Feel Good Food: A Meal for the Soul

There’s something deeply comforting about food that carries memory. A certain smell, a taste, a texture—it can unlock emotions and stories tucked away in the corners of our hearts. That’s exactly what happened to me last night.

Lately, I’ve found myself thinking about my dear friend Mel. She passed away nine years ago, but her presence has felt closer these last couple of weeks. It was a quiet, aching kind of missing, the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

So I made goulash.

This was a dish Mel used to make, and I hadn’t had it in years—not since long before she passed. But last night, it felt like the right time. I chose to make it with intention. I didn’t rush. I didn’t multitask. I just cooked, stirred, tasted, and remembered.

And when I sat down to eat, something in me softened.

I forgot how good it tasted. The flavors brought back so many moments with Mel—her laugh, the way she moved around the kitchen, how she always made extra for me to take home. I felt happy and nostalgic. And yes, I may have eaten too much. But it was the kind of full that comes from more than just food—it was full of emotion, of connection, of memory. It was good for the soul.

After dinner, I made myself some peppermint tea because, well, indigestion is real, and I knew it was coming. (This one is my go-to: Organic Peppermint Tea, or this one: Another great option—both are cheaper here than anywhere local I’ve found.) I curled up on the couch with my tea, resting and reflecting.

The meal had left me feeling warm. Peaceful. Grounded. There’s no better word for it—it was comforting. It reminded me that sometimes the best way to care for ourselves is to honor what’s been lost by allowing ourselves to feel it fully. To sit with it. To remember the good without rushing past the ache.

This morning, I woke up still feeling that calm. Still holding onto that quiet joy. That one meal was more than just food - it was a thread to the past, a moment of presence, and a reminder that comfort can be simple and still deeply meaningful.

If you’re following along with the mental health challenge, today’s theme was “Cook a Feel Good Meal.” And I can honestly say: mission accomplished.

Day 3 Complete