What Bikram Yoga has taught me about baking, By Kimm Moore

What Bikram Yoga has taught me about baking.

By Kimm Moore
cupcakes and cookware

When I am not working, baking, blogging, or tweeting, I am practicing Bikram's (pronounced "Beek-Rim") yoga. Now, exactly what is Bikram yoga and how does it differ from other types of yoga? Answer: Bikram is a guy. A hardcore yoga guy who created a series of 26 set postures and 2 breathing exercises.

Bikram yoga is a type of Hatha yoga (Buddish origins), also known as hot yoga. Yes, it is always done in a hot, heated, and humid practice room. Why? Heat helps your muscles relax, therefore you can stretch better, and it makes you sweat.....buckets. Sweating is a naturally way for your body to cool itself down and detox any nasty stuff that is inside your body. Bikram's yoga tends to be more difficult, disciplined, and well, harder than other types of yoga out there today. (Now, don't be scared to try it! There are many life dedicated Bikram yogis in the community. Remember you are never too old, too sick, or too injured to START.)

Time for the lessons...

When I am taking class, the teacher always speaks the same dialogue...over and over again. Really? How can taking the same class teach me anything new?

Welcome to lesson number one:

I must try and never give up. Giving up lasts forever, trying does not.

In life, especially in baking, we need to do things over and over again until we have mastered them. Did my first brioche loaf turn out golden and delicious? Nope. How about my chocolate chiffon cake? Nah. Even my first attempt at French buttercream turned into a sweet, soupy mess. See, in life, we learn by attempts, fails, and mistakes. Yoga taught me if I fall out of a posture, I must grab my leg again and try, and try, and try.....

Every day is different. What affects my daily class? The weather, season, class size, teacher, how much water I drank, time of day, what I ate throughout the day, etc. The list goes on and on.

This brings me to lesson number two:

I am unable to change what I cannot. I may not be able to change the environment or situation I am presently in, but I can change my mind about it.

If I forget to order a special ingredient, prep my pans properly, buy enough cupcake wrappers, or preheat the oven correctly, there is not much I can do to 'un-do' my mistake. But, I can adjust my actions accordingly and make sure it comes out a sweet success. Yoga taught me if I can change my mind, I can change my life.   Read More >>

"Thinking Redmond" - Kimm Moore's small business catering service

Kimm Moore of Sweetness Catering

"Thinking Redmond" - First in a series of interviews with Redmond small businesses.

"Chai-spiced cupcakes with mocha butter cream, dusted with cinnamon and cocoa power".

Wow!  Doesn't that sound delectable?

Kimm sent me home with these sweets after her interview with RNB last week in the "Microsoft Commons" lobby.

Yes! they're absolutely one of the best cupcakes I've ever wrapped my watering mouth around (next to my mom's cupcakes of course)! 

Kimm Moore is a Redmond resident of two years. Her family are natives of Woodinville. She has two brothers; her mother works at Overlake School.  Kimm started her part-time pastry catering business, "Sweetness Catering", about a year ago with wedding cakes and custom cupcakes.  She already averages over two events per month. Kimm's full-time job is culinary and pastry chef for the Spitfire Restaurant in Redmond's "Microsoft Commons".

When we first met for the interview, I knew right away Kimm was perfect for the business. Her warm smile, and friendly, engaging personality are just as sweet as the pastry catering craft she practices.  In fact, some of her customers even call her "Sweetness"!  Kimm is passionate about the pastries she creates, the people she meets and it shows in her work. 

"I love baking for other people because it makes me a part of their lives and their special events."

Kimm's a professional.  She trained at the Art Institute of Seattle where she received her Associate of Applied Culinary Arts.  In Seattle's First Annual Cupcake Camp, Kimm received "honorable mention": for  "Kimm-Chi" Cupcakes and second place for Healthy Cupcakes.  She placed third overall National Bread Baking Competition in Vancouver, BC.  She also works with the Overlake School, in Redmond, making v.i.p. desserts and vegan/gluten-free baked goods. 

Kimm has dreams of expanding her catering business.  Six months ago she started a blog to reach out to Redmond's  "foodie-people".  She loves to blog about specific ingredients (like vanilla), kitchen tips (like sifting), and pastry ideas.  Since interviewing with RNB Kimm started a interview-series on local businesses:  "Know Where to Spend Your Dough"!   You are awesome, Kimm!  Happy Blogging!

Blog:  http://sweetnesscatering.blogspot.com/   Email:  kimm1231@live.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetness-Catering/144591878909899?v=wall&filter=1

Interview with Bob Yoder
Photo from Kimm's blog