Positive-Giving Foods: How the Kitchen Can Be a Sanctuary for the Soul

Let’s be honest: cooking doesn’t always feel joyful. Sometimes it's more about what’s quickest, cleanest, or whatever’s left in the fridge. But when we pause, when we cook or bake with care — the kitchen can become something entirely different: a space of calm, creativity, and quiet confidence.

And yes, a perfect place to rock your favourite positive sweatshirt or affirmation tee while you whip up a little magic.

Cooking as a Form of Self Care

There’s growing research that shows how cooking and baking can help reduce anxiety and improve mood. Psychologists often refer to it as a "behavioural activation" - a fancy term for doing something with your hands that brings reward and satisfaction. It helps you focus. It pulls you into the present moment. It gives you a sense of completion (because yes, finishing a loaf of bread is absolutely an accomplishment).

In other words: the simple act of making something nourishing can help you feel more nourished, too.

And it’s not just about the food itself. It’s the rituals: the stirring, the tasting, the warmth of the oven, the scent of herbs in your hands. It’s grounding. Creative. Even meditative.

So no - you don’t need to be a master chef. You just need to show up, open-hearted, and maybe a little hungry.

Foods That Give Back (To Mood & Mind)

Certain foods have been linked to improved mood and emotional balance — not just because of nutrients, but because of how they feel to make and eat. Here are a few of our favourites to keep in mind when you’re looking to add a little more positivity to your plate:

🥑 Avocados – Rich in healthy fats, folate, and feel-good B vitamins. Try them smashed on toast with lemon and chili, or blend into a creamy smoothie base.

🍫 Dark chocolate – A little square of this can go a long way. It contains compounds that boost serotonin and dopamine — aka, the brain’s natural happiness chemicals. Bonus points if you melt it into a warm drink or drizzle it on something fruity.

🌾 Whole grains – Think oats, quinoa, brown rice. These steady-energy foods help keep your blood sugar (and mood) balanced. Stir up a comforting bowl of porridge with cinnamon and nut butter, or try a warm grain salad with roasted veg.

🍓 Berries – Bright, juicy, and packed with antioxidants. They’re a burst of colour and joy on any plate. Scatter them over yogurt, blend them into a smoothie, or eat them straight from the punnet on a sunny step.

🍠 Root veg & earthy ingredients – Sweet potatoes, carrots, beets — these grounding ingredients are naturally sweet and deeply satisfying. Roast them, mash them, or toss them into a vibrant traybake with olive oil and rosemary.

🥜 Nuts – A satisfying crunch with serious benefits. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews are rich in healthy fats, protein, and micronutrients that support brain health and mood. Snack on them raw, sprinkle over salads or porridge, or blend into a creamy nut butter for an instant lift.

And of course, the most important ingredient? Intention. Making something that feels good to you in the moment is always the right choice.

Kitchen as Ritual, Not Routine

Try this: before you start cooking, light a candle. Open the window. Put on music that makes you feel expansive. Let your apron be your armour. Let your chopping board be your canvas. Let this be your time.

You don’t need a full recipe. Just a sense of what feels good. Roasting veggies. Mixing dough. Layering colours. Adding love with every stir.

And if you’re wearing a Glass Half Full Sweatshirt while doing it? Even better. Clothes, like food, carry energy - and what we choose to wear while we nourish ourselves matters too.

Final Thought: Nourish Like You Mean It

Cooking isn’t always easy. But it can be healing. It can be grounding. It can be an act of rebellion in a world that glorifies fast everything.

So whether you’re baking something beautiful, tossing together a nourishing bowl, or just sitting with a hot drink made slowly - that’s positivity in action.

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