distractions and savor each morsel of a favorite comfort food. You can't underestimate the value of a relaxing meal or snack.

Do not eat while driving. Eating slowly prolongs the enjoyable and comforting experience. KISS. May you all be comforted.

Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.