Health and Wellness

Home Baking...Benefits and Beyond

Baking Brings Benefits Beyond Sweet Treats

Whether you're making muffins for breakfast or baking bread to share with family, time spent in the kitchen can support more than just a meal. According to the Home Baking Association, baking offers practical, emotional, educational, and wellness benefits that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

How Baking Supports Health and Wellness

Encourages Family Connection Baking creates opportunities to spend time together, share responsibilities, and build memories. Children, teens, and adults can all participate, making the kitchen a place for learning and connection.

Supports Mental Well-Being Baking is a hands-on activity that encourages focus and creativity while providing a break from screens and daily stressors. Many people find comfort and satisfaction in creating something from simple ingredients.

Builds Life Skills Following recipes helps develop reading, measuring, and problem-solving skills. Children gain confidence as they learn kitchen tasks and contribute to family meals and snacks.

Increases Awareness of Food Choices Preparing baked goods at home allows families to better understand ingredients and make choices that fit their preferences and nutritional goals. Home bakers can experiment with whole grains and other ingredients while learning more about how food is prepared.

Can Save Money Baking at home is often more economical than purchasing prepared baked goods. It can also help reduce food waste by using ingredients already available in the pantry.

A Simple Activity for All Ages

Sharon Davis, a consultant with the Home Baking Association, encourages families to view baking as an activity rather than a performance.

"There are so many simple places to start," Davis said. "Baking draws your family together and everyone can contribute."

Learn More

The Home Baking Association offers recipes, educational resources, and a glossary of baking terms at www.homebaking.org.

For additional food, nutrition, and wellness resources, contact the K-State Extension Flint Hills District Extension office.

Source: Adapted from information shared by Sharon Davis, Home Baking Association, during a K-State Extension Family and Consumer Sciences training.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Impacts of Suicide on Communities - a Sound Living Podcast

September is Suicide Awareness Month.

The rate of suicide in Kansas increased 65 percent between 2001 and 2020. Most people who attempt suicide make some type of health care visit in the weeks or months before the attempt.

How is Kansas responding? Zero Suicide.

The Kansas Department of Health and Human Services received grant funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address the alarming suicide trend in Kansas. Zero Suicide is a framework to improve suicide care for those within health and behavioral health system. You can access the Zero Suicide CONNECTS Toolkit to learn about red flags and what you can do. Click HERE to download. Looking for a fact sheet on Suicide Prevention? Click HERE for an informational publication.

Need help RIGHT NOW?

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, worried about a loved one, or would like emotional support. Learn more or chat online 24/7 at 988lifeline.org.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Understanding Hospice

When you hear the word Hospice, what comes to mind? Sometimes what we perceive about hospice is much more daunting than what Hospice actually is. Learn more about the important and valuable role Hospice provides during times of great need in the K-State Extension publication Understanding Hospice. Click HERE to download and read this informative fact sheet.

Protect Your Skin From the Sun is a fact sheet about the dangers of sun exposure, the types of related skin cancer, and some common sense actions to take to avoid overexposure. Click HERE to learn more!

K-State Extension - Sound Living Podcasts

Check out these podcast recordings relating to health and wellness:

Discovering the Power of Nutrition

Understanding and Managing Blood Pressure

 

Needing some self-help guidance on handling everyday stress? Click HERE to download Managing Stress: Turning Challenges into Blessings for a fun and light resource that can build your resiliency and coping skills.

Looking to start a new family tradition? Check out this Sourdough Starter Recipe article and enjoy time with family and friends in the kitchen!

Are you looking for a new way to step in to better health? Walk Kansas links on the left hand column are working! Please click on them to find the information you may be looking for. If you have more questions, call us.