A whole book talking about baking as therapy! From a therapist and a baker! This is so up my alley. I bake for sanity, I make food for people as a love language. If I can’t bake I get antsy.

I think this is a mostly excellent book. Hazen connects recipes to aspects of mental health that he wants you to keep in mind. He may focus on the sensory aspects of baking (aroma, feel, sound), or the necessary lessons of patience. He also uses recipes to encourage adventure and flexibility. He shares lessons and thoughts along the way. Some worked better for me than others, but I particularly appreciated his preamble to the peach galette:

So when you fold the crust over the spiced peaches, be forgiving with yourself. No matter how this tart turns out in the end, it will turn out the way it was supposed to.

This was a hard lesson that I had to learn, letting go of perfection. Baking started to teach me that lesson, and I often need reminders. And I have often suggested the galette as way to ease in to pastry. It’s very hard to screw up a galette.

I loved that the first recipe called for cake mix and instant pudding mix, and the second recipe was for a microwave mug cake. He doesn’t use many mixes after that, but I appreciate that he starts out that way. There’s also a whole chapter on stressless baking. And, of course, I tried some of his recipes. I did try his famous challah recipe. I’ve tried a lot of challah recipes, but I always go back to Mollie Katzen’s recipe. I would say that Hazan’s recipe is as good. It made a beautiful loaf. I also tried the muffin recipe. I made some plain, some with a dollop of lemon curd, and some with a mix of chocolate chips. The base batter was a little sweeter than I like, but I know I’m an outlier on this issue. Otherwise the crumb was tender.

I wish Hazan was better about a couple of things, To be fair, they are places where most people need to do better – stop insisting the kitchen must be organized and uncluttered, and stop putting food on a “healthy” ranking. Both of these things are subjective, and they are unnecessary barriers to baking. Organized and uncluttered compared to what? Healthier compared to what? I have made large 3 tier wedding cakes in tiny cluttered kitchens. I have seen soufflé made in the embers of a campfire out in the woods. It is ok if your kitchen is messy. I absolutely disagree that a cluttered kitchen equals a cluttered mind, and frankly, even if it does, that’s not a barrier to baking. Bodies are different, so the healthiness of various foods is not universal. I would love to see a whole lot less judgement in the food conversation.

If you want to bake – do it! Do not let the imperfections of space, ingredients, or equipment stop you from baking. Baking is about transmuting individual ingredients into a whole different thing with effort and time. People have been doing it for centuries in all kinds of conditions. (Someday I’m going to write my own cookbook called The Grumpy Baker Wants You to Know You Are Fine as You Are, Now Eat a Damn Cookie.)

I generally think Hazan is on the right track with this book and it could be of value to people looking for ways to engage in self care and community care.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Chronicle Books and Net Galley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

This book has a new and interesting concept. It teaches you recipes in a therapy, self-help way. The recipes look good and the photos are very nice. The recipes are Jewish, Syrian, Middle Eastern inspired. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

What a refreshing take on the tried-and-true cookbook! I loved Jack's approach to the genre and how he really took the time to discuss the benefits of mindful baking. This slower, more peaceful approach to food feels like a such treat in our fast-paced, grind-culture world.

I love the idea of baking as therapy, and I can't wait to try some of the scrumptious-looking recipes!

This cookbook offers a fresh perspective on baking. Instead of just recipes, it presents baking as a way to embrace self-care and mindfulness. This is a completely unique take on baking. Far too intriguing to pass up.

Recipes range from surprisingly simple to fairly intensive, but directions are easy to follow, making this book appropriate for any skill level.

I thought the premise of this book was interesting, but maybe I didn't fully grasp the aim of this book since I wasn't overly thrilled with the excessive narrative throughout.

Pros:
There was a good variety in the recipes.
The recipes were pretty simple and didn't look like they involved too many steps. I also liked that none of the recipes called for random and/or obscure ingredients that would be difficult to find and use again for another recipe.
These recipes would appeal to a wide variety of dessert-lovers. There were some recipes that were more traditional and chocolatey and sugary, and others that were fruit-based. I really liked this since a lot of books have a tendency to be heavy on one type of recipe and not everyone likes certain types of desserts.

Cons:
There was a lot of narrative throughout this book. While I see that I didn't properly understand that this book is supposed to be a bit of a combination between baking and mental health, I still don't like when there's too much narrative in a cookbook. I want the recipes with little to no narrative.
I would've liked more pictures to go along with the recipes. Some of them had pictures but others didn't and I prefer to have a visual to go along with a recipe.

Overall, the recipes in this book seemed good and if you want a more simple baking book then I think this would appeal to you.

I received an advanced digital copy of the #MindOverMatterCookbook to review. "75 Recipes for Baking as Therapy." This books releases in March 2023.

First off, he had me hooked at MADONNA loving his challah! Yeah, Madonna.

There are tons of recipes in here, 75, lots of pics, several recipes I had everything in the cabinet to make. The chapters cover topics like anxiety, depression.... lots of quirky stories and tips. I enjoyed this book and have frequently considered cooking time as me time, aka therapy time.

#bookreviews #bookreview #cookbooks #cookbookreview

For anyone who is always trying to find an excuse to bake, Jack Hazan, therapist, has validated our wishes by using baking mouthwatering treats as therapy. Of course, to be honest, most of us could also use therapy, so Mind Over Batter: 75 Recipes for Baking as Therapy is a perfect excuse to add a new cookbook to our personal collection.

