VITTLE VIBES

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- DECEMBER 6, 2025

During the holiday season, food and drink play a major role. Having positive vibes associated with these vittles can be beneficial and fun all at the same time. 

 

It looks like cold weather is here to stay. The good news is that imbibing warm drinks is actually ideal during the winter. “The temperature of what we eat and drink may influence our mental and digestive health, according to new research led by San Diego State University.” 

 

Sipping that steaming liquid can really pay off. “Researchers found food and beverage temperature has measurable links to anxiety, insomnia, and gut discomfort. Participants who drank more hot beverages in winter reported lower levels of depression, improved sleep quality, and fewer digestive symptoms.” (https://www.sdsu.edu/news/2025/10/sdsu-study-links-food-and)

 

Verywellhealth.com reports other good news on the hot food front. Soup is the star of the show. An article proclaims: “5 Ways High-Protein Soups Can Support Your Weight, Muscles, and Satiety.” In addition to warming you innards, “...high-protein soups help support energy levels, weight management, and keeping your muscles strong.” (https://www.verywellhealth.com/high-protein-soups-11834487)

 

I gets better with the top choice. “Lean poultry like chicken or turkey breast adds high-quality protein without excess fat. Chicken noodle soup or turkey chili are classic examples that balance comfort and nutrition. ”Snow removal is easier if you know there's chicken soup in your future.

 

Another flavor that seems to be everywhere is pumpkin spice. It turns out that this may improve your health. “The classic spice blend combines cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, each offering health benefits that work individually or together to provide additional benefits.” The benefits includes improvements in brain health, circulation, and digestion. (https://www.verywellhealth.com/pumpkin-spice-benefits-11810338)

 

Be aware, though. There can be a downside to pumpkin spice everything. “Check the ingredient list: Look for blends that list only spices (e.g., cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice) without added sugars or fillers.” 

 

if a pizza party is on your holiday agenda, science comes to the fore. “The only thing that's better than a cold beer after a long Friday is having a whole pizza right next to it. The crisp bitterness and gentle sweetness of beer paired with the tangy tomato sauce, the gooey, melty mozzarella cheese, and (if you're a meat lover) the fatty, spicy kick of the pepperoni, is just too perfect to resist.” 

 

But why is this so? “If you've ever wondered why beer and pizza pair so well together, science may have the answer. Pizza and beer share an important ingredient, and that's yeast. The yeast creates the beer's natural carbonation, which, in turn, helps cut through the pizza's heaviness and oiliness while refreshing your palate at the same time. In addition, the beer's maltiness perfectly complements the warm, toasty flavor of the pizza crust.” (https://www.chowhound.com/2030197/why-pizza-and-beer-pair-well-science/)

 

As a sidelight, one state takes its yeast very seriously. “Oregon took a microscopic approach to state symbols when it named brewer’s yeast its official microbe in 2013. This tiny fungus, scientifically called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is the secret behind beer and bread.” 

 

This fact was in an article about state symbols. It's interesting how food and drink come into play. Take Nebraska, for example. “Nebraska takes pride in its sweetest invention: Kool-Aid. It was created in 1927, but In 1998, Nebraska made it the official state soft drink.” 

 

Other foods and drinks garner recognition for given states. In Maine, the official state treat is the Whoopie Pie. In Louisiana, the official meat pie is the Natchitoches (a deep-fried delight filled with seasoned pork and beef). The front runner, however, is milk. Twenty-two states have made this their official beverage.”  (https://www.theamericanfacts.com/article/Did-you-know-Kool-Aid-is-a-state-symbol-You-wont-believe-the-rest?)

 

A local oddity is that Michigan is one of the few states with no official food or beverage. If I had a vote, it would be Detroit Style Pizza (invented in 1946) and Vernors Ginger Ale (invented in 1866). 

 

Although unofficial, TastingTable.com compiled a list of the most iconic sandwiches in each state. For Michigan, the choice for Michigan was the seemingly pedestrian ham sandwich. “If you're thinking that Michigan would be content with a slab of plain ham slapped between two pieces of bland sliced bread, you have another thing coming. Michigan's ham sandwich is an elevated ham sandwich. The ham is honey-baked, light, airy, and piled high. It comes on a fresh onion roll and is flavored with mustard and swiss cheese.” All fifty are at: https://www.tastingtable.com/1942923/most-iconic-sandwich-every-state/. 

 

Finally, the Neff Zone Holidays page (https://www.neffzone.com/holidays/) has a nifty food link for the kidlings at: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/christmas-kids-recipes. You will find eighty-three recipes for youngsters. “Have some festive fun and make our Christmas recipes for kids, a selection of easy biscuits, cakes and treats that can be made by the smallest of hands.” 

 

 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.