There is something very satisfying about baking. Measuring and adding ingredients together, putting your creation into the oven and waiting for it to be ready, smelling the delicious scents as it is cooking, and then seeing the final product is all very satisfying to the soul. Creating anything with our hands can be a meditative and relaxing endeavour, and when it is something we can eat it is even more satisfying.
If you have never baked, don’t be intimidated. Recipes can be found online to bake just about anything and most are very easy to follow. With a few simple tools and ingredients and a little bit of time, you can begin to enjoy the delights of creating your own wholesome food.
Action – Measuring, mixing, pouring and then baking are all simple actions that can take us away from the stresses of life and serve as a timeout from our regular routines. Baking brings you into the moment as you need to mindfully pay attention to what you are doing. It is an artistic endeavour that is both rewarding and relaxing.
Steps – If you are new to baking, start with something easy. You can make cookies, muffins, granola or cornbread. Pick a recipe that doesn’t have too many ingredients and start there. Simply follow the instructions and you are guaranteed to succeed.
The easiest way to ensure success is to put all of the ingredients that you will need out on the counter before you begin. That way you know that you aren’t missing a crucial component and you won’t forget to put anything in. Measure carefully at first, but after you become more comfortable with baking you can begin to add your own spin to things.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – Food is not only necessary for our survival, but it is part of our social fabric. There is nothing more rewarding than creating something in your own kitchen and then sharing it with others, or just enjoying it yourself. Knowing that you can be self-sufficient and able to make your own food is reassuring, and the act of baking itself is a welcome escape from daily stress. It is a way of doing something productive that doesn’t require much thought other than to focus on what you are doing.
This is why there has been an explosion of baking and cooking shows and channels on tv. There is something very soothing and relaxing about watching food being prepared and it’s reassuring to know that anyone can make good food with the right ingredients and tools.
Example – With all of the different food sensitivities that people have today, being able to bake your own creations gives you the control of knowing exactly what is in your food and how it has been prepared. Whipping up a batch of cookies on the weekend takes about 15 minutes and gives you a sense of accomplishment, as well as then having something that you can share with others.
If you were lucky enough to have a grandmother or a mother who enjoyed baking, then you likely have fond memories that harken back to a simpler time when things didn’t seem so stressful. Reunite with these memories or create new ones of your own as you get into the kitchen and create something that you and others will enjoy.