Dr. Seth Meyers, Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Seth Meyers, Clinical Psychologist

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thanksgiving Cooking: It's All About Intimacy


Lately it seems all everybody can talk about is the holidays. The reason is simple enough: the clock shifts into a manic race against time and your shopping list seems to get longer by the day. Fortunately we have Thanksgiving about a month before Christmas, an innocent little holiday that acts like an appetizer to the mega meal we call Christmas.

Part of what makes Thanksgiving particularly special is that it is more about eating and celebrating than exchanging gifts. To make this Thanksgiving more special for you, cook or bake something for the group with whom you’ll share the holiday. While this may be a no-brainer for some, for others cooking or baking is simply not in their weekly repertoires of routines. For these men and women, picking something up at the store or having the meal catered seems easier.

For those of you who traditionally opt for the store-bought route, try preparing something yourself for your loved ones this year. Don’t fret: there’s no need to create a culinary perfection, as if straight from the kitchen of the Barefoot Contessa. Instead, focus on the meaning: cooking and baking for others is an intimate gesture which others appreciate far more than anything made by a stranger.

If you focus on what makes Thanksgiving special – homemade food and the company of friends and family – you’ll be less likely to buy store-bought items and more likely to set a date with the appliances in your own kitchen. If you only make one item, choose a staple that’s easy – mashed potatoes or green beans – and you’ll see just how much your efforts are appreciated.

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