******************************************** Hot News from Soup Central at E.D. Foods February 15th, 2005 ******************************************** Over a MILLION site visitors Over 80,000 subscribers to this newsletter TABLE OF CONTENTS: For All you wanted to know (And some you didn't) About Comfort Foods A. Monthly Specials B. Seasonal Comfort Foods Theories C. Emotional Comfort Foods Theories D. Healthy Comfort Foods? E. Comfort Food Recipes Cheesy Ham and Hash Casserole Baked Macaroni and Cheese Classic Meatloaf Chicken Pot Pie Slow Cooker Beef Stew F. Comforting Websites G. People Pleasing Soups H. People Pleasing Tingling Tortilla I. Customer's Recipes Corner J. Short and Sweet K. Quote of the Month L. 15 Things it Took Me Over 50 Years to Learn ********************* A. Monthly Specials ********************* please follow this link: http://www.ed-foods.com/special.html ************************************* B. Seasonal Comfort Foods Theory ************************************* When it's cold outside, we're not feeling well, we just received some bad news, or even if we got some great news and want to celebrate - it's comfort foods that we turn to. But what are comfort foods? Why do we crave them in certain situations and why do they make us feel better when we satisfy that craving? We know that people tend to eat certain comfort foods at certain times - for example, someone might crave a big plate of tuna casserole on a cold wintry night. Let's look briefly at some common theories on why we crave what we do - when we do. To begin, let's look at some Seasonal Comfort Food theories. **If you're interested in reading up on the subject in more detail, I've added a 'research links' list in the our 'Comforting Websites' section. Let's Blame It On Our Ancestors! It isn't just a coincidence that when the weather starts to turn cold, we begin to get cravings for heartier meals, such as soups, stews and casseroles. This change in eating habits can sometimes result in some 'winter padding', which serves as insulation for us. Many believe that this instinct to seasonally bulk-up comes from the pre-Central Heating days. When the weather started to get colder, it acted as a signal for our ancestors, telling them that it was time to gain an extra layer or two, in order to give them some more warmth and protection from the elements. Even though we now have heated houses and cars, chances are pretty good that most of us still won't be able to make it through winter without stepping foot outside. So if you're one of the many who seem to crave only the heartiest and richest of comfort foods during this frosty season - don't despair - it's just your ancestor's survival techniques kicking in :-) When I Was Young Part 1... Many of our habits - especially the ones we associate with happiness, warmth and/or comfort - are carried on into adulthood. If you grew up in a household where the meal plan changed to warmer, heavier meals during winter, you will most likely carry on this tradition yourself - probably even making the very same meals you were served as a child, all the while reminiscing fondly. But I'm getting into Part 2 here, so let's move on! SAD SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects an estimated half a million people - with younger people and women being at a higher risk. This type of depression occurs in the winter, when the days are shorter and there is less daylight. Some symptoms of SAD include lethargy, changes in eating patterns, an increased appetite and weight gain. Many people who suffer from SAD tend to overindulge in their favorite comfort foods - hoping to find relief and comfort in sugary or starchy childhood foods. This comfort food theory could actually be put into our next section, as it is a highly emotional reason for eating certain foods. However, as this is a seasonal affliction, people who experience SAD often revert to their healthier lifestyles as the days grow longer and brighter. **************************************** E. Emotional Comfort Foods Theories **************************************** Technically speaking, a comfort food is "any food that is simply prepared and is associated with/gives a sense of home, well-being, or contentment." Just from this definition, we can see that comfort foods are closely connected with our emotions - you may be seeking comfort foods to soothe a yearning for childhood, to create a sense of happiness, or to calm stressed nerves. Whatever the reason though, you have to be careful to control emotional eating, or it can lead to unwanted - and unhealthy - weight gain. When I Was Young Part 2... Wouldn't it be nice to go back to a time when life was easier, more fun and carefree? When the hardest decision you had to make was whether to trade your lunch-time pudding for a bag of animal crackers? Whether you consciously realize it or not, these nostalgic yearnings are often the cause of your sudden craving for your Mom's special shepherd's pie or your Dad's famous turkey soup. These foods comfort us because they are a direct link with the past - with a time when things were simpler. Eating some shepherd's pie may not make your life any easier, but