I love baking. Love, love, love, love, love it. It’s a creative outlet with quick results. It’s a stress reliever. It’s a way to make other people happy. And it’s a way to stuff my face when I’m feeling down. Yeah, that last one is dangerous.
The best success I’ve had in weight loss was during a baking hiatus that lasted a couple of years. My poor Kitchen Aid mixer must have thought I was dead and buried or something. I’m sure it mourned my absence. I know I did. But baked goods + trying to cut calories and eat healthier generally /= a good combination. And since I am a helpless carb addict, it’s pretty much guaranteed that if I have the apron on, I’m making something with empty calories–even if I try to convince myself that KAF White Whole Wheat flour really does make up that nutritional difference. Cinnamon buns; white chocolate salted oatmeal cookies; authentic whoopie pies; amaretto apple crisp; blueberry pie; blondies; vanilla bean scones… The list of favorites goes on and on. All of them an experience of art meeting function, tantalizing the tastebuds and smelling absolutely wonderful. I <3 baking.
The truth of the matter is that it’s gone too far. I generally give most of what I bake away so as to limit the temptation but that doesn’t mean I don’t indulge at all. And on some things, I hide extra portions in the freezer with the intent of saving them for later, only to break into the stash in a matter of days (if that long). I would probably sell my soul for my vanilla bean scones.
I have a cute hot pink apron on the way that I may have to hang up before I even use it. Either that, or order a bigger size. Wait. They don’t come in bigger sizes. Damnit!
So what’s the solution? I re-joined the gym. I will have to get my ass out of bed at dark o’thirty to combat my addiction to baked goods. Seems like a fair trade. Maybe…