Living Breathing Cooking: Emotional Eating...(C'mon, we all do it)

I recently acquired Billy Joel's "Live At Shea Stadium" CD/DVD combo. Now, Mr. Joel and I go way back. From the time I was a junior in high school--[when my mother was in Florida with my grandmother, and my brother, who was "in charge" of me wrote me a Dr.'s note to get out of school so I could hop on the train with friends and go to Ottawa, in nosebleed seats, to see him perform The Stranger Tour.] , to the time I touched his shoelace at one concert, I can't even remember where. I think I've seen him a total of five times. The only time I have missed him was when I was pregnant with my daughter, so sick, and my husband had gotten the tickets and I pleaded with him to leave me behind and drive to Syracuse to see him. One of us HAD to go. We are fans!

My dream of sitting next to Billy Joel so he could teach me "Prelude/Angry Young Man diminished through the years, yet, I still long to learn how to play the wonderful tune. Putting the CD into my car stereo hasn't thrilled my children much as I sit and point out all the counter melodies and the genius behind the composition of the song. "This is Billy Joel!", I would exclaim. They just stare straight ahead. Can't blame me for trying. But, I digress. It did fit my mood, however. I wanted to pound on a piano with this tune so badly.

The last few days have been a bit of a struggle for me emotionally. I have been angry (you don't need details), upset, frustrated, you name it. Not mad at the world, but pretty close to it. It's OK. Really. We need to have these moments. They go away. I process with people who "get it" and then write in my journal. I have survived yet another stressful time in my life and certainly it won't be the last. I am a survivor, indeed.

I used to be the queen of emotional eating. Dealt with these issues for years. (And that's all I'll say about that), but I am now aware if I do it, I run for the journal, usually. However, two days ago, I ran for the pickled beets. (you may laugh) The strange tinge of vinegar coated my tongue with the sweetness of the beets. Heaven. My problems were solved.

If you think of it, we are taught many times as children to "fix" things with food. Some people choose to soothe their anger or distress with alcohol or drugs. Food is my drug of choice, I freely admit. "Here, eat this, it will make you feel better." We tell our tales of woe, and due to some folks discomfort with silence or words, they offer food. "Can I get you something to eat?" "Ooh, I just made these great cookies, they will help." You get the picture.

When day two of my emotions were a tad up in arms, I silenced my phone, put down the remote, and paced my kitchen with a need to cook something. Those beets tasted darn good, so maybe I'm onto something with a pickled, tart, sweet, appeal. AHA! My son and I were flying solo for dinner, as my daughter was working, so what can I eat, yet again, that would soothe the savage beast lurking within. Broccoli salad, you say? Yes. I love this recipe. You have it in your repertoire, I'm sure. This one was handed down to me by my stepmother years ago. It soothed me then, and it soothed me now.

What soothes the savage beast lurking within you? Does some music played loud along with good food do it for you? Or is it some other strange need that you dare share with others? At any rate, if you feel the need to quiet the hungries due to anger ,or just because it compliments a meatball sub, you might want to try this. Worked for me.

Broccoli Salad

4 cups cut up broccoli (I like small florets)
1/4 cup raisins
8 slices of bacon cooked crisp. (You can substitute vegetarian bacon)
1/2 cup cooked or raw onion (Sometimes I even use dehydrated onion flakes, but just about 1 Tbs., and if I use the real onion, I cook it.)
1 cup mayonnaise. NOT Miracle Whip
1/4 cup sugar
2Tbs vinegar (I use red wine)

1. Cut up broccoli. Add raisins, crumbled bacon, onion.
2. Stir mayo, sugar and vinegar together until nice and smooth.
3. Combine all together.

Let's see how long it takes you to get it to the fridge. You can serve it right away, or give it a chill.
Most importantly, enjoy.