it has the same effect that a call from an old friend might - it's familiar and as it's associated with a happy time in your life, it brings a certain measure of comfort with it. I've Got The Blues Chocolate is the ultimate emotional comfort food for the blues, for depression and for everything in-between. There is actually a scientific explanation for this: when we eat chocolate, it releases endorphins in our brain, which acts as an opiate. So the next time you're feeling a little down and you're craving a big chocolate brownie, it's just your body trying to find a quick, easy way to cheer you up! Unfortunately though, as comforting as it may, chocolate is not a cure, and a reliance on it as a mood lifter may lead to more problems than you realize. To find other ways to cheer yourself up and to deal with the blahs, check out these articles: www.ivillage.co.uk/health/ghealth/archive/0,,181034,00.html I'm Stressed! Research has found that when we get stressed, our bodies react by craving certain activities, including eating high-energy foods, such as sugar and fat. These foods temporarily calm down the body's stress response, giving the comfort food indulger a feeling of well-being. A problem of increasing concern, however, is that many people who are chronically stressed are trying to 'feed' their stress with comfort foods, which in turn is causing unhealthy weight gain, along with other serious health problems. So if you find yourself constantly under pressure, try to find alternative ways to manage your stress, rather than relying on the comfort of your favorite foods. ***************************** F. Healthy Comfort Foods? ***************************** I know it may sound like an oxymoron, but your favorite comfort foods don't have to be harmful to your health. You can substitute healthier alternative ingredients, such as using low-fat chicken broth in your mashed potatoes instead of butter or cream. Alternatively, you can also choose more healthy comfort food choices, such as a bowl of porridge or chicken noodle soup (you can add your favorite veggies for some extra added nutrients!). There are many ways you can make healthier choices, while still occasionally indulging in your favorite comfort foods. Here are a few articles and sites to help you on your way to health and comfort: http://www.aicr.org The American Institute for Cancer Research has a great recipe section and if you click on their 'publications' link, then 'brochures', you'll find a lot of great brochures on healthy comfort foods, healthy eating and living. http://www.cspinet.org/new/comfort.html An article on the dangers of many of our favorite comfort foods. http://www.eatingwell.com Check out their 'Nutrition' and 'Recipe' sections for some great articles and ideas. http://www.cbn.com/health/NaturalHealth/eating2.asp A short, interesting article on healthy eating - some good links from this site too! *************************** G. Comfort Food Recipes *************************** Soup is the perfect comfort food - it can be eaten by itself for a tummy and spirit-warming meal or it can be used as an ingredient in many familiar comforting recipes. As it is easy to use, and makes a delicious addition or substitution to traditional comfort foods, all the recipes below contain some variety of soup as an ingredient. **Note: Many of these recipes originally called for canned soup, I left them in, but if you'd like to substitute our Outrageously Good soups, I've also added the equivalent amount necessary. ********************************** Cheesy Ham and Hash Casserole ********************************** Serves 12 1 (32oz) package frozen hash brown potatoes 8 oz cooked, diced ham (optional if you'd like to make this vegetarian) 2 (10.75oz) cans condensed cream of potato soup (1 pouch O.G Creamy Potato Soup, prepared) 1 (16oz) container sour cream 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13in baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, mix hash browns, ham, cream of potato soup, sour cream and Cheddar cheese. spread evenly into prepared dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 3. Bake 1 hour in oven, or until bubbly and light brown. ****************************** Baked Macaroni and Cheese ****************************** Serves 6 This classic comfort food is endlessly versatile. This recipe can be made with either tomato soup or cream of mushroom, depending on your preference! 1lb elbow macaroni 1 (10.75oz) can condensed tomato soup (1/2 pouch O.G. Simply Tomato Soup, prepared with half water, half milk) OR 1 (10.75oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (1/2 pouch O.G. Cream of 3 Mushroom Soup, prepared) 1 1/4 cup milk (only if using canned condensed soup) 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1 tbsp garlic powder 8 tbsp butter, divided 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Pour in pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain. 2. In a large bowl, combine soup, garlic powder, cheese and 6 tablespoons butter. Stir in macaroni. 3. Pour into a 9 x 13in baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and dot with remaining butter. