Have you ever wondered why it is that certain holiday dishes take you back in time and fill you with comfort? It’s because our senses of smell and taste are close to the memory center of our brains—these senses are hardwired to trigger memories.
When we taste a dish that we’ve eaten every year of our lives during the holiday season, we’re flooded with memories of childhood, reminded of our favourite aunt, a family pet, even certain music played during the season.
Of course, not all memories are pleasant ones. Tastes and smells can also stir up challenging feelings associated with harder childhood experiences. In these instances, it’s OK to let go of certain traditions in order to leave those memories in the past, and create space for new flavours.
If you're looking for inspiration to add to your favourites or create new ones, my recipes are a great place to start.
