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, and we dive into Christmas, offering tips for stress-free hosting and 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 also shared her recipe for Sweet Potato & Chocolate Marble Gingerbread, which you can find in the newsletter: https://mindbodyspiritfood.substack.com/p/aran-goyoaga

Episode Links

* Mind, Body, Spirit, FOOD Newsletter: https://mindbodyspiritfood.substack.com/

* Find Nicki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickisizemore

* One-on-one sessions with Nicki: https://mindbodyspiritfood.substack.com/p/coaching-and-cooking-sessions

* Aran’s website: https://www.arangoyoaga.com/

* Find Aran on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannellevanille/

* Aran’s latest book (one of my favorite cookbooks), Cannelle et Vanille Bake Simple: https://amzn.to/3ZqCujo

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindbodyspiritfood.substack.com/subscribe