By Rochelle Bilow for Bon Appétit.
Credit: Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriot
The one positive thing about being stressed is that you get a free pass to do things like eat melted cheese with a spoon or an entire (reasonably-sized) cake all by yourself. But what tastes good (salt, fat, carbs, all of the alcohol) doesn't actually help bust stress: That Gruyère and ganache can leave you bloated, fatigued, and with a serious food hangover--in worse shape than before your little bender. That's where Melissa and Jasmine Hemsley come in: The lifestyle bloggers-turned-cookbook writers (and OG spiralizers) have just written a new cookbook, Good + Simple, that's all about eating well for optimal health. They spoke with us about their favorite foods for dealing with stress.
Ginger Tea
"Bursts of caffeine can wreak havoc by upsetting the system," they explain. "That shot of espresso might make us wide awake and up for a moment, but we'll pay for it with our energy levels later on." Instead of downing coffee to deal with the stress of a busy day, they make ginger tea (technically a tisane!). Their favorite version has lemon, hot water, fresh ginger, and raw honey to sweeten.
Bone Broth
This is the backbone of all the Hemsley sisters' meals. They call it a "golden elixir for digestion, skin, hair and nails." Once they've made a big batch, they "love sipping it plain or lightly seasoned from a mug." They add that "no one wants to cook stressed," so it's good to have a big batch close at hand for hanger emergencies.
Coconut Dal
Holler if you order takeout when you're stressed. We're particularly fond of Indian--the combination of creamy, spicy sauces with mountains of naan is just what the doctor ordered. Except that it might not be--because when we're stressed we tend to order the heavier, creamy and carby dishes--and yeah, an entire basket of naan. The Hemsleys know how comforting a spicy stew is, though, and for that, they turn to a coconut dal. Theirs is made with coconut oil and milk, garlic and ginger, turmeric, and red lentils. A splash of tamari (wheat-free soy sauce) may not be traditional, but it adds depth and seasoning without salt. It's rich-tasting but still light. Plus, they explain, "it's a great recipe to prepare in bulk and freeze in portions for a rainy day."
Egg-Drop Soup
The Hemsleys call this fast soup a "hug in a mug." If you have broth on hand, it also happens to be extremely fast. Here's how to make it, per Jasmine and Melissa: "Just add in a big handful of greens, seasoning, a splash of tamari. Drop in an egg and some spinach and swirl it around. Finish with some chopped scallions and you have the ideal comforting supper for when you're strapped for time."
Dark Chocolate
Great news: The Hemsleys advocate chocolate consumption when stressed. But a serving of the good stuff is much more beneficial than a candy bar: "This [mood-boosting] effect is negated if the chocolate is made of and artificial additives."
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