Winters blues getting you down? Before you reach for that bottle of Prozac, hook into a drug that'll lift your spirits and warm your soul without all those nasty side effects: comfort food. I can't tell you the chemical reason, but something about a combination of starches, cheeses, creams, and dumplings can simulate a hug like no other food. So read on to find a little loving in your kitchen.

Quick treats
You don't need to be Julia Child to whip up some home-style goodness. Start small and simple with a few easy recipes:

Cinnamon toast
A perennial favorite on breakfast tables across the country, it's also nice on a cold winter night.

What you'll need:

White sugar
Cinnamon
Sliced white bread
Butter or margarine, softened
A toaster

1. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Tastes vary, so feel free to experiment with proportions. Start with about 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Mix and taste. Don't worry if you make too much for this batch: you can store the extra in a small jar for next time.
2. Put two slices of bread in the toaster. Brown to your liking. You've made toast! You're halfway there.
3. Spread each slice of toast with butter while the toast is still warm so it gets nice and melty.
4. Hold your buttered toast over the bowl of cinnamon sugar and sprinkle on some of the mixture with a spoon. Shake the toast from side to side over the bowl to distribute evenly, then tap the toast on the side of the bowl to knock off the excess. Voila! Cinnamon toast!