Breaditation

Synopsis

BREADMAKING + MEDITATION = BREADITATION. Feel your tension drain away as you mix, knead, prove and bake these specially selected, straightforward recipes for breads, from ciabatta to bagels and sourdough.

'Though at its heart a book of reliable bread recipes you can utterly trust . . . the relaxed baking techniques in Breaditation can help unravel the stress and trauma in our life' Dan Lepard

'The only breadmaking book you'll ever knead for your mental wellbeing' Professor David Veale, The Maudsley Hospital

In Breaditation, professional baker Manuel Monade shows, with the help of psychotherapist Caroline Harrison, how the four stages of bread making - kneading, proving, shaping and baking - can help you to de-stress. Bread making, because it involves all our senses - sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing - can help us to focus on and feels safe in the present,which helps to combat anxiety, elevate our mood, improve our self-esteem and, through a mindful focus on the present, de-stress. Even if you feel simply angry or upset, bread making can help.

Breaditation includes more than twenty straightforward recipes, from ciabatta and pitta to brioche, crackers and sourdough. There is nothing too technically demanding, so that there is an immediate sense of achievement and pleasure in the bread you have made.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Art of Simplicity

* Introduces the concept of breaditation, a mind-body practice that combines bread making with meditation.
* Highlights the simplicity of the process, emphasizing that it requires only flour, water, and yeast.
* Real example: Making sourdough bread, which involves mixing flour and water, then allowing it to ferment naturally, reducing the need for special ingredients or equipment.

Chapter 2: The Rhythm of Kneading

* Explores the therapeutic effects of kneading dough, comparing it to rhythmic breathing exercises.
* Discusses how the repetitive motion helps slow the breath and reduce stress.
* Real example: Kneading a whole wheat bread dough, feeling the stiffness and resistance of the dough gradually give way to a softer, more elastic texture.

Chapter 3: The Joy of Shaping

* Emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the shaping of the bread, considering its aesthetics and function.
* Describes the different shaping techniques and their influence on the bread's crumb and crust.
* Real example: Shaping a braided loaf, experimenting with the number of strands and the tightness of the braiding to create a unique design.

Chapter 4: The Patience of Waiting

* Highlights the value of patience in the bread-making process, from the initial fermentation to the final baking.
* Encourages readers to embrace the waiting time as an opportunity for reflection and self-discovery.
* Real example: Waiting for a sourdough to rise, observing the bubbles forming and the gradual expansion of the dough, appreciating the slow and natural process.

Chapter 5: The Discipline of Timing

* Discusses the importance of timing in bread making, from measuring ingredients to observing the dough's behavior.
* Emphasizes the role of intuition and experience in fine-tuning the timing of each stage.
* Real example: Baking a sourdough bread, monitoring the temperature and the crust color to determine the optimal time for removing it from the oven.

Chapter 6: The Fulfillment of Sharing

* Explores the joy and fulfillment of sharing bread with others, creating a sense of community and nourishment.
* Discusses the social aspects of bread making and the symbolism of bread as a symbol of sustenance and connection.
* Real example: Hosting a bread baking party, sharing the experience and the fruits of labor with friends and family.

Chapter 7: The Wisdom of the Loaf

* Reflects on the metaphorical parallels between bread making and the journey of life.
* Explores the themes of patience, resilience, and the importance of nourishment, both physical and emotional.
* Real example: Using bread making to process a life experience, finding solace and inspiration in the kneading, shaping, and baking of the bread.