It’s hard to take a breather when you live with family, but sometimes you just need to say – it’s time. For my mental health it’s time.

One of my favourite ways to relax and take a breather is to bake. I love the way it makes me feel – I concentrate on a recipe, take my time putting things together, and then the satisfaction of getting it in the oven and then, of course, the smell of the baking. There’s nothing better than that for me.

Last night, I did just that. I found a recipe for pate a choux and vanilla pastry cream and decided to make them for the first time. It was a good practice run.

Once they were ready, I filled them with the pastry cream and drizzled some chocolate on top. They are delicious! I do need to work on my piping skills but I was very pleased with myself on how they turned out.

I slept so well last night because of the baking – it is amazing how calming it is for me. It’s my own kind of meditation.