What a Crock!: Comfort food

Those of you who are caregivers know the challenges. Each minute has to be prioritized and food is no exception.

I have had personal experience over the years, the most recent with my mother-in-law and my sister. Comfort foods are called that for a reason. No matter what the food, just to smell the merging flavors stimulates the appetite. Knowing someone cared enough to cook it for you is healing in itself.

One of my sister’s visitors brought containers of potato salad, three-bean salad, wild rice salad and chicken salad. The reason being, she said, was that luncheon foods often get overlooked. She was right. Several of the salads also doubled as sides for the evening meal, a bonus. Luckily, my sister had a well-stocked pantry and freezer. A package of chicken wings, sauce, red potatoes and onions provided a slow-cooked meal the first night home from the hospital.

Sometimes, though, special treats are craved. In her case, it was blueberries, and since blueberries have a number of nutritious properties going for them, we got blueberries. Ice cream can be healing as well, especially to the pleasure centers of the brain.

So don’t overlook the healing powers of a special treat. Practicalities aside, sometimes it’s just nice to be pampered, for both the patient and those caring for them.

Julie Kay is a columnist for The Advocate. She can be reached at [e-mail].