In this email:

• Bread-making – Why I haven't bought a loaf since August.🍞
• Last chance to save on Light Brand Identity Audits! Price increase 3/31 💸

Back in the day, I experimented with making my own sourdough. I loved it, but tossed my starter in a move. It'd been years since I baked bread, but in August, I saw a post on Bluesky about a jalapeño cheddar loaf. It got my attention. And because it seemed relatively easy, I tried making it.

Little did I know that this experiment would lead me on an adventure that's become a treasured part of every week since...

The jalapeño cheddar loaf was good, but after seeing how easy this recipe was without the need for starter, I wondered if a plain loaf using the same basic recipe was possible. So, I eliminated the cheddar and jalapeño to see how it would go. Spoiler: It's gone SO well I haven't bought a loaf of bread since mid-August!

My favorite part is the slow process of baking bread. While it takes about 2.5 hours with this recipe (including proofing time), the active prep time is only about 15 minutes or so.

I'm pretty structured during the work day, but once 5pm hits, I morph into a creature unbound by time, to-dos, or rules. Very go with the flow and relaxed. Bread-making fits perfectly into that downtime. Hands on time is only about 15 minutes, so during proofing, you'll most likely find me dancing around the kitchen with my pup while I simultaneously cook dinner or catch up on chores for the remainder of the bake time.

Self-care, designing a life that feels good, and making downtime equally (if not more) as important as time spent in the office is incredibly important to me as a self-employed, small-business owner. Especially, as I get older. I didn't realize just how much bread-making would check those boxes. But it does! Once a rhythm is found, it's a pure brain massage. After a challenging day, there's something so meditative about the simplicity of watching four ingredients come together, rise, and create a beautiful, reliable, and delicious loaf.

My favorite part is the quiet crackling sounds a fresh-baked loaf makes as it cools. I savor those moments after every bake – soft crackles while warm, delicious aromas swirl throughout the kitchen. It's my kind of magical.

And, of course, there's a big reward when you're done! I mean, you get a FANTASTIC loaf with a crispy crust and soft interior. It's so good!

Sidenote: It's a little bit weird to me that the kitchen has become a sort of sanctuary for me as I've gotten older... My younger self would never have thought I'd be writing a literal love letter to bread baking in my forties, but here I am! I sometimes make jokes about one day becoming the owner of a small bakery.👩‍🍳 It'd be a super happy vibes bakery shop: great music, lotsa little tables, bustling with people who've become friends that visit daily for fresh baked muffins, rolls, and other confections. A fun little fantasy of mine.

If I've inspired you at all to give baking your own bread a try, I've designed the recipe I use as a free downloadable recipe card/page.

Give it a try and see what you think! I make about a loaf per week. It goes quickly in my house. I bet it will in yours as well. 😉

Last Chance: Light Brand Identity Audits Price Increase 3/31!

In my last email, I shared that my Light Brand Identity Audits are going up in price in March. Well, it's March! So, this is your last chance to get one of my Audits before prices increase on 3/31/2025.

To be completely transparent, these identity audits are some of my favorite work. They allow me to dig into your branding and provide lots of solid advice (things you can do right away on your own or with a designer of your choosing) at a fraction of the price of a full package. They're a great way to access professional level help without having to make a big investment up front. And if you do end up wanting to work with me to implement the suggestions, the price of your audit is credited towards your full package!

If you'd like to reserve a future spot at the current pricing, that's also absolutely welcome. Feel free to take advantage by purchasing today and booking within 12 months. Have questions? Hit reply on this email.

​Book your Audit today! I look forward to working with you!