There are days when the only thing that makes sense is chopping an onion. Not talking about it. Not journaling. Just grabbing a chef’s knife and a cutting board and letting muscle memory and aromatics do what therapy can’t. I’ve learned that when the world feels too loud, I don’t need to shout back … I need to simmer something.

I used to think the only way to turn a day around was to escape it. Take a walk. Buy a latte. Watch something mindless. But somewhere between grad school papers and military mom stress, I discovered something better: sauce. The kind that starts with sautéed beef and onions and ends with a ladle of warmth over carbs. When I make this Hearty Tomato Basil Beef Sauce, I don’t rush. I dice the onion like it matters. I smell the garlic as it hits the oil. I tear the basil slowly. I let the sauce bubble and blur the sharp edges of my day. Something about stirring a pot makes me feel like I’m still steering the ship. Even if it’s just dinner.

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Hearty Tomato Basil Beef Sauce

Perfect for pairing with pasta, rice, or spooning over roasted veggies.

What You Will Need:

• ½ pound ground chuck (80% lean)
• ¾ cup diced white onion (about 1 small)
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

What You Will Need To Do:

1. In a medium pot, sauté ½ pound ground chuck and ¾ cup diced onion over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in ½ tablespoon garlic powder, ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef.
3. Add 2 cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes, 2 minced garlic cloves, and ¼ cup torn fresh basil. Break up the tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and fragrant.
5. Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve warm.

Maybe it’s not about fixing the day. Maybe it’s about finding something in the middle of the chaos that reminds you you’re still here. You still have a say. You can still chop an onion, stir a pot, and create something nourishing. Not every bad day needs a big solution. Some just need a simmering sauce and the comfort of something homemade. This is mine. What’s yours? What do you do to shift your mood when everything feels off? Is it a dish, a ritual, a playlist, a walk? I’d love to know.

Gracefully yours,

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Reference
Niequist, S. (2024). Celebrate Every Day. Zondervan.