I've tried several recipes from the book with my kids and they loved them. I requested this book because baking has always been my hobbie, but it became more than that when the country went into lockdown. It was what kept me busy and my mind on task to fight the anxiety the pandemic brought.

I like that the author put in little sections on how steps to center yourself when feeling anxiety and even information about mental health.

This is an amazing book for people who enjoy baking and are also struggling with mental health. But if both of those things don't apply to you, there's a lot of discussion of feelings amongst these recipes, so if you're looking for a standard baking cookbook, this isn't it.
Recipes are split into chapters based on how you're feeling at that particular time. Each chapter intro gives a few pages of helpful background, written almost like a chat with a friend. The recipes in each chapter are supposed to help you with that feeling, either through the actions you take in preparing the recipe, or some characteristic of the finished treat. From the intro to the last chapter, Finding Joy, the author says, "Mindfulness allows you to center yourself and tune out distractions. Finding Comfort helps you experience solace when life seems overwhelming. Dealing with Stress and Anxiety lets you focus on the good things in your life. Letting Go of Frustration allows you to relax into the present moment. And Connecting with Others in an authentic way
creates deeper and stronger bonds. The
secret? Baking is a joyful experience. Good
food = happiness."
I loved that each chapter included a Quick Session brief page or two with some therapeutic ideas, and each recipe had a Baking Affirmation or Food For Thought. The recipes in this book sound delicious also, and each has a beautiful full color photo. There are brief intros to the recipes, explaining their relation to the chapter, their origin, and/or any family history - some in here are from the author's mother or other relatives.
I absolutely loved this book, and how it wove baking into mental health, because I've often said that baking is stress relieving for me.

Baking being the best form of therapy is 100% correct. Mind over Batter 75 Recipes for Baking as Therapy by Jack Hazan is a great recipe book.
Easy to use instruction. The images are bright and beautiful

What a cool idea. I suffer from anxiety and always found solace in my family’s kitchen. This book takes that up a notch. Not only are the recipes lovely, the quick sessions and tips are amazing.

As a hobby/stress baker, this was such a great idea. Many comforting, sweet treat and simple recipes intertwined with mental health and therapy insights. It’s a great blend of the two and really meets you where you’re at in the kitchen.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a cookbook that I thought would be really cute, and some of the recipes are fun, however, it just wasn’t relatable for me to get into, but loved seeing how this journey for Jack led to encouraging others especially with something fun, like baking.

I really enjoyed the tips and tricks for mindful baking. I've tried several of the recipes and they were not only easy to follow but they were also delicious. We have a lot of patrons really interested in exploring mindfulness, so this will be a great addition to our collection.

Baking and self-care?! Yes, please!! I loved the premise of this book. It is unique and transcends the typical cookbook you might have found in your home growing up. Part autobiographical, part self-help, with plenty of delicious and unintimidating recipes - there is something for everyone in Mind over Batter. I personally enjoyed the author's narrative between sections. To be honest, with the advent of food blogging and eBooks, cookbooks are a dime a dozen today. But cookbooks that address how to not only nourish the body but the mind and the soul? Those are more elusive (and should be protected at all costs!). Hazan has a writing style that is both inviting and engaging. His recipes, which are the heart of any self-professed cookbook, not only sound delightfully delicious, but his story is equally compelling. The recipes themselves are made with easily sourceable ingredients, with clear and concise instructions, and accompanied by beautiful photos. While the recipes themselves are influenced by the author's Syrian Jewish heritage, the therapeutic principles discussed are universal truths and therefore easily extendable to other areas of culinary creation. Now that I have read the book, I can't wait to get in the kitchen and cook. Now I just need to settle on a recipe. Better than Sex Cake, or Cheesecake with Pomegranate Twist?... or both?!

I received 'Mind over Batter' by Jack Hazan to review through NetGalley. I found this book enticing, but lacking the content I was looking for in a cookbook.

Jack Hazan describes each section of the book by using different therapy techniques and relating it back to baking techniques. These pages were the most interesting of the book, whereas I was expecting (&wanting) this to be the recipes themselves. Based on the size of the book I found most of the recipes were not a true fit for me. I would have loved to seen more images of the finished product - maybe this would have changed my mind on the recipes & actually wanting to try them?

