Pass the bag of Nestle Crunch and those Famous Amos cookies please. Or maybe a pint of Ben& Jerry’s Everything but the . . . ice cream and a dozen of mini cupcakes. These are my go-to’s when I stress eat. 

 

Why? It’s vert simple, the sugar rush makes me feel better. However, I know this isn’t good for me. (even though it tastes really good) 

 

As a way to combat my stress eating, I exercise 4-5 times a week, up to 3 hours each time. As I am a snacker or grazer during the day, I switched to heather items like almonds, carrots, bananas, apples celery, grapes, plums and occasionally popcorn. I could’ve just said healthier snacks, but what’s the fun in that? 

 

One of my stressors is life changes. Anything that is going to provoke an intense emotional response, like moving, family reunions, or natural disasters will send me to the store for comfort food.

 

Breathe. A better way to handle life’s little changes is breathing. Deep breathing for 60 seconds reminds the body that you’re alive and in control. For one minute all you have to do is breathe.

 

Knitting. Not only is this soothing, but it keeps my hands busy. You can’t eat if your hands are full. lol. Besides, it’s something productive and I’ve made plenty of scarves, hats, and blankets for loved ones.

 

Water. Yes, good ol’ fashioned H2O. Often dehydration can be the culprit of stress. Not sure if you’re drinking enough, try drinking half your body weight in ounces and see if you feel better.

 

Exercise. This one is huge for me. Not only has this helped reduce my stress level, but it boosts my mood. And as I’ve gotten serious about shedding the extra pounds my energy level is up and my self-image is through the roof. I’m sexy and I know it

 

Baking. I know this one may seem counterproductive, especially as a way to not stress eat, but I love to bake. Often i do it just because it’s so relaxing. Where else can you pummel dough and still have something good to show for it?

 

I’ve given you a few tried and sure methods which work for me. What are some of your go-to’s to avoid stress eating? 

 

“Indulge In Your Inner Romantic”

 

When I saw this week’s prompt two things popped into my head. The movie The Wedding Ringer and a scene from Golden Girls. The first is the reception scene where everything goes wrong and the groomsmen are forced to break out their hidden talents which consist of one taking off his shirt to show off his physique, one dislocating his shoulder and another who can speak backward. In the second is where Blanche ties the stem of a cherry into a knot with her tongue.

 

Unfortunately, my odd talent is nowhere near as fascinating, hilarious or traumatizing as the ones mentioned. Two things, I can do is turn my tongue sideways, something I’ve been able to do since I was a kid and the other is puns. Puns are such a lost art form and a dying breed of humor. My dad and I will go back and forth with these until we run out or someone, usually, another family member, begs for mercy.

 

It starts off with a simple enough joke; Why did the maple tree cross the road?

Answer: I’ll go out on a limb and say it was the chicken’s day off. Or

The tree got in a sticky situation. Or

It needed to uproot itself. Or

Maybe it was being sapping and pining away. Or

it just had to leaf.

See how they just stick out for me or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Darn, I think I’m stumped now. Maybe I can pulp out one more. Whew, that last was a real ringer or knot.