How can I reward myself that isn't food or alcohol?

[CoffeeAndToffee]

I have always loved to sit down with a coffee and chocolate biscuit or cookie when I got 5 minutes peace from the kids. Recently my weight has crept up and I'm cutting out refined sugar to get back into shape again. However I feel like I'm missing out as I need something to enjoy when I finally get a chance to relax. What can I replace it with?

I still have the coffee, but need something more. It was something I looked forward to and felt was a reward for getting through the day without killing anyone...

Does anyone have a healthy treat they enjoy, perhaps in the evening once getting the kids down and being able to sit down and not be jumped on? Inspire me please!!

Tot of nice brandy in the coffee as an evening treat?

Oops just saw you said no alcohol! Ignore me

A cigarette? Can't think of much that's immediate other than the sugar and caffeine hit of a coffee and some chocolate biscuits otherwise. When I'm feeling crazy particularly health conscious I go do a yoga pose or some star jumps, but for the most part since I stopped smoking a while back I use it to eat something I fancy like chocolate or cheese and have a nice cold or hot drink. If you've got your hands free, having a quick shower always makes me feel 1000x better.

Instead of coffee could you occasionally have a mug of hot milk and cocoa (no sugar at all)? Obviously there's still the calories in the milk, but it fills you up as well, also feeling more like a treat. If it tastes too bitter at first, work your way up to it by starting with a little sugar and each time reduce until it's purely cocoa powder and milk. Normal hot chocolate tastes disgustingly sweet now.

Cup of lady grey tea with a drop of skimmed milk

Obviously served in my special bone China mug

Yoghurt and fresh fruit?

Nice manicure. Shape and paint your nails. Nice handcream, etc.

Shot of tequila?

Play a short game on your phone? I have the old fashioned solitaire card game on mine. Or 5 minutes having a go at a crossword or similar. Or a 5 minute wander round the garden with your cuppa in hand.

Some good suggestions here! I've bought a face mask which I'll try the next time I get an opportunity (I should say that I'm not really a 'pamper' sort of person, so it will either be hilariously unsuitable or I might just find a new favourite treat!) and I've a few grapes freezing now. Will report back! Thank you for all the suggestions, any other ideas welcome!

For frozen fruit, the bags of frozen dark cherries from pretty well any supermarket are absolutely delicious.

Palavah, do you have any suggestions of good protein-rich snacks? Cheese and crackers or a boiled egg are about as far as my healthy snack list reaches at the minute

I really recommend a 5 minute Adrienne yoga video. I did one recently and was thinking as I did it: this is meh, it's so short and basic it;s not worth bothering,. Then realised that for the rest of the day I had the most wonderful, calm, sustained energy. She's magic. Think I'll do one right now.

Natural yoghurt with nuts/seeds sprinkle
Celery sticks with peanut butter or spread in the crease
Hummus and crudités
Hummus/cottage cheese on rye bread
Falafel and cucumber
If you're bored of boiled eggs there are lots of recipes online for mini breakfast frittatas that you can make in a muffin tin in advance.

Sit and think. Do nothing other than let your mind wander. It's boring at first but you'll soon realise the benefits of doing this.

I realise that only 4 days in and I'm in the running for the most boring thread of 2020, but just in case there is anybody out there remotely caring about an update, here you go!!

Have not had time to try the face pack, that delights awaits me when I get a chance. However the frozen grapes are delicious!!! Thank you for that suggestion, I've a box of them in the freezer and I look forward to having a few later!

I have just sat down with a cup of coffee and a rice cracker - not quite the sweet chocolate hit I'd been used to, but it filled that hole in my hand and was quite tasty! I was in a bad habit of always having something to eat with my coffee, so at least it is something healthier and low sugar.

I'm going to Google the yoga suggested above, I've taken a couple of books out of the library to try to tempt myself with and I'm still considering a few other ideas, thank you for all the inspiration!

I’m on the Dualingo app to learn a language. The basic one is free and the lessons are each about 5 minutes long, but you can carry on as long as you wish. It’s stopped me from drinking alcohol!

Yes, I'm doing Duolingo too, started in Oct and try to do 2 lessons a day, its very absorbing.