Discover the fun and ease of Sourdough baking with these 3 ways
1. Feeding an active starter is the first step in sourdough baking, and it couldn't be simpler. If you have attended my class all you need to do now is feed that active starter! By maintaining a 1:1:1 ratio and feeding it regularly, your starter will stay active and ready for all your baking adventures.
An active starter (bubbly) is crucial for baking your bread because it will help it rise better! 
2. Using your Discard. There are endless possibilities with an inactive starter - Don't let your inactive starter go to waste! With this "discard," you can explore a world of delicious baked goods. From cookies and pancakes to pumpkin bread and rolls, the possibilities really are endless. Get creative and try out different recipes to find your new favorites. Need some inspiration? Check out Little Spoon Farm for a wealth of easy and exciting recipes.
3. Essential Utensils - To get the most out of your sourdough baking experience, there are a few key utensils you'll want to have on hand. A dutch oven is essential for perfectly baked bread, and investing in a quality bread kit can set you up for success right from the start. Additionally, mason jars are great for storing your starter or opt for a glass or stainless steel bowl with a lid for convenience.
Remember, sourdough baking doesn't have to be complicated. Keep it simple with the trio of starter, flour, and water, and don't forget to feed your starter regularly. Get ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor and embrace the joy of sourdough baking.
Items I use to get started. These are affiliate links so I will receive a portion in money back towards your purchases.
Thank you for your support!
Favorite Flour from Thrive Market - get $40 off your first order!
I use Organic King Arthur All-purpose flour and bread flour
Any questions my DM's are Always open!
Happy Baking Friend,
Shantel
Denley Joseph. Born sleeping December 14, 2014
These are the thoughts I look at now, as my future self.
If we live in fear of what "might" happen everyday we will never move forward. Living in the what-ifs will keep us focused on the past, keeping us safe within our fears.
You can never fully prepare for anything. I understand.
What I really want to know most is:
Why is baby loss rarely talked of. Why is it kept so quiet. Why do we give permission to talk about it in October. Why don't we speak of our experiences for others to understand or relate to at any time of the year?
My experiences may not be the same as some, but this is what I know.
I never knew....
The weight of the what-ifs would be excruciating.
The weight of emotions would be heavy.
The things people would say.
The blur of it all.
Waking up from surgery not knowing your child wont be alive in your arms.
Your husband is everything.
Holding your babe wouldn't be forever.
Saying your goodbyes early because you dont want them to be left in the fridge.
A rose on your door at the hospital means baby loss
Arranging a mortar to come get your child.
Coming home to an empty crib and a big sister who doesn't quite understand.
Sitting for hours at a funeral home just after being released from the hospital.
Hugging everyone in pain at the funeral because your breasts were so enlarged and not knowing that donating milk was a thing.
Walking through the pain of two miscarriages after having a beautiful daughter.
So many more unanswered questions.
What I do know is Grief comes in waves.
No one ever told me my healing would make me so much stronger.
*****
If you are still with me I leave you on what I do know now.
That a lot of GREAT things came from it.
No one ever told me that
I would truly find God.
My husband is my rock, forever and ever. amen.
The support was more than I could ever imagine
The things people said.
Embracing every God given hug even though your breasts were about to explode.
Healing is found in hugs.
Our family who showed up to hold and love on that babe as much as we all could, in the time that we had.
Pictures last a lifetime.
Children who begin to understand more about heaven and where our true home is.
However you are feeling each and every day from that moment on is ok.
No one ever told me that my growth would be the reason I am able to write this.
No one ever told me that I would change as a person in ways I didn't know were possible.
Everyday is one day closer to meeting our babes.
My prayer is that if you ever have to go through a loss I hope you reach out. That you find peace knowing someone will listen, that someone will understand.
Shantel
You. Only you are your child's gatekeepers.
They have no choice what we bring into our home. They have no control.
They have no idea what is in the products we use and put on them daily.
We chose to inform them.
We chose to bring in the products that are best for them.
We choose what we put on their skin.
We choose not to use hormone disruptors.
We choose not to put toxic chemicals on our children's skin such as parabens, formaldehyde, fragrances, known carcinogens (the ingredient lists goes on and on) all these are found in beauty/cleaning supplies most of us use on the daily.
Fun Fact: there are hundreds of thousands of chemicals that were grandfathered into the US in 1976. They never have to be tested.....
The question: Have you looked to see what you are putting on your kids?
Better yet, you?
Friend, trust me as a mom who has done the research on so many levels, there are better options. Once you know you will never unknow.
Be the change.
Your health matters.
There is a time when a picture comes up and brings you back to those memories.
This picture brings a flood of them. It brings me to tears of joy and heartache.
7yrs ago I was on a road less traveled...
Learning who I was, fighting battles I didn't know I would have to fight.
Little did I know it was truly the path to finding ME again.
I had been in a marrige that wasn't for me. I knew as much as it hurt to leave it I had to think of my future and ultimately my child's future. (maybe some of you can relate)
Was it an easy decision. No.
Was it the best decision for me and my child. Yes.
I wouldn't be where I am today without the support that came along with it. I seeked counseling. I went through some lows. My family was there in its entirety. Without my sister and friends I wouldn't have made it through.
You guys, I am not perfect, and didn't do things the "right way" -whatever that way really is.
I have learned.
I have grown.
I am a better person because of my experiences.
As I have said before, God puts you in places for reasons. This was a big one for me, and at the time was so hard to understand, but today I now know why.
Here's to embracing the years ahead. Heartaches, happiness and all
We will always have a choice.
Always.
When you decide NOT to do something you are making a choice.
When you decide TO do something you are also making a choice.
What choices are you choosing to make?
