so, i'm in a tough stretch right now, can't seem to climb out. made an apple pie last week, love apple pie! that worked until the pie was gone (and, no, i didn't eat the whole thing by myself).

tonight, going through the fridge, i found a few pears, kiwi, fresh pineapple and some bananas. hmmm...so i peeled, cored, sliced and put them all in a blender until it looked like baby... food. Yum??? tastes like banana with a hint of pear. it's all fresh, no preservatives so i'm gonna freeze it in smaller portions and pick away at it this next week.

i'm blaming this all on the cloudy days, -20 to -30 temps, and nothing good to read (except this site).

what should i try next?

Campbells tomato soup {with milk} and a grilled cheese sandwich with a tall glass of cold milk. Works every time.

...or a good PB&J on good grainy bread. (also with a tall cold milk.)

If you like to bake, I heard that making your own bread from scratch can relieve frustration. You get to punch the rising dough and such. Plus the smell of it in the oven is the best. (I remember the smell in both grandmothers’ kitchens) The mess would make me crabby though. Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for me.

Making my own meatloaf and mashed potatoes also makes me happy.

Never having been much of a sugar fan, I lean toward grease and salt when in a rut. One of my favorites is quick and deadly; fries! I used to deep fry them-literally 5 pounds at a shot-but now I use the oven. Cut up a few spuds, drizzle with olive oil, season with whatever you fancy and bake at 400 until crispy (you may want to toss them a couple of time).

I also love making really hot wings. Again, I no longer deep fry them, but have found a recipe where they first get steamed and then baked. Turn out super crispy this way.

A phone call.

:)

(for delivery)

(1) Steak and a huge salad

(2) Shrimp and pineapple in red curry coconut milk

When I am crabby, I usually do not like to cook and that would be a day for heading out to a sit down restaurant or my personal favorite... "make your own dinner night".

If I am sick all I crave is mashed potatoes or cream of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich.

If I am down in the dumps, I find myself making foods from my childhood, like my grandmother's banana bread recipe or my mom's goulash, or I go into a baking frenzy and make brownies and cookies. I will spend all day in the kitchen, which is funny because I don't really think of myself as someone that "likes" to cook.

quote inspector13: "
If you like to bake, I heard that making your own bread from scratch can relieve frustration. You get to punch the rising dough and such. Plus the smell of it in the oven is the best. (I remember the smell in both grandmothers’ kitchens) The mess would make me crabby though. Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for me.

Making my own meatloaf and mashed potatoes also makes me happy."

I second this idea... takes time, its physical, and you get a house full of wonderful smells.

You could bake everyday or do a huge batch in one day and do home deliveries up and down the trail to people that you think deserve a little pick me up.

I always feel happy when I make someone else smile!

Chocolate chip cookies with lots of chocolate!

For me, chocolate or carbs. Fresh bread or crescents - oh,and lots of butter.

This is a great thread with great ideas - except it makes me want to go and eat.

What I crave when I'm crabby is candy, sweets, but I don't eat them! Here is some comfort food. Cheese sauce. Tastes great on cooked potatoes, or pasta or broccoli.

4 TBS butter
a little chopped onion
Saute onion in butter. Add:
1 tsp dry mustard
1 TBS worchestershire sauce. Add and cook for a little while:
flour, about 4 TBS
Add milk, about 2 cups
cook till thickened
Add grated cheese. Tonight I used cheddar and chipotle cheddar, about 1 cup
stir in cheese till melted.