Comments on: Teatime–for Body and Soul

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:07:30 +0000

Sometimes it’s not what I eat or drink but how I do it that counts. You’re right–it’s a soothing experience–to sip a little tea mid-afternoon or anytime I’m feeling stressed.

By: susan

susan — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:09:29 +0000

I love the idea of teatime, but the consistency of it is what I struggle with. Somehow it sets the tone for the rest of the day when there is a pause where I can lightly indulge, clear my mind and rest my body. Thanks for the reminder, Pam.

By: sandy ray oldfield

sandy ray oldfield — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:58:46 +0000

oh, pam, remember all those long ago cups of tea? i still try to take time out, even if it’s in a mug rather than one of my beautiful, old, fragile china cups. i more often drink herbal tea now and usually have a few nuts or nibbles, instead of a cocktail or wine. then i get to have a glass of the latter with my dinner and the edge is a little off my appetite. and my 32 year old son keeps a teapot at work and has converted others in his office to share a cup. i just gave him his great grandmother’s sterling teaball, my way of passing along tradition!

By: Mike V @ DadCooksDinner

Mike V @ DadCooksDinner — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:57:43 +0000

What a great idea! Every day, when our kids get home from school, they have a snack to tide them through until dinner. Why can’t we give ourselves a little treat as well?

Of course, for us the pause to relax may be more important than the treat.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:27:11 +0000

Cookies helped my Mom get thin.

I know, it’s crazy…right?

I’ve heard Mom share this little piece of wisdom she’s acquired with many people over the years—to mixed response. Some people say, “Oh I work at an office, I can’t do teatime.” Other people say, “I absolutely LOVE that idea, but I don’t think I could stop myself after one or two cookies.” She also gets, “I don’t like tea, and I am not a big sweets person” and finally, “I am trying to lose weight, there is no way I am eating cookies everyday!”

I haven’t adopted the teatime ritual with as much gusto and my mom, dad, and sister. I don’t really like tea all that much—sometimes it’s delicious, but on a less-than-full stomach it makes me feel a bit nauseated. (And last week’s post revealed what a coffee-lover I am.) I’ve also found that, although I am no great lover of sweets, the more often I eat them, the more often I want them.

So, for me, teatime is not my daily ritual. The wider point here is not that everyone should adopt teatime, but just that we should all take some time during the day to have a little peace and quiet—away from the noise of life—and just enjoy a few moments to ourselves.

I love ritual, but I don’t love schedules. So, I try to take time to do something—though not necessarily the same thing—everyday, just for me. That might be a few moments spent alone in our campus chapel, a gin and tonic on the back porch with my roommate, an afternoon stroll with Tony, a long bath, or an indulgent mid-afternoon movie.

Of course, life happens, and rituals must be flexible. So, I shoot for most days. So far, so good.

By: Maggy Keet

Maggy Keet — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:21:45 +0000

You’re right mom, the world would probably be a better place if everyone took a few minutes out in the afternoon to put their feet up and enjoy a cup of tea with a little sweet treat. Most people will probably say they don’t have time – I might even be one of those people – but I am also someone who knows, “you make time for what’s important.”

With a Brit husband, Andy and I have tea throughout the day. It’s a different type of ritual and serves a different purpose, but we’ve just lost the sitting down and being quiet part (which is probably the most crucial element). I’m usually tapping away on the computer, standing at the kitchen counter prepping dinner or racing out the door with tea in a to-go mug.

You have definitely made a more conscious effort to stop what you’re doing and sit down during tea time, forcing us all to do the same. We should be kinder to ourselves. Pause is important in life. It’s often those moments where I find my greatest inspiration–that’s worth sitting down for.

And who can say no to a cookie? Or one of these Apricot-Cherry Bars? Pas moi.