Baking Bread and Growing Your Spirit with One Hundred Loaves: Breadmaking as Meditation

One Hundred Loaves: Breadmaking as Meditation, by Carol Pentleton, is a uniquely thoughtful cookbook that has just been published by The Digital Artist and is available through Amazon.com In contrast to the competitive, one-upsmanship nature of much food writing these days, One Hundred Loaves focuses on the contemplative aspects of the act of baking. The author views each loaf as an opportunity for personal growth as well as wonderful eating.

(PRWEB) January 7, 2006 -- One Hundred Loaves: Breadmaking as Meditation, by Carol Pentleton, is a uniquely thoughtful cookbook that has just been published by The Digital Artist and is available through Amazon.com

In contrast to the competitive, one-upsmanship nature of much food writing these days, One Hundred Loaves focuses on the contemplative aspects of the act of baking. The author views each loaf as an opportunity for personal growth as well as wonderful eating.

“The beauty of making bread by hand is that you get to touch it and smell it and look at it and taste it and even listen to it,” says author Carol Pentleton. “The dough is always telling you something. Just knead the bread, and then there is bread and perhaps something else: perhaps there is a change in the atmosphere or a change in you. All you have to do is be genuinely present in the creative moment.”

One Hundred Loaves: Breadmaking as Meditation is as much a meditation as a cookbook. It brings together one hundred original recipes inspired by global traditions, words of wisdom from philosophers and wits through the ages, and guides to mindfulness during the breadmaking process.

The book includes thorough basic instruction in the art and science of baking bread that will ensure success, even for beginners. Subsequent chapters focus on specific breadmaking methods and traditions, such as

· Conventional and uncommon leavenings

· Traditional, alternate and multiple grains

· Breads from virtually every corner of the world

· Sweet breads

· Herbal and savory breads

Although bread is often connected with spirit (it's mentioned in prayers and used in liturgy, for example), One Hundred Loaves stands alone in its intentional meditative and multicultural approach to breadmaking.

The author's experience as a bread baker began as a teenager, and she has created, tested and collected recipes for almost thirty years. As an adult, she started to make bread as a social activity, in the company of friends. The conversation and companionship awakened her to the larger significance inherent in this experience. Her background in the creation of cookbooks includes serving as the freelance editor and designer of two cookbooks for Edible Editions (The Occasional Cookie and The Fabulous Fresh Vegetable, both written by Bobbi Cobb). The author is also an artist and designer, who regularly exhibits her work in galleries in the United States. She is also the creator of The Digital Artist, a global exhibit and art business destination for artists, designers, artisans and art buyers.

Carol Pentleton lives and works in Chepachet, Rhode Island, USA.

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