The world of Tzu Chi September-October 2021 (Vol.137)

2021 • 10 46 ellness Translated by Lee You Ning Uplifting the Mood through Cooking As I focus my hands and mind on food preparation as well as the natural aroma of the ingredients, my unpleasant emotions slowly melt away. O ne February day, I was attracted by an article on the Yellow Ribbon Culinary Competition. I was especially moved by the story of interactions between an inmate and his mother. The food the inmate whipped up in the competition was delivered to the mother’s doorstep. When interviewed, the mother expressed that she missed her son, and remarked, “We are waiting for him to return home. We will give him our full support throughout the journey, and we hope society can accept him too!” Her words must have resonated with many mothers. At that moment, I reflected, “If I were the mother, savouring the meal prepared by my son, I would not only be ingesting essential nutrients that nourish the body, but also feel the love that would heal the entangled relationship and emotional wound.” From my experience, children who are reserved in nature sometimes express their love and care for their family members through food they have wholeheartedly prepared. Once, I was invited to share about food and nutrition with secondary school students who were participating in a cooking competition. I was also one of the judges in the competition. A student shyly told me that he hoped to share the food he would prepare with his grandmother. He reasoned that his grandmother had been cooking for him every day. He hoped that for once, she could taste his cooking. What a thoughtful child he was to have sincerity in doing something for people around him! I was recently asked, “You mentioned that the tougher life gets, the better the reason to eat well. What do you mean by eating well?” There was a time when a friend’s family was admitted to the hospital. He texted me and mentioned that this could be the last leg of his family member’s life. From then on, my friend’s life revolved entirely around home, office and the hospital. Upon catching up with him, I softly suggested, “Let’s have a proper meal together.” We went to a Western café at a nearby mall. After ordering fruit salads, hearty soups and hot beverages, we sat ourselves at a corner and finished our meal quietly before heading back to the hospital. Being not one of an eloquent person, I cared for my friend in my own way— by accompanying him to have a nourishing meal so that he could replenish his energy, rejuvenate and continue to face the challenging days ahead. Comfort food for the soul Hearty Western soups, such as broccoli soup, mushroom soup and pumpkin soup, are my comfort food. It is strange but whenever I encounter unpleasant circumstances that