PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Dinner might be doing more than just filling you up.
Across the country, a growing number of people are turning to something called “cooking therapy,” using everyday time in the kitchen as a way to support their mental health.
At the center of that movement is Debra Borden, a licensed clinical social worker and author from Boca Raton who’s gaining national attention for blending food and feelings in a practical way.
Borden visited ARC Florida on April 24, where she showed how cooking can go beyond a daily routine and become a tool for managing stress and building confidence.
During her visit, she prepared what she calls a “Spring into Serenity Salad,” made with ingredients like spiralized zucchini noodles, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, avocado, red onion, and a simple olive oil and lemon dressing.
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But for Borden, the recipe is about more than what goes into the bowl. Each step is tied to a mindfulness practice. As she separates the zoodles, she encourages people to picture untangling stress. Peeling a cucumber becomes a moment to reflect on shedding negativity, while chopping vegetables into smaller pieces is a reminder to break overwhelming problems into more manageable parts.
Even the ingredients carry meaning. Tomatoes, she said, can represent growth and change, while olives highlight the importance of accepting life’s ups and downs. Chopping onions, which often bring tears, becomes a way to acknowledge emotions instead of holding them in. Adding a final sprinkle of cheese is meant to symbolize bringing more positivity and gratitude into daily life.
Her approach doesn’t require special training or complicated recipes. Instead, it focuses on being intentional in the moment, paying attention to the sound of chopping vegetables, the smell of ingredients coming together, or the rhythm of stirring.
For those looking to try it, Borden recommends starting small with berries and yogurt.
Dinner might be doing more than just filling you up. Across the country, a growing number of people are turning to something called “cooking therapy.” (WPEC)
You can watch the full interview above.
Dining and Cooking