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Recipe Variations: The best part of this recipe is that you can add pretty much anything you want! Some suggestions: - A can of tuna - Onion, sliced or chopped - Mushrooms (you can never have too many =) **************** Classic Meatloaf ***************** Serves 6 1 1/2lb lean ground beef 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/2 pouch O.G. French Onion Soup mix 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup ketchup 2 tbsp steak sauce 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, stir together ground beef, crushed crackers, Cheddar cheese and onion soup mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, stir together eggs, ketchup, steak sauce until smooth. Stir in egg mixture into the beef mixture, adding a little water if necessary. Shape into a loaf and place in a 9 x 5in loaf pan. 3. Bake in oven 45-60 minutes, until no longer pink. **************** Chicken Pot Pie **************** Serves 8 1 9-inch double-crust pie crust 2 cups mixed vegetables, chopped 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, boiled 1 (10.75oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup (1/2 pouch O.G. Cream of Chicken Veloute Soup, prepared) 1 (10.75oz) can condensed cream of potato soup (1/2 pouch O.G. Creamy Potato Soup, prepared) 1 tsp dried thyme 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 9-inch pie dish with pastry. 2. Lightly steam mixed vegetables and drain. 3. Dice chicken and place in a large bowl. Add vegetables, thyme, cream of chicken soup and cream of potato soup. Stir together. 4. Pour filling into pastry lined pie dish. Arrange top layer of pie crust, seal and flute the edges. Cut slits in the top of the crust to allow for steam to escape. 5. Place pie on cookie sheet. Put aluminum foil around the pie crust edges. Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes and serve. Recipe Variations: - Replace the cream of chicken soup with your favorite 'cream of' soup, such as Cream of Broccoli or Cream of Mushroom - Add some spices of your choice, such as a few cloves of crushed garlic, some salt and pepper, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some added zing. ************************ Slow Cooker Beef Stew ************************ Serves 6 2 lbs lean beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes 1/3 cup dried bread crumbs 1 tsp salt 1/8 tsp ground black pepper 1 yellow onion, sliced 3 carrots, cut into thick strips 4 stalks celery, chopped 1 (4.5oz)can sliced mushrooms 2 medium potatoes, cubed 2 (10.75oz) cans condensed tomato soup (1 pouch O.G. Simply Tomato Soup, prepared) 1 cup beef broth 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp soy sauce 2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced 1. Combine bread crumbs with salt and pepper and toss with beef. Place coated beef cubes into a slow cooker and add onion, carrots, celery, basil, potatoes, mushrooms, soy sauce, tomato soup, garlic and broth. Stir well, cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours, or on high for 3-5 hours. ************************** F. Comforting Web Sites *************************** http://www.qotd.org The motto for this site is 'enlightenment, served daily' and I have yet to be disappointed! If you're looking for some daily inspiration delivered straight to your in box, or just looking for some words of comfort, visit this site! This site has a great database of quotes that you can search through, or you can sign up for their daily quotes - a new inspiring theme each day. http://sulger.net/soundsculptures/ I accidentally stumbled on this site and I can't get enough! You can listen to the relaxing sounds of nature - falling rain, waterfalls, morning birds, and many more (I'm currently enjoying 'Water's Edge') http://www.feelgoodstories.com/ The name says it all. If you want a 'feel good' pick-me-up, this is a great site to visit. Inspiring stories, quote, books and thoughts. Research Links More on Comfort Foods: http://www.bluesuitmom.com/food/jorj/comfortfood.html eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-07/uoia-gpi070203.php themediadrome.com/content/articles/food_articles ** I couldn't fit the whole URL, but click on the 'comfort foods' link to access a great article on the origins of comfort food) http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_recipes_soups_chilis/article ** This link will take you to a listing of more soup related articles than you will ever need - but check out the 4th one down "Soup is Everyone's Comfort Food") Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) links: http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-sad.html http://www.sada.org.uk Stress and Depression links: http://www.mindtools.com/smpage.html http://gourmetconnection.com/news/bin/dgm.cgi?ID=540 http://depression.about.com/od/copingskills/ *************************** G. People Pleasing Soups *************************** "The potato soup was the best mix I had ever tried, great texture and flavor, like homemade." Nicole Reeves, SC "Even though I am a huge soup lover I was a little skeptical about the Cream of Carrot & Dill soup that came in my Creamy Soup Sampler...all