Food for Thinking

     I admit,  its been a while since I've been in a working kitchen.  For many professional chefs, the stress and pressure of the restaurant environment is just another mystic surrounding the creation of artistic cuisine. It is widely known that a small amount of stress or pressure can help an individual perform better and I often find this true in my tendency to cook from scratch when I experience stress and tension.
     It may seem humorous that I willingly engage in an activity that will further tax my mind when I already feel overwhelmed but the physical act of planning and executing a well thought meal can be zen-like.  Forcing the mind to calculate, estimate, plan, and multitask always produces a positive reaction even from an act as simple as preparing a meal.  I often enjoy the process so much I refuse help from others so I can tirelessly run rampant in blinding flashes with knives, plates and ingredients in hand.  
     Since the process of eating will be commencing regardless, why not get the most out of it?  Planning meals with foods such as wild salmon, berries, nuts and whole grains, beans, olive oil, spinach, beets and garlic should also help you shed mental weight and stay stress free as these foods are proven to promote optimal brain health.  Foods containing vitamin C and E are also perfect for boosting memory.
     So next time you feel the pressure, hit the local farmers market.  A simpler release is hard to come by while sampling the offerings of your creative self.