The Beach Bum Baker

03/22/2025

A fun first flyby with . Used coconut and almond meal along with some other binder grains + butter. Tasty but need to tweak the recipe as a bit crumbly. It’s a work in progress, like me 😉 A delicious day of eating & drinking at the Elloree Trials. 🏇

02/03/2025

Yay me! What are you cookin up today? 🍳

01/31/2025

My breakfast in Spain.

My goal is to eat somewhat healthily for three’ish weeks on the provisions we bought ($111 worth) and a little of the pantry staples the home owners have on hand. I’m far out in the country and have no transportation options. (Not what I was expecting when I said yes to cat sitting for five weeks….) But I’m tackling it as a challenge!

This is my fourth solo breakfast and I made something I’d never considered: carrot cinnamon oats topped with kiwis (owners left a dozen on the fridge from their bush as it’s kiwi season!) and a toasted nut/seed combo. Pretty awesome!

Trying to embrace eating for nourishment rather than “because it’s time to eat” and paying as little attention to the clock as possible. I wonder how long this will last me? I def ate half a rainbow for brekkie! 🌈 It’s a good guide when seeking to make “healthy” choices!!

1/4 c whole oats
1/2 c water
1/2 a shredded carrot
Salt
Cinnamon
1 tsp sugar
Boiled gently till soft. Added a splash more of water as they dried out before softening. Use your judgement. Can also do in microwave… cook 60-90 seconds! *my hosts don’t have one!

Topped with kiwis, coconut, hazelnut, sesame, chia & pumpkin seeds & pine nuts.

01/24/2025

In Spain for six weeks and have eaten wheat every day… no brain fog, no gut issues, no joint pain. In fact, my body feels the best that has in years! Go figure…. Maybe I’m not gluten intolerant but rather intolerant to “GMO red wheat sprayed with Monsanto”. 🤨

Anyhoo, loving this time to Practice the Pause, cook with amazing ingredients and cheat (my normal homemade….) with some Italian pasta!! ❤️ Ciao Ciao!

01/09/2025

This woman both inspired my recipes (years ago) but also halted my recipe development efforts. She is THAT good! 😊 Trying these today. Stay tuned! I’m waiting for her croissant recipe to be finalized…. Ooooh how I love a croissant! 🥐❤️

These gluten free ciabatta rolls are deliciously crusty with a soft, chewy open crumb filled with large irregular holes, and they're super easy to make!

12/23/2024

SWIPE to see the cookie fun!
I’m baking for friends, neighbors & family and not customers! What a difference a year makes! I hope you’ve used your GF well and have rustled up sweets and treats for your families!! ❤️🎄

Happy Xmas to you all! I’ll be archiving this page in 2025, as I lean into writing and traveling….. head over and follow to stay up to date on the wanderings & ponderings of The Barefoot Optimist! 😘

12/17/2024

This Friday! My friend & neighbor 🩵💙

Looking forward to doing the Artist Shelf Takeover at STUMP Savannah this Friday Evening from 4-8 p.m. I will have new cyanotype work and a few fancy things on offer. It will be a great opportunity to pick up a unique gift for someone special on your holiday gift list. Big ups to STUMP Savannah for supporting local artist and makers - connecting them with their community!

STUMP is located at 1612 Bull Street in the Starland District.

Partners With the Sun
Manda Faye Dunigan

12/10/2024

Solo on St Simons this week.
Craving a teriyaki and rice meal…. Pivot! Made something from leftovers and fridge staples!

Calrose rice w/onions, garlic, mushrooms, fried tofu, spinach, sesame seeds…. Sauce: BBQ, soy, garlic chile paste, smidge of brown sugar and rounded flavor mash-up out w/a splash of worcestershire.
YUM!

12/01/2024

There’s something happening here… ❤️
It’s been a hot minute since I invented and pivoted in the kitchen, but this weekend has me inspired. *Will add pic when baked 😉

The Beach Bum Baker Cinnamon Roll recipe, with a flour pivot (because I ran out of my preferred blend.) Cranberry Relish atop the filling, led to less sugar… (also delish in oatmeal!)

https://keytomylime.com/cranberry-relish-recipe/ -creation-374-jtr

11/03/2024

Thank you The Loopy Whisk for an awesome bagel recipe! 🥯

10/25/2024

Happy-ness is TGIF breakfast with my guys, Henry’s last Fri-Yay home with us for awhile….

10/17/2024

PIVOTS!

#1 Yesterday I navigated a sourdough hankering, knowing that it’s a delayed reward situation, as sourdough needs 24+ hours. An ingredient pivot as I’m out of the normal blend I kept on hand… I said “kept” as I conjured up quite a delish substitute and I think I’m done with pre-made blends!!

Mine: Brown rice, corn & tapioca starches, amaranth, psyllium husk, millet, and a wee bit o’sugar. Need to tweak ratios as loaf flattened, but the airy texture as great, nutty flavor delish and crust was über crunchy! Winning! A little extra effort with all the ingredients, but worth it in end!

#2 Life pivot…. Resigned last week from teaching. Too many grievances not addressed and several were safety concerns. I am a free-thinking spirit, who dances easily around & amongst chaos, but danger isn’t my middle name these days.

No worries. Now I have time to finish the dang book, bake & cool lots of amazing things, winterize garden, build a greenhouse(?!) and plan our international adventures. Not bad gigs. Payment in love and adoration from family is 💯 worth it! Glad I held my boundaries, sad I couldn’t say goodbye to my students… 💔 Life goes on.