June 2, 2026 – Ann is in OurLittleCorner today
We’re Anxious to Meet Her…
Below is a screenshot of a recent text exchange with my GenZ grandson Silas. Izzy, his girlfriend, and he are coming to see us in Glen Ellen (Note: I’m the blue one!).
I had absolutely no idea that “anxious” used the way I used it (as a pre-Baby Boomer) was not familiar to today’s younger generations.
I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. The word “anxiety” is so much in the news today – and Gen Z being an “anxious” generation has been written about so frequently (here’s a good article from the American Pschological Association), it’s no wonder that “anxious” wouldn’t be associated with anything positive.
The Guardian posted an excellent article a few months ago about how to help each generation ease their anxiety. For my “older generation” the following is one suggestion: “There is evidence that journalling may help“(does that include blogging?)…and “music is medicine: dancing in the kitchen, going to a Zumba class, being in a choir”.
The clip above is a great example of music doing its thing…reducing anxiety. As Colbert said his goodbye a few weeks ago, the music and the dancing made everything seem almost happy. (Of course, anything with Jon Batiste makes me happy! )
Since food is (often) the focus of our blog, I thought I’d look into ways that food might help anxiety, and I found a number of fairly recent studies on that topic. Here’s a 2021 study – Nutrition as Metabolic Treatment for Anxiety – from researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Their summary: “Anxiety and other mental illnesses are metabolic diseases as much as they are psychological. And, in our opinions, metabolic diseases deserve metabolic medicine. Nutrition is one form of metabolic medicine, and one which patients and clinicians interact with every day. It is important to leverage this metabolic tool to better offer persons suffering with anxiety a full spectrum of relief.“
In 2024 The Cleveland Clinic published this article about food that may help with anxiety. Here are a few of the foods recommended:
- wild-caught salmon, anchovies and sardines, striped bass
- yogurt
- eggs
- high-fiber veggies such as broccoli, green peas, and artichokes
- beans and lentils
- chia seeds, flax seeds
On Facebook “Food Matters” posted this helpful chart with still more suggestions:
For a long time I’ve been wanting to post a favorite recipe of ours from Alton Brown for an edamame dip, so seeing edamame on the chart inspired today’s recipe. Edamame is high in magnesium, and magnesium is one of the minerals that may help anxiety. It’s also a mineral that quite a few of us don’t get enough of, according to a UCLAHealth article.
Hope you enjoy the edamame dip as much as we do – and, of course, I’ll be anxiously awaiting your response amped to get your vibe check (is that hip, Silas?)!
Edamame Dip
- 12 oz cooked and cooled edamame, about 2 cups
- 1/4 c diced onion
- 1/2 c tightly packed fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
- 1 large garlic clove, sliced
- 1/4 c freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
- 1 T brown miso
- 1 tsp Diamond kosher salt
- 1 tsp sriracha – or red chile paste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 5 T olive oil
Combine edamame, onion, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, miso paste, salt, chile paste, and pepper in a food processor and process for 15 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then process for another 15 to 20 seconds.
While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the oil until fully integrated. Scrape down the bowl again, then process for another 5 to 10 seconds. Adjust seasoning as desired.
Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
This whole article was a vibe check! 🤩. Love it! And I’ll be looking forward to that edamame dip and wine soon! 😏🍷🐶🫛
Andy here: so now you know that I’m not the only “dip” in our household. We will let you know when the next edamame batch is ready.
When I was at Kira’s house a few months ago I saw a chart of nutrition Tina had put up and edamame was at the center (best overall)! – moss
Andy (grandpa) here: good to know that edamame has such a good rep, especially when it tastes so darned good.
Hmmm. A good fraction of the recommended foods are among those recommended to bulk up and soften the stool. One wonders what may be making anxious folks anxious.
Andy here: Good point. Maybe constipation is the anxiety-producing culprit.
It is funny that no one ever uses the word anxious to meet excited now. I think Doechii’s video is very of the moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riCP9x31Kuk
glad i got to be part of the blog 🙂
Andy here: the problem with being a part of our blog is the danger of it going viral and you becoming a reluctant celebrity. But we’re glad too.
Like Andy’s contribution this time, this too Ann is (as usual) both instructive and an ‘easy’ read. I can’t get edamame here (had never heard of it actually) but, thinking back to our our now long ago amateur production of the musical ‘Mame’, I should be able to remember it now.
clk
Thanks for the comment. Edamame is really nothing more than soy beans, which should be available down under. We will be anxious to hear if you can find them.