When people are asked to define comfort foods, the answer is variable. There are as many variations to the answer as there are individuals who are asked the question. What makes something a comfort food while others are not? Is it related to diet or type of recipe? Is it related to region or country?

At a restaurant, a waitress was asked the question of what she thought of when she was asked about comfort foods. She did not hesitate to answer, "Oh, meat loaf and potatoes, green beans. Stuff like that." When asked to describe how she came to her answer, she said, "These are the things that I had growing up at family meals." It appears she related to meals that she had at home with family.

Comfort foods remind people of home and family. It is food that gives them comfort, a sense of family and home. People think of family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions. It does not necessarily have to do with a secret family recipe (although the secret might be that eating gives members of the family a warm feeling of home). It is not surprising that everyone has an image of a family meal.

Yahoo! News Search Results for Comfort Foods
Yahoo! News Search Results for Comfort Foods

Skid Row to Hip in Toronto (New York Times)
Rawlicious, a ?living foods? cafe in the Junction section of Toronto. The area is enjoying a post-industrial revival.
Green adds another level of comfort (Centennial Citizen)
When Mike Miller?s employees and other tenants in the building began complaining about the shoddy lighting conditions in their offices and hallways, he did what many business owners are starting to do: He went green.
Tierra Sana turns to Forest Hills residents for advice (YourNabe.com)
For Forest Hills resident Victor Fiallo, Tierra Sana was meant to become a community cornerstone where residents could congregate, listen to musicians and poets and eat healthy foods that helped people migrate away from preservatives.
Boost your mood foods and a nutrition stimulus plan for families (WDBJ 7 Roa...
As Americans tighten their belt during the economic downturn, they can also reduce their waistline choosing healthy, nutritious food for their family.
Whoopie pies rule in Bath (The Times Record)
BATH ? The Maine that?s celebrated during Bath Heritage Days is known for a lot of things that, for the most part, you can?t get anywhere else.
Life after General Motors: communities in crisis rebuild for a bright future ...
MONTREAL - The resurrection of the Chevrolet Camaro remains a sore point for many former General Motors workers near Montreal, but Quebec's last automotive town has discovered it's better off in some ways without the troubled carmaker.
WATER'S EDGE (New York Post)
WHO needs sprinklers? After a long soggy June, that quick summer cool-off has lost its charm, at least for now. Give us the beach. When it's hot and humid, there's nothing like a dip in the ocean. But which beach is best for the whole family? We...
APS training program helped caterer develop (The Arizona Republic)
Diane Golay-Eicher always enjoyed owning her own business, but a 2001 training program with Arizona Public Service Co. helped her focus and develop what she calls ''the Valley's premier corporate caterer.''
New poll shows Americans gaining weight amidst recession (Lexington Clipper-H...
(ARA) - Belts are tightening across the country as the recession lags on. As wallets get flatter, Americans are getting fatter according to one new study. A June Gallup-Healthways poll found the number of obese Americans increased by 5.5 million people in the last year.
2009/07/03 (The New Straits Times)
Yorkshire?s Toad In A Hole (left). Yorkshire?s sausages. An island where lethargy and complacency will never find a home, KITTY KAYE revels in its buzz and above all, its fresh, quality-filled flavours.