Persuasive

     How can baking "scientifically"  help someones mentality?  That is really the question that comes up when looking at my experiment. People would like to see actual proof, not just stories of baking that claim to have raised someones spirits through out the week. Even though the world would be much simpler if everyone would just take my advice and bake a couple cookies throughout the week, I do see that many of you need a little more persuasion. So here it is, The Facts.
   
   BBC news published an article all about whether baking can make you happier. They start by pointing out that  baking is often associated with comfort food. And that it has become an increasing trend. But they ask whether there is any therapeutic value that is beneficial to mental health.
 
  John Whaite, last years winner of The Great British Bake Off was diagnosed with manic depression eight years ago. He experiences erratic negative energy constantly and feels out of control of his life. But he attributes baking to helping his condition. He says "Baking helps lift my depression. It can't cure it but it helps". he then goes on to explain exactly how baking does this. "When I'm in the kitchen, measuring the amount of sugar, flour or butter I need for a recipe or cracking the exact number of eggs - I am in control. That's really important as a key element of my condition is a feeling of no control." Clearly, he demonstrates the significance that baking can have on one's personality.

     Baking Personality Quiz:

This is actually a knock off of what Cornell University researchers studied. They took 800 family cooks and determined 5 different cooking personalities. Types that supposedly influence the typed of dishes that you make. The study was mostly done to show what we think we are eating.  While looking at this study, it was realized that baking was left out of the choice category. So this quiz was duplicated based upon the Cornell University's research team's methods; But based upon baking.

1) When I bake, I typically:

a) Opt for one of a handful of very familiar recipes that I make all the time.
b) Pick a recipe and follow it step-by-step.
c) Tweak the ingredients of a recipe to cut down on fat or sugar.
d) Go all out and create impressive, professional-looking delicacies.
e) Rarely use recipes as written and like to experiment with ingredients and flavors.

2) Some of my favorite ingredients are:

a) Chocolate, butter and vanilla.
b) Flour, eggs and sugar.
c) Applesauce and brown sugar.
d) Scratch puff pastry and browned butter.
e) Herbs and edible flowers.

3) In my free time I like to:

a) Visit with friends and family with baked goods in tow.
b) Organize the house and clean the kitchen.
c) Exercise or take a fitness class to burn off those extra cookies.
d) Read cookbooks or take cooking classes.
e) Watch cooking shows and read food blogs to stay ahead of the food trends.

4) My favorite things to bake are:

a) Classics, like chocolate chip cookies and brownies.
b) Cakes, because there is a lot of variety in the flavors, but the technique is always similar.
c) Recipes that include whole grains, or cut down on the added fat.
d) Breads, where I can try to achieve the perfect crumb.
e) Ethnic sweets and desserts from other countries.

5) Other people describe me as:

a) Really friendly.
b) Diligent and methodical.
c) Health conscious.
d) Intense and passionate.
e) Curious or innovative.

Which letter did you choose most often? Don’t worry about overlap – most of us fall into more than one category, and the quiz is just for fun. Here’s what your answers say about your baking style:

a) Giving: Friendly, well-liked and enthusiastic, giving bakers seldom experiment, love baking and like to serve tried-and-true family favorites that they know are crowd pleasers, rather than risk experimenting with the unknown.

b) Methodical: Talented bakers who rely heavily on recipes because baking is considered to be a science for a reason! They know that they’ll get the results they want that way. And usually, their creations look just like the picture in the cookbook.

c) Healthy: Healthy bakers love to be in the kitchen, but worry about the side effects of eating too many treats. They experiment with alternative ingredients to cut down on the “unhealthy” parts of recipes, usually white flours, sugars, eggs and fats. Health comes first, even if it means making a few compromises with taste and texture.
d) Competitive: Pros do it, so there is no reason that the competitive bakers shouldn’t be able to do it, too. Competitive bakers have dominant personalities, are perfectionists who are always trying to improve their own skills, and love to impress their guests.
e) Innovative: Creative and trend-setting, innovative bakers seldom use recipes and like to experiment with ingredients, cuisine styles and methods.

Reflection

   These past few weeks have been going great. The over all product in the end will be the ability to observe the benefits of baking in your life. As cookies, cake, and cupcakes have all been tested during these weeks, test results have been promising. Test subject A (My self) has demonstrated much more positive qualities throughout the week as noted by my mom. Pointed out specifically has been the humor that has come from every baking experience.  From eggs spilling to flour in the face, these baking expeditions have brought joy into our house. Afterwards, funny "life lessons" can be created, based upon the baking experience.
    For instance, when asking my little brother for help in the kitchen, he gladly agreed. Note: My two little brothers are probably the best at making chocolate chip cookies. Better than my mom. (Maybe)
Well, when told to add 4 cups of flour to a mix, my 8 yr old brother accidentally lost track and ended up adding a couple extra cups. While mixing the dough, I noticed that it was unexpectedly big. As I referred to the recipe and saw that the recipe serves 8 - 10, I was surprised at how big the servings would be. After putting 3 cookie sheets in the oven instead of two, and waiting about an hour for baking and cooling, The most bitter cookies in the world were born.
   Although the cookies did not turn out, we were eventually able to track down the problem. No hard feelings came about but instead a good laugh. For the next week, we were all very careful in anything that we measured. and were sure not to pull an "Owen".

Mentor Interview

My mentor that i have selected is my grandma. As she has a vast amount of experience in cooking and I have known her all my life, she is the most obvious choice for a mentor. She is also the best cook i know.

As for the Interview,

What cooking experience do you have?

I started off cooking for five children for over 20 years and went on from there.
I have taken many cooking classes around the world and relatives that have come from different countries have passed on their recipes to me.

What type of foreign dishes do you know?

My mother in law came from Czechoslovakia and has taught me all of her baking recipes. Favorites are Poletsinkies, and Kolachky which is a dessert type of bread with cinnamon in the middle.

Baking is all about precision; How precise are you?

As you repeat these recipes, the right feel comes along, so I  mostly guess on what feels right. It Still turn out great though.

What is your favorite thing about baking?

The satisfying feeling after watching someone enjoy something i have made.