Tuesday

Sponsored By:

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

Welcome to Tuesday! Today, we're chatting about:

• How baking can boost your mood

• Baking bread for self-care

• Never ask what’s for dinner again: your ultimate guide to easy meals

• Perfect vanilla cupcake recipe

Need a Mood Boost? Bake Something

Baking isn’t just for birthdays or rainy Sundays—it’s a surprisingly effective form of self-care. The act of mixing, measuring, and making something from scratch can actually support your mental health in small but meaningful ways.

When you bake, your brain gets a break from everything else. Following a recipe pulls you into the present moment—kind of like mindfulness, but with muffins. Studies have shown that creative activities like baking can reduce stress hormones like cortisol and even boost mood and well-being.

There’s also the sensory side: the warm smell of cinnamon, the feel of soft dough, the satisfying sight of a golden crust. It’s a full-body experience that can nudge your brain into a calmer, more relaxed state. And yes, licking the spoon totally counts.

And here’s a bonus—baking can connect us. Sharing a batch of cookies with a neighbor or inviting a friend to help frost cupcakes builds more than just your dessert table. It builds community, too.

Baking Bread at Home: A Simple, Satisfying Hobby

Baking bread at home is a rewarding and surprisingly easy skill to pick up. With just four simple ingredients—flour, water, salt, and yeast—you can create delicious, bakery-quality loaves in your own kitchen. It’s an enjoyable hobby that anyone can start, even if you’ve never baked before.

Why should you bother? For starters, it’s healthier. Store-bought bread often contains unrecognizable preservatives and additives. Homemade bread, however, is free from all those extras and made with wholesome ingredients. The best part? It doesn’t need to last for months on a shelf, so it feels far more authentic.

If you’ve got guests coming over, there’s nothing quite as impressive as a homemade loaf. Not only does it look impressive, but it also brings a comforting warmth to any dinner table. It’s the perfect gesture, whether you're gifting it to a host or just adding it to your own dinner spread.

Baking your own bread is a small rebellion against the mass-produced food world. It connects you to the food you eat and provides a sense of accomplishment. Once you get started, you'll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!

Never Ask What’s for Dinner Again: Your Ultimate Guide to Easy Meals

You want to feel better. But between busy days and tired nights, getting more veggies on your plate can feel like a full-time job, which is why Purple Carrot is here to help.

Only 1 in 10 Americans gets the recommended servings of fruits and veggies, even though they’re essential for longevity, a stronger immune system, better heart health, and more.

Purple Carrot makes it easy to get more good food on your plate with zero effort—dishing up plants any way that works for you.

They’re the only 100% plant-based meal delivery service in the US, with Meal Kits, Ready to Eat meals & sides, and a curated selection of Grocery items. Shop for exactly what you want each week from Purple Carrot’s chef-crafted, dietitian-approved menus. Then they deliver straight to your door so you can focus on the good part: eating damn good food.

Feeling better starts now. Click here to try Purple Carrot and get 50% off with free shipping—a limited-time offer!

Plus, explore Purple Carrot’s plans, see what’s on the menu, and learn how effortless plant-based eating can be.

Thank you to Purple Carrot for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes

If you’ve ever wondered why vanilla cupcakes don’t get the love they deserve, it’s because most homemade versions fall flat. This recipe brings vanilla cupcakes to new heights: soft, fluffy, and packed with a rich vanilla flavor that beats anything from a box or bakery.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (preferably Madagascar vanilla)

• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.

5. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

6. Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips:

• For an extra lift and fluffiness, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.

• Want to make them gluten-free? Simply swap in a gluten-free flour mix, following the packaging recommendations.

Enjoy your cupcakes plain or decorate them with your favorite frosting for a fun, personal touch!

A Note From Us

Wellness Round-Up:

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True! Digging in the dirt isn’t just good for your plants — it’s good for your mental health. Studies show gardening can lower cortisol and increase serotonin, your brain’s feel-good chemical.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers’ lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!