I can say is WOW!!! It is fantastic! I will definitely be ordering more. Thank you for making such a great tasting and healthy product." Tammy Milius, VA "Your products are the best! I love to cook and my waistline proves that I like to eat. Your products are like my favorite restaurant, I know that I will be pleased after each visit" Robert Rowe, NJ ************************************* H. People Pleasing Tingling Tortilla ************************************* "I tried the Instant Tortilla soup - it was outstanding!!! Easy to prepare and just perfect for a cold winter evening by the fire!!! This is a great find - it's on my list of Favorites! Good job and keep up the good work!" Badri Narayan, PA "The Tortilla soup was awesome. I have never tried a soup like this before - the little granules of garlic were zingy. I will definitely try this soup again." Cheryl Koch, BC "I added a packet of the tortilla soup to something I was making (don't remember what because I'm always making new things) and it gave the dish a great Mexican taste and consistency. Thanks!" Coni Denny, NY ********************************** I. Customer's Recipes Corner ********************************** Share your latest creations or favorite recipes with us - just go to http://www.ed-foods.com/feedback.html Tomato Mac & Cheese Simply add 1 cup boiling water to an envelope of O.G. Instant Tomato and mix in with your cooked Macaroni and Cheese! Margaret Hedlund, MI (**Author's note - I LOVE adding ketchup to my Mac & Cheese - guess it's my comfort food - I tried this version and would just like to say that it's delicious!) Chili Mac Cook the O.G. Chili in a crockpot, adding in a can of tomatoes, and pasta. Top with shredded Cheddar cheese and serve. Marjorie Vandestadt, OH ********************** J. Short and Sweet! ********************** "Very happy with your Service, Soups and nice E-Mails" Peggy Harmel, AZ "Easy to make and great flavor! I'm glad I tried your products!" Dina Haines, KY "Amazing! Perfect! I always eat it - my favourite!" Dawn Boyd, NS *************************** K. Quote of the Month *************************** "Our order arrived this Tuesday and it was like Christmas all over again. The box was packed with our soups and extra goodies too!! There was so much to choose from, but we finally decided to have a bowl of mushroom soup and it was truly awesome. My favourite thing is your large packages - we are a family of six, so that means opening 5 cans of soup to feed us, which becomes very expensive. Its truly been a wonderful experience." Jeanine & Gerry, AB L. ========The Last Word ======= ===15 Things it Took Me Over 50 Years to Learn=== ============== By Dave Barry =============== 1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. 2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings". 3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". 4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them. 5. You should not confuse your career with your life. 6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. 7. Never lick a steak knife 8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip. But it's a lot of fun and you can find out a lot. 9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time. 10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment. 11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven. 12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers. 13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.) 14. Your friends love you anyway. 15. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. ======================================== If you enjoyed this newsletter - or ever just parts of the newsletter - of course we want you to send it on to your friends! That's what makes the internet so much fun! And don't forget to let them know which of our soups is your personal favorite! It's just too good not to share! Thanks again! S.======= Well that's all for now folks =========== ---------------------------------------------------------------- Keep good things happening in your life, and we'll try to keep good things happening on our site! ************************************************************ Leslie, Kelly, Denis (and all the other Folks at E.D. Foods) 1-800-267-3333 6200 Trans Canada Pte-Claire, QC H9R 1B9 Canada http://www.ed-foods.com mailto:edinfo@ed.ca ************************************************************ ===== Remove me from your list ============== ------------------------------------------------------------ You got this letter because you wrote us asked to be on the list - and/or ordered some of our great soup. If you don't want to receive any more of these newsletters, or want to change the email we're sending to - go to the site address at the very bottom and follow directions to unsubscribe/change address. It's fast, it's easy - and it works! We'll miss you - but we'll understand, we get too much email too! By the way, our list is for us only - I don't like it when someone gives my name away - so I won't ever give away yours! Kelly ******************************** (and the Folks at E.D. Foods) The Home of Simply Soup'r Soups! {*<*} {*>*} Looking out for our customers