Hazen presents 75 incredibly luscious-looking recipes for baked goods – mostly sweet, but some savory – that anyone who needs therapy or not will love. Many of the recipes have Jewish leanings, and some are unique and not recipes those of us who aren’t Jewish have ever heard of. The recipes are written in the traditional manner, so they are easy to follow. The ingredients are easy-to-find at any grocery store, so readers and bakers won’t need to go anywhere special to stock up their pantry in order to make these incredible baked goods.

Included are also beautiful photographs of some of the dishes; unfortunately all of the recipes aren’t pictured, which is the one drawback about this cookbook. Because of all the good things, that isn’t a game changer. The author has also included comments at the beginning of each recipe to help with the therapy of baking.

All told, this is an excellent cookbook; every time readers like me, peruse it, the queue will get longer and longer. You simply can’t go wrong adding this book to your cookbook collection.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute recipe book!

Blending baking and mental health tips this is a unique book. As Hazan notes this book isn't a replacement more therapy or other mental health support that may be needed. The book has recipes for sweet treats as well as some high level mental health tips. This book talks about the importance of taking care of our bodies and brains.

Overall an interesting read.

We all need a creative outlet and baking is an excellent one. What I love most about this book is how the author ties into using baking for helping you get through whatever is going on in a given day. Second best are the recipes!

I’m so glad I found this book. It’s like Jack wrote this just for me…and I am grateful to have it in my toolbox!

I love this book! I love to bake and I have always found it to be therapeutic and Jack Hazan took it to a whole new level with this book. There is so much information about how baking can help with mental health and the recipes are amazing. Some of the recipes are time consuming, but I feel like that is for a reason. We need to slow down and focus on something that will bring us joy. This is a great book.

This cookbook was made for me and it was made for YOU too if you enjoy baking as stress relief! Written by Psychotherapist and Master Baker Jack Hazan, this cookbook explains how baking can soothe, comfort and bring joy. The author provides information, helpful info and appropriate recipes for the main mental issues we all deal with as well as sprinkling in “Baking Affirmation” and “Food for Thought” bubbles that bring encouragement to our busy, stressful lives. My favorite encouragement was this; “worrying is a down payment on a problem you may never have”… thank you and I’m going to remember that one!

But let me break down the chapters with the delicious recipes:

Chapter 1 is about Self Care and Hazan explains that baking can be meditative and allows us time to escape the crazy to take care of ourselves. Baking should be fun! Some of the recipes I can’t wait to try are the Slice and Bake Raspberry Pecan Cookies, Mushroom and Gruyere Quiche and the Self Care in a Cupcake filled with cinnamon and allspice and made in a mug in the microwave.

Chapter 2 is about Mindfulness and “feeling your feelings” and all the recipes are designed to NOT turn out perfect. My favorite Baking Affirmation came from this chapter and it said, “Today I am letting things turn out the way they turn out”. Such a simple bit of advice but also powerful! In this chapter, the Marbled Rye Breadsticks and Lemon Ginger Bundt Cake really caught my eye.

Chapter 3 is all about Finding Comfort and the author explains the steps to grief and how baking can help us on that sorrowful journey by keeping our minds and hands busy as well as providing something delicious to enjoy. In this chapter we are gifted with Jack Hazan’s famous Challah recipe!

Chapter 4 is all about dealing with Stress and Anxiety and I learned so much about what causes this mental anguish. I can’t wait to try the Chocolate Chip Babka Crunch and the Five Star Meringue Birthday Cake made with coconut, slathered in sweet meringue and garnished with homemade dried fresh pineapple.

Chapter 5 is Letting Go of Frustration and, again, so many helpful tips on dealing with that in my daily life were provided. A few of the delicious recipes were to make Churros with dipping sauces, Mint Thumbprint Cookies and Slap it Together Focaccia. Who can stay frustrated when your house smells like herby bread?!

Chapter 6 is about “Connecting to Others” and there are so many yummy treats in this one. Lemon Ricotta Fritters, Jumpin’ Java Cake, Pesto Pull Apart Bread, Limoncello tiramasu in a Glass, and Syrian Carrot Cake (there is a genius secret ingredient swap in this version. You’ll just need to read the cookbook to find out what it is!)

And the last chapter is all about Finding Joy with happy recipes like Confetti Pound Cake, Lemon and Lavendar Cookies and Twix Tart….WHAT?!

I can’t recommend this cookbook highly enough, SO MUCH LOVE was put into this with not just yummy and simple recipes but so much good information so we can feel good in this crazy, wonderful life! Gift one for yourself and gift one to your loved ones and happy baking everyone!

Thank you NetGalley, Chronicle Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on March 21, 2023 and is available for preorder now!

Cooking is one favorite thing, It helps to relax by indulging my mind into something i love.
The cover is so good. I loved these (mouthwatering)photos and the easy to follow instructions for the recipes.
Also the name of the recipes were so cool.
I am definitely going to try these recipes!!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the arc.

Totally delightful! The warm encouraging personality of therapist/master baker Jack Hazan radiates throughout. I loved the unique concept of a baking cookbook entwined with therapeutic sections that boost the spirit. Highly recommended!

I liked this one. I too enjoy baking for comfort. There are a lot of sweet recipes in here. But I felt there are a lot of good recipes that would be comforting in here too.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a great cookbook! The author begins each chapter with an overview of the topic these recipes are designed for like anxiety, mindfulness, etc. and what his experience as a therapist has shown about these. Then he follows it up with recipes that sound so good! Plus there are baking affirmations or food for thought bubbles on each recipe. As someone who bakes a lot for stress relief, I loved this cookbook and probably will buy it when it comes out!