Stressed at Dinnertime

Posted on by Miriam

Did you know that ‘desserts’ spelled backwards becomes ‘stressed’?

How crazy is that.  After all, there’s nothing stressful about enjoying a luscious delicacy and there really is no better way to finish a meal.

Over the weekend we enjoyed a family get together to celebrate my father-in-law’s 83rd birthday at Macedon.

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This was my creation … a peach and berry tart which is always a hit with the family.  My mother-in-law baked an old fashioned and delicious Queen Pudding, complete with luscious peaks of white meringue and filled with fresh strawberries and jam.

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Queen Pudding is one of hubby’s favorite desserts.

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I can’t believe there was one piece left.  But not for long.

On the Sunday our extended family lunch was completed by a wicked Pavlova, covered in cream, strawberries and chocolate.  So much sweetness – all in moderation for me.

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I’ll be honest, for me desserts are a treat and not something I indulge in very often.

However, after a pretty full on and stressful week it was comforting to celebrate a meal with the people I love most in my life.

I’m not generally one for emotional eating.  When I’m feeling down I try to turn to other comforts rather than sweet food.

Here’s what I prefer to do:

  1. Take myself and Harry for a walk outside, in nature and in the fresh air.
  2. Play some music, nice and loud, and lose myself in a bit of dancing.
  3. Write in my Gratitude Diary and find moments of joy during the day.
  4. Play my guitar or escape into a feel good inspirational book.
  5. Call someone I haven’t spoken to in a while and have a laugh.

When we can turn our stresses into desserts we’re doing okay.

However I must confess to a weakness for dark chocolate.  And I’m off to get some!

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I wish you all a sweet and balanced week ahead.  Love lots, laugh hard and enjoy it all.

In response to The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge – Dinnertime

82 thoughts on “Stressed at Dinnertime”

  2. Yummy photos of the sweets. Happy belated 83rd birthday to your father-in-law. Quite a milestone and I hope he had a great day. Hope it wasn’t too cold up there in Macedon. It is quite warm still here in Melbourne where I am 🙂

    That pavlova sure does look wicked. It’s been a while since i had that dessert 🙂

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  6. I’m not much of a dessert person either. Having said that, I definitely have a slice (or two) of the pavlova!
    Glad you had a great weekend with the family, Miriam. I hope this week brings you much happiness xx

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  12. I, too, love dark chocolate. I keep a stash hidden behind the coffee (no one here drinks coffee but me). And I don’t overindulge in it because usually, I forget it’s there! But when I have a craving… I remember and I grab a little piece! Then I forget again because my memory really is terrible! 🙂

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  15. It all looks really great and yummy yummy………………and home made, looks as if you had a great family week end, its the family that counts not the calories, you can dance them of, speaking of dance and music I hope you have seen my Music and words awards post, your nominated……….please have a look and share some music with us ?

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  19. Your peach and berry tart and Queen pudding look delicious. I am not a dessert person (here desserts are classified as puddings), but I love cake (as you have probably gathered by now). When I’m stressed I like to bake, there is something about focussing on the process and making something delicious that helps me feel better. I hope you had a lovely weekend with the family. Happy belated birthday to your father in law. I hope you have a wonderful week 🙂

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    1. Thanks Lindsay, I agree that baking can be therapeutic, I feel much the same way when I’m focused on the task of creating something I know the family will enjoy. Enjoy your week my friend. 🙂

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  22. I enjoyed reading your post, Miriam. I wish I could bake any kind of cake or desert! It looks delicious! 🙂 Somehow, playing guitar makes feel more sad. I find writing to be a good outlet to forget everything else. Or watch a light movie or listen to ‘happy’ music. And when nothing works – there’s chocolate. 🙂

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  24. This was a really thoughtful and mindful post about a topic that’s particularly sensitive for me. I really love the gentle way you speak about allowing for some emotional eating once in awhile, accepting that it happens in moderation from time to time and it’s ok, but there are other ways that you prefer to deal with stress. Your words and your sentiments are so beautiful and reflect such a mature self-compassion!!! I am trying to cultivate the same self-compassion for myself when it comes to my eating, especially when it comes to eating foods that I label as “bad” or when I diverge from my recommended meal plan. Desserts are a weakness of mine, and I’ve actually been working on a post about it, too. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective! It’s healthy, balanced, and all together lovely.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words and lovely comment, I’m glad they resonated with you and that you were able to take something positive away from them. Warmest wishes to you Lulu. xox Hugs

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  25. I try to avoid emotional eating as well, but like you, give in to it once in a while. (And that tart you made would be just the ticket!) But I really like the other ways you deal with stress…so positive and healthy! I hope to copy some of those.

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  26. The desert does look great. My stress food is definitely liquid. Re the chocolate – my father worked for Cadbury for 40 years and we had a chocolate cupboard! Never let it be said ( in our House) that chocolate wasn’t good for you. Think I have to de stress more on the treadmill more. i like your walk the dog and music options.

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  27. How delicious it all looks! Yum!

    Happy birthday to your father-in-law. 🙂

    I did know that, about stressed and desserts, isn’t that funny? The other one that makes me chuckle is naïve and the bottled water, Evian, are the reverse of each other.

    I’m so glad you got to enjoy those sweet moments of food, and family. ❤

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  28. I am so hungry now!! And those pictures look absolutely yummylicious ! Belated birthday wishes to your wonderful father-in-law 🙂 I have never heard or thought about the desserts reversal into stressed 😀 What a contrast! I love your remedies for the off-mood periods 🙂 Calling someone whom we have not been in touch with seems such a wonderful idea. I should try that next time. Hope the week is treating you well 🙂 Two more days and its the weekend! Yeaay 🙂

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    1. Yeah, I did that yesterday. Phoned a girlfriend I hadn’t spoken to in ages and had a great conversation. It’s Friday here and the weekend beckons! Enjoy the rest of your week and the weekend as well Minaxi. ♥♡

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  31. Yummy desserts, Miriam. I would have taken a few bites of each ones even if I don’t have a sweet tooth. In order to de-stress, I also seek other comforts, such as long walks in nature, a warm bath, and a piece of dark chocolate with a tea… Reading sweet blog posts like this one brings much inspiration too.

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    1. Hi Dominique, well firstly I have to say how impressed I am that you found this “stressed and desserts” post after our chat on IG the other day. I couldn’t even find it! It’s more than three years old! Secondly, I still love my peach and raspberry tart, though, like you, most days I’ll just reach for that piece of dark chocolate and cup of tea. And I’ll go for a walk! Thanks so much for reading this post and your lovely comment. Hope you’re having a great weekend. xx

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      1. Haha… I’m an expert in using the “Search button”! And I’m really glad to have taken the time to do the research. Always a real pleasure to read you Miriam. Cheers my friend. xxx

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        1. You’re so kind Dominique. Thank you again my clever and beautiful friend. I’m so happy to have connected with you, both here and on Insta. Cheers back. xx

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