Embracing the Wild and Free: My Sourdough Journey

April 3, 2024: In the words of Thoreau, "all good things are wild and free." This quote has resonated deeply with me throughout my life, leading me to find connections to it in unexpected places, including my kitchen. Sourdough, with its wild fermentation process, embodies this idea perfectly and has become a staple in my life for both its health benefits and its connection to tradition.

The Beauty of Sourdough:

Sourdough bread, with its tangy flavor and airy texture, is not just a delicious treat for me; it's a lifeline. Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with idiopathic gastroparesis, a condition that severely affects my digestive system. To manage my symptoms, I rely on easily digestible foods, and sourdough has become a cornerstone of my diet. Unlike bread made with commercial yeast, sourdough is rich in nutrients, gentle on the stomach, and less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.

Connecting with Tradition:

Beyond its health benefits, I'm drawn to sourdough for its traditional and ancestral roots. As an anthropologist at heart, I find joy in the age-old practice of wild fermentation, where flour and water come alive, bubbling and rising in harmony. This connection to tradition adds a sense of depth and meaning to my culinary endeavors.

Embracing Transformation:

At its core, sourdough embodies the spirit of transformation. Like this wild and free yeast, I strive to embrace change and growth in my own life. Just as sourdough undergoes a metamorphosis from simple ingredients to a flavorful loaf, I too am on a journey of self-discovery and evolution.

In a world filled with processed foods and artificial additives, sourdough stands as a beacon of simplicity and authenticity. For me, it's more than just bread; it's a symbol of resilience, tradition, and connection to the natural world. So, as I knead my dough and watch it rise, I'm reminded to embrace the wild and free spirit of sourdough in all aspects of my life.

Embracing the Seasons: A Journey Towards Self-Discovery and Rebirth

April 29, 2024: As I've gotten older, I've developed a deeper appreciation for the rhythm of the seasons, learning to synchronize my life with their ebb and flow. Summer beckons growth and productivity; Autumn, a celebration of nature's abundance and a time for embracing change; Winter, a season for introspection and slowing down; and Spring, a period of renewal and rebirth. As Winter bids farewell and Spring blossoms before us, I find my own journey echoing the cadence of nature.

The long, cold days of Winter gave me the opportunity to really dig deep and do some soul-searching. Going back to full-time work after the homeschooling years of Covid hit my family hard. Trying to balance my career goals with being there for my kids felt like I was constantly climbing uphill. Even though I poured years into working toward advanced degrees, I started to doubt if this life was what I really wanted. Wanting to build my career while still being present for my family often left me feeling like I was spread too thin.

Juggling household duties, academic pursuits, and later, returning to full-time work, felt like a constant battle. Dealing with sickness, stress and work/school conflicts became routine, leaving me longing for a slower, simpler, more enriching life—one where I could be more present for my family, attend to my health, feel more connected to my community and able to pursue my other passions. For years, I'd daydreamed about Hillyndale Road Farm, a fuzzy vision waiting to take shape. Even though I wasn't sure how to make it happen, there was something pulling me towards this new adventure. I came to terms with the fact that learning is a lifelong journey, and all those years of studying and educating in various capacities had given me a toolbox of skills I could use outside of the classroom.

Throughout my journey, there have been individuals whose influence has left an indelible mark on my life and shaped my worldview. During my college years, professors Marita, Barb, and Vernon ignited a spark within me, introducing me to new perspectives and ways of viewing the world. More recently, authors and fellow homesteaders Shannon Hayes and Jill Winger have been equally influential and inspiring. Following Shannon's advice from the book “Redefining Rich,”, I crafted a quality of life statement, laying the foundation for a more intentional and fulfilling existence—one centered around family, nature, and homesteading endeavors. I decided it was time to dive into my dream and make it a reality.

As the flowers begin to bloom and Spring breathes life into the world once more, the realization of my dreams feels serendipitous. It's a season of rebirth, both for myself and the natural world that surrounds me. I also invite you to pause and reflect on the seasons of your own life. What new beginnings await you this Spring?

Embracing Challenges, Celebrating Triumphs: A Small Business Journey

July 2, 2024: These past six months of launching my cottage bakery and micro farm have been a whirlwind of challenges and triumphs, akin to the highs and lows of motherhood. Starting a small business has proven to be a profoundly humbling journey, filled with exhaustion, inspiration, stress, and enlightenment. I've stumbled through numerous mistakes, yet each one has been a lesson learned.

From baking a single loaf of bread daily to now crafting 75, the journey has been nothing short of an adventure. Sourdough, in particular, is a delicate dance influenced by everything from weather and temperature to fermentation times and dough quantities per container. I've experienced every misstep imaginable—over-proofing, under-proofing, over-baking, under-baking—and encountered equipment failures like broken scales and unreliable refrigerators.

