Ah...baking... I love poring over recipe books....:-) though I always end up making some version of my own! Baking is a constant need. What would it be like to be without a oven ? This has caused me to do a lot of thinking. I've discovered the reasons why I, and people like me, bake. It's as important as breathing is to our survival. For me, every step in the process of baking requires me to be in the moment. When I do that, everything comes out just right. Not perfect. But just right.
Baking is relaxing and therapeutic. It helps relieve stress and it can be a meditative experience. With our busy lives, it does the soul good to get into the kitchen and create something beautiful and delicious which you can be proud of. When I'm having a bad day, I just put on some good music and start baking. I make whatever I can with the ingredients I have on hand.
Baking is creative. It is taking things and putting them together to make something. You’ve probably heard it several times, baking is a science. I think it’s true. Each recipe calls for specific ingredients and in specific amounts; everything has to be mixed in a certain order; and everything must be baked at a certain temperature for a specific amount of time. Although, baking is an exact science, certain ingredients must be in the correct amounts and yet... you can do some manipulation to create something different. Make it your own version each time. It's molding and shaping. Anytime you can use your hands it's creative.
Baking is soul lifting. The smell of baking alone can lift your soul. The since of accomplishment you get when you present one of your creations is also soul lifting. Being creative lifts your soul.
Baking is something you can do for others. There's no doubt about it; people just can't resist homemade baked goods. It is a definite crowd pleaser. When there's a family in need with a new baby, an illness or a death, what do you do? You take them a baked good to lift their spirits.
Baking is something you can do just for you. Just creating something warm and fragrant from the oven, can lift your spirits, too. You never need an excuse to bake; just do it. It can be a gift you give to yourself, because you're worth it!
Well, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to bake something wonderful. I don't know what it is yet, but I know it'll be wonderful.
