I just got back from a very filling and comforting meal at Bob Evans with my husband, daughters and elderly parents. We all sat around eating and smiling while stuffing dinner roll after dinner roll smothered in butter and honey in our mouths. Although the dinner wasn’t outstanding, it was good and it was comforting, exactly what Mr. Evans was aiming for, I suspect.

Actually, the same exact scene takes place at my own dining room table three or four times a week as my family gathers to eat delicious, warm and comforting food. Comfort food and family have gone to together like peas and carrots for generations.  I know my mommy and daddy love to eat foods they grew up with amongst their children and grandchildren. The food and the company is always simple and sweet and oh, so memorable.

The trueness of comfort food is indisputable. Although, I often think that we underestimate the sincerity of a platter of pork chops and homemade applesauce or the coziness of a pot of chicken and dumplings simmering on the back burner. And well, nothing beats the security of a warm, cinnamon apple pie, nothing.  In other words, comfort food soothes our souls, makes us feel loved, revered and significant. I truly believe comfort food takes most of us back to the simple and secure feelings of childhoods long ago where magic and Santa still live in our hearts, as does hot cocoa, chicken soup and bowls of tapioca pudding!

So, let us carry on, O’ comfort food, as mothers for generations before us have done so lovingly, so profoundly. I propose us all to make our dinners as loving and comforting as possible with whatever comfort foods hold true to our own individual families. Together, my sweeties, we will change the world one pie and tuna noodle casserole at a time.  :)  Eat pie, love life, Xoxxolinda

For comfort food ideas, check out the RECIPE section with all the Sweetie-licious’ staff favorites or go to NEWSLETTERS on the HOME page and check out all the archived newsletters – lots of good comfort recipes there as well!