In balance, we find harmony; in harmony, we find balance. This is an important motto to live by and to apply to decisions that need to be made. I think for many people it is hard to achieve balance and harmony when making choices about food. Many people across the world, especially young girls struggle with eating disorders and negative relationships with food.

It is important to draw awareness to this widespread problem, while also thinking about how food can be portrayed in a positive light. I have changed my mindset to think about food as fuel rather than a caloric number. There is no such thing as “bad” foods and “good” foods, rather some foods give us long-lasting energy and some provide short bursts. As long as we understand that in order to get long-lasting energy we need to eat nutrient-dense foods we can make smart choices about when to eat nourishing foods and when to eat sweet treats. 

This past weekend, I went home and spent my two-day break cooking and catching up with my family. I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to be back in my kitchen, able to prepare some of my favorite dishes. The recipes I prepared were a perfect display of balance, and the joy that both brought me reflected a feeling of harmony. 

The first dish I prepared was kale soup. This may sound unappetizing but I promise it is rich with flavors and color. This recipe was given to me by one of my childhood best friends, so preparing it caused me to recollect the warmth it brought us after many cold soccer games.

This soup contains kale, carrots, potatoes, sausage, vegetable broth, and a heaping amount of different herbs and spices. The savory aroma from the spices filled my kitchen, contrasting the cold and dreary weather outside. I love soup because of the versatility and comfort it provides. It is completely up to the chef to determine how much Italian seasoning should be added or what type of vegetables should be diced and added to the concoction. This allows for specific nutritional goals and flavor preferences to be accommodated. 

The second recipe I prepared was brown butter chocolate chip cookies (yes, they are as delicious as they sound). The secret to producing the most flavorful chocolate chip cookie is browning the butter before creaming it with the sugar. After mixing all the ingredients (and eating lots of cookie dough), I placed tablespoon-sized dollops onto the cookie sheet and placed them in the oven. The sweet aroma of cookies filled my entire house, creating a feeling of comfort.

These two recipes are meant to demonstrate that balance is one of the most important aspects of nutrition. It is possible to fuel our body, while still indulging in our cravings. I was so excited to get to bring my creations back to school. This made me feel at home, even when I was two hours away.