S.T.R.E.S.S.E D. Spelled Backwards is D.E.S.S.E.R.T.S.

EATING MY FEELINGS (my oh sooooooo many feelings)

DONUTS.

Each one a magnificent ring-shaped sampling of scrumptiousness.

My donut cravings show up a few times per year; precipitated by nothing but plain old burning desire. And when they do, I become fixated on where to get the very best ones. Sometimes it takes a great deal of patience on my part while I do my due diligence. But if it’s a “need it right now” situation good old Dunkin’ Donuts will do just fine.

While visiting a daughter in NYC I had THE most amazing donut. And I ached for that dream of dough for an entire year. Much to my delight, it was our Chrismukkah 2019 celebration when I was gifted not one, but two, of those coveted pastries. Hallelujah!

IN RECENT WEEKS, okay okay months, I’ve been chowing down. BIG TIME. I admit to polishing off more confectionary sweet treats outside of the prescribed quantity as I stress, worry, contemplate and lose sleep over, well, the state of our country, my family, COVID …need I spell in out for you? E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!

After hinting rather obviously, and suffering from major anxiety along with that burning desire as mentioned above, my darling husband brought home half a dozen of a variety pack of yumminess. Glazed, glazed old fashioned, chocolate glazed, double chocolate old fashioned, toffee cake, plain cake. And I sliced a modest section from each and every one.

Then, seconds  later, I continued to ration it out (to myself) … bit by bit, sprinkle by sprinkle, measurably and steadily … until only a glimmer of sugar and a speck of chocolate remained.

And I appreciated the single slice of Whole Food’s Berry Chantilly Cake my husband thoughtfully plated and surprised me with recently. Who am I kidding? As soon as that man heads upstairs to beddy-bye I am at the cake, no plate, knife in hand, gleefully slicing sliver after sliver. Who needs a plate? (Note to self: edible plates).

And all the other plateless, bowl-less goodies – like ice cream.. Who needs a bowl? Just the frozen pint, a jar of peanut butter and a spoon is all I need. (Note to self: edible spoons)

CHOCOLATE IS…

… an everyday thing for me. And well before the shit show of 2020… as essential as the air I breathe. Being an equal opportunity cocoa enthusiastic – I enjoy the fancy convections or drug store varieties. No one can call me a chocoholic snob.

But lately I am in rare form, whether adding handfuls of semi-sweet chocolate chips to my morning yogurt-granola combo or nestling them atop the peanut butter I’ve slathered on a banana. Or gobbling up chocolate bars calling my name from our freezer and devouring dark chocolate megasized bars on the way home from the grocery store. Hershey’s Chocolate kisses? Several smooches at a time.

Lest you think I am singularly devoted to the sweet, it’s worth noting that I am similarly captivated elsewhere. In the aftermath of heading down the sugary trail, and after I’ve either finished those last morsels or dumped the last remains, I tend to swoop down on the salty, savory prospects.  

RUFFLES POTATO CHIPS.

Warranting a quick trip to CVS I spy those ridged wonders. And without the scooping of onion dip to slow the process, I quickly pop that bag and wolf down the satisfying briny crunch.

And no introduction here – in plain words: FRENCH FRIES.

More specifically… McDONALD’S …or the heaps of fries served alongside my midafternoon snack of char-dog with mustard, relish, pickle and tomato.

And it’s with mouthwatering reminiscence that I fondly remember all the Mallomars, Ding-Dongs, Ho-Ho’s, M&Ms, Bugles –  and yes, Ruffles potato chips with onion dip – that were my after school indulgences.

Now, being all grown up, all I need is a spoon and a banana cream pie. And then … guacamole, taco crisps and a bowl of tangy olives. Spaghetti and meatballs from the previous night. Straight from the frig and my breakfast of champions.

Now circling back to my worries about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Cause the stress is real all y’all. Whether one leans more toward the sweet or toward the salty – or enjoys a bit of back-and-forth as a palate pleaser – we need to find some common ground. We need some healing for sure.

I mean, who among us can resist a mountain of golden, perfect-balance-of-crunchy-to-fluffy fries or a mouthful of creamy, melty, gooey, decadent, addictive chocolate?

We are more alike than we are different…

And I’ll eat to that!