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Stephanie Davis
Stephanie started an illegal newspaper at her middle school called The Underground—which was printed on copy paper stapled together—thus beginning her foray into the world of publishing. She went on to be editor of her high school newspaper, worked at The Red and Black (UGA's esteemed newspaper)...
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Comfort Foods

Sunday, May, 11, 2008

Ever notice when you’re stressed, that you don’t reach for a salad?

A big something or other goes wrong in your life, and why don’t we go pull a celery stick out of the fridge?

Instead, it’s a must-go-now trip to Chick-Fil-A for a #1 Combo. (With a Diet Coke of course.) Or a run to the gas station for a big bag of Doritos. And if it’s really bad you need a cheese burger or a cheese dip and tortilla chips or mac n’ cheese at The Collonade or a bag of Cheetos. (What is it about cheese that makes us feel better? Ah, the Power of Cheese...those commercials are onto something.)

Anyway, I started thinking about comfort foods and why they’re so “comforting”- even though you feel awful about an hour after eating them- because I got in a fight with someone important to me a couple of days ago. After the initial yelling and crying all I wanted was my favorite comfort foods. Two of my closest friends, Tiffani and Heather, don’t eat when they get upset or stressed. They go the completely different way. But for some reason every cell in my DNA starts screaming for a Goldberg’s bagel with tons of cream cheese or Ok Cafe’s cheesy squash casserole or a Supersized fry from Mickey D’s when the going gets tough. So I wrote down the emotions with the corresponding food craving, hoping that some genius rogue nutritionist will see my blog and weigh in. No pun intended.

Anger- Burger and fries (with blue cheese dressing for dipping)

Sadness- Chardonnay and french onion dip with Wavy Lays

Worry- Meatloaf, mac n’ cheese and collard greens

Celebration- Fancy restaurant with great appetizers

Bitterness or Jealousy- Hola local Mexican joint! Cheese dip and margaritas

What am I doing with my life? type questioning- Chicken finger snack pack from Arby’s

Deadline stress- Bag of Doritos or Cheetos deskside.


MissAttitude
MissAttitude
Posted Sun, 05/11/2008 - 11:09
Depressed about not having a job: Wendy's Spicy Chicken combo with Coke (no messing with Diet for me!) Annoyed that the boy didn't call: Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Stylishly yours, Miss Attitude www.missattitude.us
maggie
maggie
Posted Sun, 05/11/2008 - 17:33
Nothing nourishes the soul quite like Haagen-Dazs chocolate peanut butter ice cream! It tastes better and has proven to be more therapeutic if you eat it out of the container.
margaret
margaret
Posted Mon, 05/12/2008 - 08:57
i am an overanalyzer extraordinaire, and i noticed something... the act of eating each of the foods really matches the emotion! i think your tummy is pretty smart. you know, like anger -- big meat burger and strongly flavored blue cheese (rahh!!), sadness -- chardonnay and a smooth dip to wash away your sorrows, your worry foods can all be mashed up and eaten together as one big macollardloaf casserole, bitter/jealous -- strong/hot food/alcohol to burn off those emotions (!), thoughtful -- individual chicken fingers to be dipped while you ponder and use them as pointers in conversation, deadline stress -- foods that you have to keep eating because your fingers get covered in that delicious fake flavor, a good excuse not to type anything until you are done :) okay it's 9:30 and i'm done analyzing for the day!
SweetTrav
SweetTrav
Posted Mon, 05/12/2008 - 11:27
What emotion is it that makes you want a poo-poo platter from a Chinese restaurant? : )
steffdav
steffdav
Posted Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:50
Ha. I used to LOVE Pu Pu Platters from the Chinese Restaurant in college. I think that was from test-stress. Ahhhh, how I miss the Student Special from my favorite Athens Chinese joint. Stephanie Editor of skirt! Atlanta
alison skirtboston
alison skirtboston
Posted Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:02
I've developed a new food group just for Friday afternoons. It generally consists of M&Ms and other stuff available in the office vending machine. I never indulge on any other day of the week but Friday. Here's another question for the moodfood analysts: what do you eat when you're *happy* and walking on clouds?
steffdav
steffdav
Posted Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:52
I think salads do sound appealing when you're feeling good and all is right with the world. Does that seem right to anyone else? Stephanie Editor of skirt! Atlanta
maggie
maggie
Posted Mon, 05/12/2008 - 22:41
Like Dream Cup from Chic-fil-A, you have to watch the spoon scrap the ice cream otherwise it comes in chunks and is impossible to eat and you're careful not to get too much on the spoon to avoid a head freeze. I also like PFs lettuce wraps when I'm happy - they can be a little messy but worth the hassle because after all you're happy.
yohayes
yohayes
Posted Wed, 05/14/2008 - 10:43
I have to say that I find my comfort food more comforting on after a long week and Friday's mood food is great! and makes me happy I love to check out a great new spot for dinner & drinks. But what does it mean when you open your fortune cookie and it has no fortune?