I am back in my kitchen, babes.

I spent most of the day Sunday making some meals for a friend and trying a couple new recipes. Boy did it feel good to make a complete disaster of my kitchen. I am still finding coconut shred’s throughout the house.

This simple, one bowl, coconut bread is fast to whip up and smells absolutely amazing. It turned out beautifully with a golden brown crust on the top. There is a slight hint of cinnamon followed by the nutty chew of coconut. A tasty bread that is great for breakfast, lunch or a midday snack.

Baking is so therapeutic for me. I usually will turn on some music and get totally lost in whatever it is I’m making. Whether it’s cooking or baking, I love to watch simple ingredients transform into beautiful dishes. I think one of the ways I show love best is by gifting people. Sometimes that’s in the form of an actual gift, a bottle of wine, or a jar of granola. I just feel like it’s a giant hug and a way that I show my gratitude to my friends and family for all they do for me.

Sometimes I’ll get stressed out trying to get the perfect picture of food, and stress out about the edit, or blur, or lighting. But the process from the very beginning (scouring the internet and cookbooks) to the end (clicking publish on my blog or licking the last crumb from a plate) can be so rewarding. I love seeing the comments, shares and reblog’s I receive through this blog. I love the smiles and feedback I get when I bake for someone or bring tasty treats to work. I’ve always been that way. I think I watched my Mom do the exact same thing and loved the way people would light up when they saw her coming with a plate of cookies or a pie.

It’s the little things that can really make such an impact or brighten someones day. You may be a terrible baker. Cooking might be your jam. The idea of carefully measuring out a few dozen small powders and ingredients may be your idea of a nightmare. But, you may be able to throw together the most bomb stir fry with whatever you can dig up in the refrigerator (cough…mikey…cough). No matter if you love to spend time in the kitchen or absolutely hate the thought of turning on your stove, I guarantee you are gifted at loving well.

I encourage you to focus on whatever that talent is. Maybe you can write beautiful words to change someones day. Or perhaps you give a kick ass back massage. Whatever you’re best at, try sharing it with someone today or this week. Not only will you leave someone feeling lighter, loved and with a smile on your face but I promise you it will brighten your day as well!