Bread Therapy: The Mindful Art of Baking Bread

“I want you to experience the wonder of transforming flour, water, and salt into flavorful, crusty loaves.”

As the world feels ever more dangerous and unreliable, there is something soothing and grounding about basic human activities such as baking. We all feel alienated, and loneliness is on the rise; baking our own bread is one way of improving our physical and mental health, reconnecting us with real things, and providing us with helpful reminders of existential realities.

Pauline Beaumont is no stranger to the harsh realities of the modern world. As a therapist, she is constantly faced with the damaging impact of perfectionism on mental health. Her antidote? Baking bread, where plenty of things can (and do) go wrong. In Bread Therapy, she shares the wisdom she’s gleaned from practicing self-acceptance through baking. Pauline’s reflections on topics like creativity, relationships, and authenticity are accompanied by thoughtfully written bread recipes that will put these lessons into practice. For instance, escape your mind and connect with your body while kneading a classic Sourdough, or try mindful decision-making while experimenting with different add-ins for a Yeasted Loaf.

For anyone in knead of more positivity in their life, Bread Therapy is a delightful meditation on the intrinsic power of baking bread.