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On this week’s GoalChat, I had an enthusiastic and engaging conversation about Comfort Food with food writer, baker, and novelist Aaron Hamburger (Hotel Cuba); Natalie Kalmar, founder of Fitness Foodie STL, and Marissa Rothkopf, author of The Secret Life of Chocolate Chip Cookies and host of The Secret Life of Cookies. We covered community, cookies, food advocacy, and so much more.
What is Comfort Food and Favorite Comfort Foods
- Marissa: Comfort food is different for everyone. Chocolate chip cookies are the world’s most universal comfort food.
- Marissa: You also need savory comfort food. Hers is whole wheat spaghetti cooked in chicken stock with olive oil and parmesan
- Natalie: This nostalgic feeling that comes with the food. Or as Marissa says, something that makes you sink into the couch and feel cozy.
- Natalie: Favorites: casseroles, matzo ball soup, or delivery Thai food. Also, gooey butter cake
- Aaron: Childhood nostalgia – whitefish salad on a bagel, matzo ball soup – but also KFC (after a stressful situation), red velvet cake, 7-layer cake, banana bread; dump cakes
- Aaron: Enjoy food for food sake, by taking the emotional component out of it
The Role of Food in Community
- Marissa: In challenging, stressful times, think about what we can do for each other; for instance, bake and share
- Aaron: Every year, he has a cookie party (from 24 to 50 different kids); mixes and matches his groups of friends, as well as his cookies, so all types and flavors are covered
- Natalie: Food and community go hand-in-hand; it’s a bridge builder, where we all play a role
Comfort Food #GoalChatLive
Goals
- Natalie: Stop shaming yourself for enjoying things that bring you comfort. Enjoy it! Also remember moderation
- Marissa: Share with others, if you are able to, whether it’s bake, bring canned food to the local food pantry, or donate to World Central Kitchen
- Aaron: Have a great pantry at home, so you always have good food at your fingertips. You will be more likely to want to cook
Final Thoughts
- Aaron: Make an extra effort to be extra kind to others
- Natalie: Wishing everyone a stress free enjoyable holiday season. Find the joy!
- Marissa: Anybody can make pie crust. It’s only a meal; if it doesn’t turn out the way it’s supposed to, it’s fine. Always keep chickpeas in the kitchen
Links
- Learn more about Aaron Hamburger, Natalie Kalmar, and Marissa Rothkopf
- Connect with Debra Eckerling , Aaron Hamburger, Natalie Kalmar, and Marissa Rothkopf Bates on LinkedIn
- Watch my Taste Buds with Aaron Hamburger, Natalie Kalmar, and Marissa Rothkopf Bates
- Subscribe to GoalChat, Taste Buds with Deb, the Book Proposal Podcast, and the MPN Meta Marketing Show
- Join the Taste Buds with Deb and Write On Online Facebook Groups
- Learn more about Goals with DEB and Books with DEB, and join Deb’s next Goals Mixer on November 19
- Get your copy of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals
- Order 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting
What is your go-to comfort food? Please share in the comments.
Next Week
On November 17, we are talking about Passion Projects with Kathy Berardi, Linda Fisk, and Lawrence Loh. Join us at 4pm PT, for #GoalChatLive.
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For more inspiration, motivation, and tips, follow @TheDEBMethod on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. And connect on LinkedIn.
