Happy New (ish) Year! If you have eyes, an email, or any social media then you know it's that time of the year. You know, the one where capitalism hyper-focuses on bodies and weight and is filled with post-holiday fat-phobic and diet culture content. So instead of bringing more of that into your life, I'm choosing to center intentional joy in this blog.

Whether we as a society want to admit it or not, we ALL are emotional eaters. That's because eating is inherently emotional. If you think about it, we have food at almost every kind of social event...including funerals.

This is because food DOES bring us pleasure. At the beginning, middle, and end of the day, we all need to eat. Food can bring comfort, pleasure, and adventure into your life without all that guilt and shame that fatphobia puts on us. So in 2023, I am changing my relationship with food.

Here is a list of foods that help me celebrate myself- and bring me joy!

Butternut Squash Soup

Is there anything more comforting than soup? No, there isn't. I enjoy a good seasonal soup, and butternut squash is THE seasonal soup. It reminds me of cooking and getting cozy on a rainy fall day.

Thai Yellow Chicken Curry and Rice

Curry is my new favorite rice-meat-veg-sauce combo. What I love about curry is that there are so many different types. My favorite curry is from Thailand because of its intricate seasoning. You can find curried meals from almost every other country and major culture including- Jamaica, China, Malaysia, and South Africa to try for yourself.

Chicken Pot Pie

Name something more comforting than a pie? Cant? Exactly. Some would debate that but they are wrong. Chicken pot pie is supreme. My favorite part is the perfectly baked, if you do it right, crust. How can you not drown yourself in this gooey, balanced, and tasty goodness.

Baked Root Veg Medley

Contrary to popular belief, veggies are delicious, filling, and essential to our health. Some veggies that bring me joy are carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. These vegetables add so much flavor as a side dish and can be added to any salad or rice bowl to create a tasty meal.

Ice cream

Growing up in my household, eating dessert was not common. We often saved desserts for special occasions, and now as an adult, I find myself doing similar things. One of my favorite flavors of ice cream is peanut butter, and I treat myself to it when I am celebrating my wins in life.