I find that I reward myself with food when I feel like I have done a good job (like make it thru another week of work), or when I a struggling with my depression, I crave sweets to make me feel better (even though I know this does not work).
I have found that if I crochet (I recently learned how) when I'm watching TV, it helps. I also purchased a Dynoflex Exercise Ball which helps a lot. The other night, I got the dynoflex going and swithed back and forth from hand to hand for a whole movie. It helped a lot with the snacking/craving thing. You should try one. It also really helps to strenthen your fingers, hands, wrists and lower arms.
I am going to try the tangle. It looks fun to use too. Anything to occupy my munching would help greatly!
Great article MM, thanks!
Hey Rena!
Good to see you. These are great ideas. I actually love to crochet...I just have not done it in years. I will also have to check out the ball you are talking about. I know about the cravings. I hear that if you ignore the craving for like five minutes they tend to go away. I am trying. It is just when I am hungry...I don't want a carrot...I want something "good." It is a mentality I have to learn to change.
Thanks so much for your comment. I hope to see more of you here!
Thanks for the reply back. It makes me feel like I'm really talking with a person and not just my computer, (like talking to a "real person" when you call to check on you credit cards, banking, etc.).
You should check out the Dyna-Flex Exercise Ball. It is a challenge to get it going and then keep it going too.
I really need to change too. When I feel like I need to eat something, even when I am not hungry, I always want sweets. I need to focus on healthier things. It is really hard, because, like you said, I want something "Good"! I am trying to focus on fruits. I am trying to keep them in view to give myself a subliminal message! 
Making a pact to eat healthy foods is a good idea. I'm in! Subliminal messages are all around us,...TV, advertisement bill boards, at the grocery store and etc. We have to find a way to mentally block these things out.
Also, wanted to know if you have purchased the book, "Women, Food and God" by Geneen Roth? I have just purchased and started reading it. I thought that it was going to be a really religious book which would be a big turn-off for me, but it does not appear to be. I've just started it and am already very intrigued. Her opinion seems to be (so far) that our emotional eating is based on past tramatic experiences, depression, anxiety or etc. and has nothing to do with food really at all. The spiritual side of the book seems to be leading into an inner search of what is really in there and why are we struggling with ourselves emotionally. I think it is going to be an interesting read and it sounds like something that may be right up your alley! If you choose to read it, please let us know what you think of the book. Thanks MM, you are the best! 
Thanks for the post. I could not agree with you more! The subliminal messages to eat the very unhealthy foods, are everywhere!!! (The grocery store, bill boards, radio and etc.)
If they get into my cart, I am also powerless to stop. If I buy a half gallon of ice cream, my brain thinks about that half gallon of ice cream in the freezer until it is completely gone! I don't know what it is, but I can't even put things in the "out of sight-out of mind" places in my house. My brain remembers and craves these things until they are consumed.
I try to not bring these things into my house, but I need to try harder! Its like being an alcoholic and making any excuse to have a drink. I make excuses too.
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Oh Yes, the ever popular Mouth Hunger!!! I definitely suffer from this. At night when I have too much free time I meet the beastie. I am just grateful that quitting smoking has not really made the battle harder. I don't feel as if not being able to smoke has added to my anxiety. I really believe it has help decrease the physical symptoms of anxiety by taking constant nicotine withdrawal off the table. All of your suggestions are good ones and I will try to use them more often.
Hey Anne!
It is great to see you over here. I hope more folk from the depression site come over to at least take a gander at our anxiety site.
I applaud you for quitting smoking. My mother was a three pack a day smoker. Now she can't afford to smoke so much and I am rather happy about that. I had seen how extremely difficult it was for her to stop smoking. She did it once under the guidance of a hypnotist but...it didn't last.
Someday you will have to write a sharepost here or on the depression site about how you quit smoking.
Thanks so much for taking the time to come over and to comment and I look forward to seeing more of you!