Balancing the demands of growing fruits and vegetables with baking, family life, and a business startup has often felt like a juggling act where I've frequently dropped the ball. The learning curve has been steep, a constant reminder of how much I have yet to master. There were times when I planted seedlings too late, neglected watering, or drowned them in too much.

Yet amid these challenges, I've found immense joy and fulfillment within my community. Providing wholesome, delicious food to my neighbors—and working alongside other local farmers and small business owners—has reshaped my priorities. While self-sufficiency was once my aim, I now cherish being deeply connected to my community and collaborating with other farms and entrepreneurs. Knowing that my efforts contribute to a local food system is profoundly meaningful.

Launching this business was a plunge into the unknown, driven by a willingness to learn and a steadfast commitment. I anticipate making countless more mistakes, but the satisfaction of creating something uniquely mine, and contributing to my community, outweighs any setbacks. Witnessing familiar faces return each week to purchase my breads and baked goods fills me with unparalleled joy.

Thank you all for joining me on this incredible journey, supporting not just a small business but also other local farmers. Together, we're cultivating something truly special.

The Next Chapter: Hillyndale Road Farm Nourished Kitchen 

October 5, 2025: Jane Goodall once said, “You cannot go through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Those words have shaped me more than I can ever express. I still remember sitting outside the UConn Co-Op during my freshman year—back when it was in the middle of campus—reading Walking with the Great Apes and being in absolute awe of those three women. Jane Goodall inspired me to major in Anthropology, to dream of living in Africa, and to dedicate my life to making a positive difference in the world.

While I never became a primatologist, I did go on to study Anthropology at the graduate level and live in South Africa, where I had the incredible experience of seeing primates in the wild. Those experiences—and Jane’s enduring message of compassion—have stayed with me ever since.

A Journey Toward Compassion and Health

Long before college, I made one of my first conscious choices to make a difference: I became a vegetarian. For nearly two decades, I followed a vegetarian, sometimes vegan, and later whole food plant-based lifestyle.

Jane often spoke about the unseen cruelty in factory farming, and her advocacy for animals deeply influenced me. What began as an ethical choice evolved, especially after becoming a mother, into an understanding of the incredible health benefits of a whole food plant-based diet.

So when I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, it was crushing to be told that I could no longer eat that way. The foods that once nourished me—beans, raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds—suddenly made me sick.

Even through that heartbreak, I made a promise: if I was going to eat meat or animal products, they would come from local farmers I trust, raised with care, and given healthy, happy lives. Supporting local agriculture and transparency in food systems became my new way of honoring that same ethical compass.

Returning to a Plant-Based Life

Over time, I’ve found a way to come full circle—returning to a whole food, plant based, no-oil lifestyle that works with my condition. It’s been both a relief and a joy to return to a kitchen filled with plants, experimenting with recipes that feel good and do good.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life is the power of intention—of putting your dreams out into the universe. From dreaming of Africa to building my business, acquiring more farmland and building a farm store, each vision began as a whisper of intention that slowly took root.

The Next Chapter: Hillyndale Road Farm Nourished Kitchen

Today, I’m setting my next intention and sharing it with you: I’m launching a new sister business — Hillyndale Road Farm Nourished Kitchen, L.L.C.

While I’ll continue to operate Hillyndale Road Farm and my licensed home bakery, this new venture will expand out of a commercial kitchen, offering whole food, plant-based prepared meals with no oil.

I’m beyond excited to create delicious, healthy meals made from my own organically grown produce—food that truly nourishes the body and the community.

Nothing like this currently exists in our area. If you’ve ever tried to eat whole food plant based, you know how much time it takes—every sauce, dressing, and marinade must be made from scratch. My goal is to make that lifestyle more accessible by offering thoughtfully crafted, ready-to-eat meals for:

• those already eating this way,

• anyone wanting to add more plants to their diet,

• and everyone who simply loves flavorful, healthful food made with care.

A Season for Balance

As excited as I am, I know that timing matters. Right now, my family responsibilities take center stage—especially during the school year. Between raising kids (and homeschooling one), growing the farm, and running the bakery, life is full (and beautiful) in its own way.

Because of that, Hillyndale Road Farm Nourished Kitchen won’t officially launch until after the end of the school year. Giving myself the space to do it right—thoughtfully and sustainably—is just as important as the food itself.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to sharing photos and videos of the whole food, plant-based meals I’m creating at home. It’s my way of staying connected, testing recipes, and hopefully inspiring others who are curious about eating this way.

Rooted in Intention

This next chapter feels like both a return and a beginning—a chance to bring together everything I’ve learned about health, compassion, and connection through food.