Cooking can Help with Mental Health

Swentzell, Roxanne, and Patricia M. Perea, editors. The Pueblo Food Experience Cookbook: Whole Food of Our Ancestors. Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute, 2016. 

The Article “Hunting Story” by Roxanne Swentzell talks about how they were low on food and decided to butcher a buffalo but because they were low on food and also to receive strength. They also made memories as they were driving on the way up there and just the talk made them bond more closer. 

Swentzell, Roxanne, and Patricia M. Perea, editors. The Pueblo Food Experience Cookbook: Whole Food of Our Ancestors. Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute, 2016. 

Annette talks about how she's been dealing with being overweight and how it affected her mental health.  Annette thought about changing her diet as an important way to combat some of her complications and she decided to join “The Pueblo Food Experience” and it was hard for her throughout the Experience. Annette had bad cravings for sweets, butter, and candy, she avoided going to the gas stations because of the smell of coffee and the aisle of candy. 

Throughout her journey on changing her diet Annette weight went down same as her white blood cell count. Annette felt better physically and emotionally and Annette mentioned her mom and aunties suffered from diabetes, high cholesterol and her mom and aunties asked her what her secret was and she was naming all the things she did. 

The Article "Food Culture : French Cooking" by: World Trade Press talks about how France prepare foods and how they are served. France uses different types of meats in their foods and also have their own wines to add sweetness and savory in their dishes. France has an important tradition of rich, complex cakes and pastries, the deserts can be simple. Their meals are often social events that bring family and friends together. Sharing a meal builds relationships and reduces stress. "Wine is an ingredient in many of the country's standard dishes." 

I relate to this article because we have our own tradition in our pueblo cookings. Our cooking doesn't use expensive ingredients like wine and liqueurs, We are rich in our making in pueblo foods like red chili, green chili, posle, and pueblo bread. My mom told me " We don't need luxury cars, houses, and boats because we are rich through our tradition and culture. We have one similar thing with France, which is "Sharing a meal builds relationships and reduces stress" becasuse we have events in our pueblo and that's where we connect with our family through and also spend our time with them.

The Article "Food Culture: Brazil Cooking" by World Trade Press talks about how important their food culture is and how they combined there foods with other food cultures. Brazil is known as a fusion Island. Feijoada is a heavy stew made with black beans and meat it is a national dish in the world. Traditional Brazilian diet includes fresh fruit and veggies which may reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. Here are some examples: Acai, Passionfruit, and Brazil nuts. "Cooking is my way of telling stories and expressing emotions" By Morena Baccarin "Each dish carries a touch of my personality and memories." Morena Baccarin 

I've never had experience with Brazilian cooking. I would hope to try it out at least once or twice. My dad once told me "Never judge how other food culture is made." That stood out to me because I was raised not to be judgemental towards other people and their cultures. I also didn't know fruits and veggies could reduce anxiety and depression, and I think that's something that could help most people who deal with anxiety and depression.

The Article "Food Culture: Guam Cooking" by: World Trade Press talks about their culture is with food. Guam has a Chicken Kelaguen, dish of chopped grilled chicken flavored with lemon juice, onions, hot peppers, scallions, and fresh coconut, and it is one of the island's most popular dishes. Pork is enjoyed there as well and it is considered their cultural food the same as chicken kelaguen. Food from Guam is central to their culture. Fiestas, weddings, ceremonies are often times to gift food. Food was also used to negotiate peace after warfare. Food was a national destresser for the people. 

My personal connection with Guam is that I have family there. When they come back to my pueblo they talk about how nice it is there but mostly importantly I ask them about food there. They tell me what is the most important food dish there is and their cultural food they have. "The Chicken Kelaguen is one of my favorites there and I highly recommend trying it."- My cousin Sabrina