https://www.mindfood.com/article/baking-for-therapy-and-self-empowerment/#:~:text=By%20using%20baking%20as%20a,a%20subconscious%20form%20of%20therapy.

For my second Food Review I decided to review an article called “Baking for Therapy and Self Improvement” by Stephanie Panecasio. This article is an eye opening article that  encourages women to embrace baking as a hobby rather than dismiss it because it’s such an empowering and expressive process. For many years, Baking has been seen as a Traditional Feminine pursuit commonly tied with early memories of either Grandma and Mother baking cookies, cupcakes, Flan, and brownies. Many exclaim that these images fall far from the feminist point of view today. However, the baking process itself has been proven to benefit both mental health and Self-Empowerment in many women. 

For example, Baking is a beautiful hobby that is considered to be a deep individual personal experience for everyone. Women understand that the deserts themselves may never turn out the same for everyone  – just like everyone is different, deserts are very different as well depending on the hand making it. Thus each dessert is delicious in their very own unique way. By being so dedicated to this calming process with your full attention, the reward at the end is equal parts personal achievement, affirmation and deliciousness. The reposition from responsibility to hobby has allowed women to take back baking as a form of empowerment by using this process to grow their idea of themselves and the lovely skills they should be proud of. 

Moreover, Baking has shown to both benefit and improve mental health. For example, baking helps increase mindfulness, sensory, and satisfaction. Ultimately, Baking becomes a form of therapy for those who struggle with depression or mood disorders. Baking is a behavioral activation and focused activity that helps occupy the entire mind and body together. As stated in “The art of Mindful Baking” by Julia Posonby “The physical act of baking, the way that you knead bread for example, takes your mind out of the intellectual and connects you to your body”. Subconsciously, this  form of therapy helps redirect our thoughts to more positive ones. Many people are using baking as a stress and even anxiety reliever to focus on something other than anything that’s troubling them. 

While baking things like sourdough, you’re subconsciously allowing things to develop at their own pace and observing them. Thus, bakers began to realize that we sometimes can’t control every single thing that happens, but allows us to accept that things will happen when they are ready. A Lot of the time people are afraid of missing out and not having certain things. However, learning to slow down helps us become more aware and focused on ourselves. This can push us toward success and empowered independence. In other words, Taking back baking as a hobby is taking a “right direction toward Feminism” according to Posonby. Baking has been known as a worldwide housewife’s obligation to an empowering and mentally beneficial feminist pursuit. Here’s to taking our power back and owning it.