July 8, 2009
Sherri Meyer, Registered Dietician

I love baking.  Not so much to eat my final product (although I like that part, too), but more for the act of creating something that starts from random ingredients.  In my house those ingredients consist of various organic flours (from white to whole grain) organic butter, local eggs and Ghirardelli 60 % cacao chocolate chips (dark chocolate is beneficial in moderate amounts).  I take great pleasure in preparing my husband’s favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or watching flour turn into a perfectly risen loaf of bread - although I must confess I have had my share of flat loaves. 

A few months ago, I realized that my nights of baking were numbered given that I was due to give birth to my second son in May.

No more spontaneous nights of whipping up a batch of my cookies or bread.  Or so I thought.  Thankfully, Oakley’s transition into this world did not result in the end of baking.   I arrived home to my helpful husband and mother who was eager to hold her new grandson.  So, within a few days of giving birth, I found myself wandering in the kitchen and pulling out ingredients to make a loaf of homemade bread for my family.  Since the flour was already out, I figured I might as well whip up a batch of cookies too.   I was eager to restore normalcy to my life despite having a crying newborn and cantankerous two-year old.  

For me, baking is a ritual that not only relieves stress, but also provides my family with nutritious food (yes, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies can be nutritious) that do not have preservatives or a several week shelf –life.    

Even my 2 year old Oliver will refuse to eat highly processed white bread in preference for mom's homemade whole wheat bread.   And when he eats it, I feel confident that he is getting a healthy dose of fiber and protein. 

It’s been six weeks since Oakley’s arrival and I am happy (and surprised) to say that I haven’t bought bread from the store yet.   I’ve successfully learned to bake with Oliver tugging at my leg and in between nursing Oakley.   If I am blessed with a third child, hopefully I’ll be able to continue my baking ritual.  

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