
Remember when you were a kid and got upset about something? The first thing you got to "make you feel better" was some sort of food or treat. Hamster died? Here's a popsicle. Fell and scraped your knee? Here's a Hershey Bar. Kids made fun of your sweater on the school bus? Here's an ice cream sundae. Food was always associated with love and affection in my home growing up, perhaps it is an Italian thing.
My Mom would yell like crazy at us if we did something bad. We'd get screamed at, sometimes hit, but about an hour later, my Mom would yell out, "Come on, we're having ice cream." Like that was going to soothe my ass from the ass kicking she just gave me. Food was like a peace offering. If only life were really that simple. Imagine wars from history ending by one side offering the other side a sweet treat?
Food was and still is used as "medicine." I managed a "Discovery Zone" years back where hundreds of kids would come to play. If a kid fell and got hurt, the first thing people would do is give the kid an icee!!! A fuckin' ICEE!!!! Like that was going to pop the bone back into the kid's leg, like there was something magical in that raspberry syrup. I never understood that....don't get the first aid kit, grab an icee.
Growing up, my Mom and Dad never really played favorites with my brother, my sister, or me. BUT, if me and my Mom went to an ice cream place to get stuff for the family, her and I would always have ice cream there and "not tell" anyone when we got home then have ice cream again like we didn't just have it when we were out. It was like a secret ice cream society that you had to be tight lipped about or you'd be banished from that extra treat for life.
I find myself doing the same thing with my dog now. When I am going out and I feel bad about leaving him alone, I load him treats and bones because I feel guilty. That's why Brucie has a belly!!!!
Food, a healer, a peace maker, a sign of affection.....and so much more. Let's hear your food "healing" experiences.
























