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Hello my friends, and welcome back to the podcast! I’m so happy you’re here. Today we’re diving into holiday hosting, gluten-free baking, and healing around food with award winning cookbook author, photographer and professionally trained pastry chef Aran Goyoaga. Her latest two books include: Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple and Cannelle et Vanille: Nourishing, Gluten-Free Recipes for Every Meal and Mood.
Aran describes her childhood growing up in her grandparent’s pastry shop in the Basque region of Spain and explains how baking became her connection back to her family when she moved the United States in her early twenties (and how she eventually left the corporate world to become a pastry chef). Aran also shares her journey going gluten-free due to health issues after her kids were born (you can hear my story here), and we dive into Christmas, offering tips for stress-free hosting as well as gluten-free baking.
Aran also opens up early in the conversation (11:14) about how she found healing around food after experiencing an eating disorder in her early twenties. As we’ve explored here on this podcast, food can be so nuanced—it can be a driver for connection and love, and at the same it can be a source of deep stress, particularly for women. We share these stories here to let you know that you’re not alone if you’ve ever felt anything similar, and also that there’s healing to be found.
Aran has shared her recipe for Sweet Potato & Chocolate Marble Gingerbread, which is both gluten-free and dairy-free. You can get the recipe here!
Finally, if you need more support this season, I’m here to help. In my one-on-one coaching and cooking sessions I work with clients to help them disconnect from the myriad ways we’re conditioned around food in order to find more ease and freedom as both cooks and eaters. I would love to work with you if the work calls to you. The sessions also make for great gifts (I can send you a gift certificate to print)! Learn more here.
You can listen to (or watch) today’s episode right here, or, better yet, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, or You Tube.
If the episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends and rate it on your podcast app (it really helps!). You can also support this ad-free work by upgrading to a paid membership or gifting one to a friend.
Thank you so much for your support!
xo, Nicki
Episode Links
Aran’s website
Find Aran on Instagram
Aran’s latest book (one of my favorite cookbooks of all time!), Cannelle et Vanille Bake Simple
My story:
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