I love empowering people to cook real food and bake sourdough bread through my recipes and courses.
However, I have a confession.
I grew up not liking sourdough bread.
Instead, I grew up eating a standard 90’s diet of lunchables, fast food, delivery pizza, packaged “health” foods with pepto bismol and antacids as supplements.
Then, after I had my first baby, I noticed signs of digestive issues whenever I would change his diaper so I began to change my diet.
After taking an absurd amount of tums for pregnancy heartburn for 9 months and removing dairy and gluten from my diet, the chemistry of my stomach was completely thrown off. The lack of acid in my stomach from too many tums and eating differently caused reflux that burnt the bottom of my esophagus so badly that I could only swallow liquids for several days.
I went to a doctor and the solution they had was medication. I wanted to know what was the cause for this issue I had been dealing with since childhood.
After working with a nutrition therapy practitioner, I learned about real food, gut health, traditional foods, and how real sourdough can be more easily digested, without discomfort for most people.
I picked up bits of sourdough knowledge from a mix of different internet sources and eventually I baked my first loaf of sourdough bread in 2014.
It wasn’t very pretty, but it was edible and great with butter! I had made my first attempt–I had learned to bake sourdough.
I always remind my students to be proud of their first loaf. It is a big achievement, and it only gets easier.
I was a teacher before I became a mom so as my love of sourdough baking and skills grew, I began teaching and developing recipes.
As a mom, I had a small business selling spice mixes and doing real food blogging.
Then, in 2018 I went all in on sourdough. I changed my business name and I was selected to join a small group of other bakers to learn how to bake sourdough and teach others at The Sourdough School in the English countryside. Vanessa Kimbell was an incredible guide and taught about the why behind the what of sourdough and it gave me my “aha” moment that brought clarity to the ins and outs of sourdough.
Since then, I have worked with foster youth, moms groups, couples, and hundreds of other students to teach them the basics of sourdough. I also wrote two bread baking books that have become kitchen mainstays.
While I now LOVE sourdough bread and do bake very often, I’m not always in the kitchen.
Often you’ll find me homeschooling my four kids, driving to a field trip, discussing the next house project with my husband, or snuggling up with my family to watch a movie.
I’m so glad you’re here and I look forward to helping you feel confident and have fun baking sourdough!
I love sourdough… Where are you located? Exactly?
Hi Paula, I’m located outside of Sacramento, CA in the Roseville area.
Very interesting. I found you from an online search for how to travel with my beloved sourdough, named Ado. (Pronunciation: Ahhh-dough)
I’m flying on Tuesday from
Ohio to Sacramento to visit my son and his family. Their only child is turning one on the tenth. 🥰 They actually live in Redding but I’m flying into Sacramento. Thanks so much for the help/advice on how to fly with Ado. Couldn’t bear to leave him home!
Love the name Jo!! That’s awesome! I hope you got to do some baking when you visited! And hopefully it wasn’t too hot for you here. 🙂
Hello, do you offer individual classes ? I am looking to learn how to make a chocolate chip sourdough !
Hi Denee,
I do teach public and private group classes in the Roseville, CA area. But I will be going on maternity leave soon. But my online courses are available! Chocolate chip sourdough is delicious. I’ve included my recipe in my Intro to Sourdough course.
Thank you for “ your story” and your intensive knowledge of sourdough. It is my goal to learn how to, first make me a starter from scratch, then followed by a loaf of sourdough bread. If I am unable to fulfill my goal, by myself, then I will enroll in your class. Your instructions are very explanatory. I have attempted to make 4 starters, but alas, I managed to let them die, or murdered them, accidentally! 😱😱😱🥲 I have given this a break, but since I have invested both time and money into this experience, I am once again , using your method, going to attempt to bring into existence, a “ living “, starter. 🙏 ( It is not in my nature to fail at new ideas or expectations.
I am not usually a baker, but I am a pretty good cook. Even though I have cooked many recipes, I never made a loaf of bread. Sourdough bread seems to be “ the thing” many people are making and enjoying eating. I absolutely love pastry , so I know I will enjoy sourdough bread, especially fresh from the oven! I also have a beautiful Granddaughter that has Celiac disease. Maybe she could tolerate sourdough, or I can learn to make a gluten free version. ( high expectations 💕)…
Well, I have made this comment too lengthy, so I will get back to learning from your “ knowledge “! 💓
Enjoy your new bundle of joy.👶🍼🧷
Thank you so much Sandra!
Sourdough is definitely a fun and worthwhile endeavor but it takes some time. Don’t give up!
I have a free how to make a sourdough starter guide that walks through the process here: Free How to Make A Sourdough Starter Guide