I really loved this chapter. It was such a wonderful reminder to identify and be thankful for the delights in life, whether they are big or small. It was also a reminder that there are treats built into every day life. So here are, in no particular order, a list of the delights and treats I have enjoyed in the last week:
*quality time with husband
*catching up with a friend on the phone
*sitting in sunshine
*wrapping myself in my TranquiliT clothes – I heart soft bamboo fabric
*enjoying salted almond chocolate oatmeal bars
*savasana after a satisfying yoga practice
*legs up the wall
*delighting in my colored pens
This was a particularly good chapter for me to read right now as my life is both short on time and traditional treats that include a little sugar or chocolate. You see, I am currently on a very restricted diet, which includes no-wheat/no-sugar/no-dairy/no-eggs/no-caffeine – so yeah, cupcakes and macarons went from being occasional treats to never-ever treats. At other points in my life, when I was short on time, I would take 10 minutes and have a chai at Starbucks and feel renewed. Now, this is less of an option. As for time, many treats I enjoy take time (like going to an indie film, taking an afternoon or evening to collage, going to museums, watching TV shows like Castle or Grey’s Anatomy or Glee), so this chapter was a good reminder to enjoy the treats I can have anytime, no matter how busy things get.
To check out other people’s perspectives on treats, see Jamie Ridler’s online bookclub, The Next Chapter on The Joy Diet: Ten Daily Practices for a Happier Life by Martha Beck.
Disclosure: while I purchase all my TranquiliT items and have done so and blogged about the line for a long time, as of July 2009, I am both a member of the TranquiliT Tribe and an Affiliate.
General Disclosures & Disclaimers
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I had stopped thinking of my yoga poses as treats but they truly are. Thank you for the reminder.
What wonderful treats you had given yourself this week! Hmmm… I think I'm going to have to indulge in some salted almond chocolate oatmeal bars…..
city girl, your posts always make me smile. this weekend i will delight in some pen-spiring time as well. xo, kaileenelise
I thought of doing Tai Chi in my list, mindful movement is so delicious. Can relate to your diet restrictions – the recipe is one I want to try – & will visit here again!
I'm making a pumpkin soup for a Hallows party tomorrow, & a friend is modifying a pumpkin roll recipe so I can share the 'left overs' with my dau & her family
Want ta come out & Play?
it was my treat to read this post (and all of your posts!). have a fabulous weekend!!
I love your list of treats and the way that you were able to interweave this chapter in to your life. Thank you so much for sharing, City Girl.
The salted almond chocolate oatmeal bars sound divine!!!
This is such a great shift or expansion on the treats of Halloween. Love this post.
Thanks for the recipe for the oatmeal bars – I hope to try them. I know my diet is not the best – especially when it comes to sweets. Sometimes I go for a long time without eating a lot of them – lately I've been eating too much candy. And I don't think my stomach likes it.
Glad your week of treats was so enjoyable!
Nice list of treats. Thank you for sharing!
Ooh, joyful. But I guess that is the point? This happens to me every week… I do my podcast post about the topic and then (only AFTER) I read all the other posts and realize that I could have done things very differently and I just love the way you did this chapter! Good stuff!