Initial attraction thoughts: The title & cover design were an instant grab, the colors and design layout work so well together, it's clean and polished and appears to be a book I would want to display in my kitchen or bakeshop.
Overall rating: 3 out 5
Pub Date: 21 March 2023

"Mind over a Batter" is having a friend come over who is friend, therapist, and master baker rolled into one. The book starts with a lovely introduction to our author, the baking therapist. Each subsequent chapter is devoted to one emotional state or issue. Each begins with what might be considered part of a talk-therapy session with a completely non-judgemental friend followed by recipes both sweet and savory. There are chapters on self-care, mindfulness, finding comfort, dealing with stress and anxiety, letting go of frustration,, connecting with others, and finding joy. I was immediately drawn to the focaccia recipe in the frustration chapter; I admit that slapping that dough around was therapeutic even on a day when perhaps I didn't need that particular outlet. And the focaccia was delicious! I'm on to the dessert for one in a mug (found under self-care) next.

Thanks go to Jack Hazan, chronicle Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to review.

I love the pun title of this book. It does tell readers/bakers what this took is about. The author, a therapist, offers recipes that he believes have a therapeutic value, hence the subtitle which is 75 recipes for baking as therapy.

A few of the chapter headings are Self-Care, Finding Comfort, Dealing with Stress and Anxiety, and Connecting with Others. Each section includes self-help and recipes.

In his introduction the author notes that baking engages all of the senses and is easily available. He shares the biographical information that led him from a traditional Syrian Jewish family of immigrants to his becoming a therapist-baker. This is worth reading before going to the recipes.

There are helpful therapeutic sections in this book. For example, early on, there is a section on setting boundaries. There are also, of course, beautiful photos and delicious recipes. Make the Self-Care in a Cup Cake. It serves one; sometimes that is just the right amount. Try some of the others as well.

I very much liked the approach of this book. I think that I may purchase the hard copy for me or someone I know.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Great cookbook with a good purpose. Using food as a way to help with self-care is fantastic and it is backed up by a licensed therapist

Excellent cookbook. I've been wanting to get into baking more (I'm kind of bad at it -- I hate to measure! I prefer cooking) so this really helped me.

Requested this because I love reading cookbooks and use cooking as selfcare I was immediately drawn to the concept of the book and was interested to see how the author would pull together baking, mental health and self-care.
I really liked the layout and structure of the book that made it easy to align recipes with your state of mind. I didn't mind that there is a lot of narrative happening in this cookbook but it may not be your cup of tea if you are looking for a cookbook with a more traditional feel. I was impressed with the number of recipes and the variety although I felt like it leaned towards the sweet side. Nice pictures and recipes that seem both delicious and the right level of challenging.
This was an enjoyable cookbook to read and I definitely recommend checking it out.

As a former social worker and a person who cooks/bakes to relax, this book was made for me. I loved the sections focused on mental health and how baking can serve as a therapeutic activity. Sometimes just the act of making something from scratch where you get a tangible (and tasty!) result can turn a day around--especially if you are working on long-term projects at work where it feels like results are so far away. Plus, if you share your baking, you get to make other people a little happier too.

In addition to the helpful information about mental health, this cookbook is also chock full of delicious-looking recipes and photos. There is a good mix of simple, accessible recipes and others that are more aspirational for when you're feeling adventurous. If you ever find yourself eating cookie dough straight from the package when stressed, get this book and bake yourself something wonderful from scratch instead.

This cookbook was so soothing and well written. As someone who has bipolar 2 disorder and finds a lot of great solace and peace in cooking, I love the concept of this book. It definitely delivers and I will be getting it for my friends.

As someone who loves saying baking is my therapy this book felt very on-brand for me! I loved the mixture of baking recipes with mental health tidbits throughout. That may not be for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The names chosen for some items were incredible and so fun. There are so many recipes I want to try and so many I want to share with friends. This is definitely a cookbook I will be gifting to everyone!!

Thanks Netgalley for a chance to read this before its release date. I loved it, and such a unique book. Each chapter covers a self help topic, anxiety, mindfulness etc. The chapters discuss steps to take in improving and then give several recipes for each topic. I can't wait to buy this book once it's available and try the recipes.

This was a different kind of cookbook. I'm not sure how the recipes were grouped into the categories they were. Most had photos but not all. There were some fun names for the recipes. I probably won use this often, but you never know.

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. I really enjoyed the unique premise of combining mental health and self care tips and baking. Thinking about it, it totally makes sense, so it’s about time we see more books like this one. The recipes are interesting and the stories and tips made this book such a great read! I’m glad to have come across this gem.