Bread is often among the first products to disappear in emergency situations.So,if you have never made bread,now it is time to learn.Bread making is a survival skill.With very few simple things—such as flour,salt and yeast—you can bake a fresh loaf of bread for your family,neighbors or co-workers.

Baking is not just a useful survival skill.It can make you feel better at stressful times.In fact,baking and cooking have been used to treat people with mental health issues.Julie Ohana is a social worker.She offers what she calls diet treatment to her patients in New York City.Julie Ohana uses diet treatment to help people overcome many kinds of issues.She explains that diet treatment works on many levels.

Baking requires mindfulness.So when you're in the kitchen—whether you're cooking or you're baking—it really requires a certain level of mindfulness,especially when you're baking.And baking really requires step by step,following a recipe,being more precise.There really are very strong benefits of being able to do that,to be able to relax,decompress,and really increase one's level of life satisfaction.

Baking is a labor of love.Ohana also says baking is a process filled with love.It not only makes you feel good,but it also produces something tangible—something you can touch and eat!Ohana calls baking a labor of love.Baking is emotional.Often our food experiences are tied to family memories and stories.We remember meals our grandmothers made.We teach our children important recipes for family favorites.

Reading Check

Do you think baking is good for mental health?And why?

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