Dear friends,
In 2020, during the Circuit Breaker, I shared how mental health almost broke me. Overwhelmed and exhausted, I tried to juggle too much on my own. Reeling from retrenchment, caring for my two daughters, running digital marketing projects, and baking healthier treats (the start of Guilt Free Food!). A simple question from a friend, “How are you?” opened the floodgates and reminded me of something I had forgotten, that we are not meant to do life alone.
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What I’ve Learned Since
Since that season, I’ve carried one truth with me: no one is an island. Humans are social creatures. We need each other, to listen, share and carry the weight together.
These days, I no longer bottle up my fears. I speak openly with my family and let my daughters see that struggles are simply part of life. I lean on my husband, who’s also running his own business and knows firsthand the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Sharing, unloading and being honest help me let go of unnecessary stress.
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Why Community Matters
For me, Guilt Free Food is part of this journey too. Food is never just about calories or fuel. It’s about comfort, connection and community. When a customer tells me our zero-sugar cinnamon roll allows their diabetic parent to enjoy dessert again, or when a son shares how his dad missed bread until our high-protein brioche came along, I’m reminded that everything we bake carries a story.
Our menu reflects these connections:
- Zero-Sugar Cinnamon Rolls → comfort that’s kind to blood sugar.
- Reduced-Sugar Mochi Muffins → indulgence without the crash.
- High-Protein Brioche → born from a customer’s wish for his father to enjoy bread again.
- Sourdough Crackers with Creamy Dips → a savoury, nourishing alternative for those who want balance without sweetness.
Each of these exists because of real needs, real conversations and real lives.
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Food, Mood & Mental Health
Research increasingly shows what many of us already feel: diets high in sugar can impact mood, fuelling irritability, anxiety and stress. On the other hand, balanced choices like reduced- or zero-sugar bakes, or savoury snacks with protein and fibre, help keep energy steady and moods calmer.
That’s why I believe food can play a role in caring for our minds as well as our bodies. Choosing well doesn’t have to mean choosing less joy, it simply means choosing differently.
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Let’s Walk Together
This World Mental Health Day, I want to remind you: you don’t have to do life on your own. Take a moment and ask someone sincerely, “How are you?” .
And if someone asks you, be brave enough to answer honestly.
Because none of us are meant to walk alone, not in business, not in family and certainly not in health.
With warmth, Joyce
👉 Discover our Zero Sugar Collection, High-Protein Brioche, and Sourdough Cracker with Dips, treats and snacks that care for the body and mind.
