By the time my last work call of the day came to an end, I really had no patience left in me for anything.
My laptop was still open. My phone had three unread messages. My coffee had gone cold hours ago. I kept telling myself I would get up in five minutes, but five minutes kept turning into one more email, one more reply, one more small thing.
Then Mom called from the kitchen, “Alex, come have tea. Ten minutes only.”
I almost said no. Then I realized I had been sitting in the same chair since lunch.
The Break I Did Not Know I Needed
When I walked in, Mom had already set two cups of tea on the table. Next to them were a few bowls of Indian snacks: Bhel Mix, Black Pepper Cashew, Chana Dal, Corn Chewda, Dal Moth, and Chewda Mix.
Nothing too fancy, to be honest. But it was almost just the right kind of spread that makes you sit down without thinking too much.
She pushed the Bhel Mix toward me and said, “Start with this. Then complain.”
That made me laugh before I even took a bite.
The Bhel Mix had that light, chatpata crunch that instantly made the day feel less stiff. The Corn Chewda came off to be a little sweet and a little savory, which felt simply perfect with the hot cup of tea. Then I tried the Black Pepper Cashew, and that sharp peppery bite did exactly what my cold coffee could not.
Tea Makes Complaining Easier
Mom asked, “Bad day?”
“Not bad,” I said. “Just too much talking.”
She understood immediately. Well, I guess that is the thing about our dear mothers. You do not have to explain every detail. They just seem to know simply by looking at our faces.
I picked up some Chana Dal while telling her about the calls, the follow-ups, and the work that kept coming back with “just one small change.” She listened, nodded, and added Dal Moth to my plate like that was part of the solution.
Maybe it was.
The Dal Moth had a stronger punch of flavors, and it was a bit crunchier than other snacks, too. Besides that, t the Chewda Mix brought everything together, along with it, such as peanuts, spices, crispness, and that familiar comfort of Indian namkeens at home.
This was not some planned self-care after work routine. It was just some refreshing tea, snacks, and my mommy dearest reminding me, “You need to stop carrying work into every room.”
Well, I do suppose that she was right. Sometimes I believe one must learn how to let it all go and deal with things calmly.
A Small Pause Can Change the Whole Evening
After a few minutes, I felt better. Not in a dramatic way. My deadlines were still there. My inbox was still waiting. But the irritation had settled.
That is what a good snack break can do. It gives the day a softer landing.
The best part was how easy it all felt. No cooking. No setup. No effort. Just quick snack ideas that actually fit into a busy evening.
The snacks that took away the whole day’s stress
Available at a Bombay Kitchen outlet or grocery store near you.
Ten Minutes, One Plate, Better Mood
By the time my tea was over, Mom had moved on to telling me about the neighbor, the grocery list, and why I should not skip dinner. Somehow, those easy conversations did more for me than scrolling through my phone ever could.
I went back to my desk later, but the evening felt different. I was not as fresh as new. I was not suddenly excited to work again. I was just calmer. And sometimes, that is enough.
A cup of tea, a few evening snacks, and someone to sit with can do a lot after a long day.
For your next tea break snacking session, bring home Bombay Kitchen’s lip-smacking Indian namkeens from a grocery store or Bombay Kitchen outlet near you.