About me

I first became passionate about food when I was in high school in Toronto. I worked part-time as a Cuisinart demonstrator. I actually sliced my finger open and required 7 stitches on my very first day. Shockingly, the company didn’t fire me. In fact they sent me flowers and paid me for my lost shifts until my finger healed. I still have the scar. In high school, I never considered a culinary career.

I earned an MBA degree and worked in marketing for about 4 years after graduating from University. However, it just didn’t fulfill my creative needs. After getting married I went back to Culinary School in Toronto and worked for several years in the industry, cooking at restaurants, gourmet take-out food shops and catering. In 1989 we started a family and shortly after that moved to Ottawa. After I had my three children, I decided to stay at home and raise them. Working in the food industry is not conducive to family life.

Now that the kids are almost grown up (20, 19 and 17) I have been slowly easing my way back into the food world. I am writing a food column here in Ottawa. I love the creative process involved in writing. I decided to start this food blog after joining the Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge. I used it as a way to chronicle this baking journey. Once the challenge was over, I was hooked on blogging. I love both the writing and the photography.

I called my blog Salt and Serenity because I crave both on a regular basis. I have always loved the combination of sweet and salty. I guess it began when I was little. I’d eat my Halloween candy in a very particular way. First a bite of a mini chocolate bar, then a potato chip. Later on, I graduated to mixing a box of Milk Duds into my popcorn bag at the movies. A little salt from the popcorn, followed by the occasional hit of sweetfrom the Milk Duds. Currently I get my salty-sweet hit from Lindt Fleur de Sel Chocolate. There are 12 bars in my fridge at any given time. I take tiny bites and let the chocolate melt on my tongue until I get the crunch from the salt crystal.

The craving for serenity began many years ago. Just before I had my first child I read a quote that really resonated with me. “A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home. ” I promised myself that I’d try to do just that. Wow, was I ever naive. Anyone with three teenagers (the youngest with special needs) will tell you that a serene home is just not possible. But a regular Iyengar Yoga practice, judicious amounts of salt and baking help me to stay serene.

19 thoughts on “About me”

  2. Yvonne

    Hi Cindy,
    I found your blog whilst searching for macadamia nut cookies some time ago (? two years, perhaps). Your recipe is fantastic and also the lemon coconut shortbread cookies.

    Coconut granola is a family favourite and I’ve been trying to find the coconut slices in the recipe you use. I would rather buy locally, too, but that product is not available in my area (the local BB does not carry it). Any ideas, please, regarding a Canadian source without exorbitant shipping charges?

    Thanks for the great blog.

    Reply ↓
    1. saltandserenity Post author

      Hi Yvonne. I buy mine from a health food store here in Ottawa where I live. I would suggest trying that type of store, instead of Bulk Barn. Failing that, check out this site:
      https://store.nutiva.com/coconut-chips/
      They will ship for free to Canada if your order is over $80, or if less than that, a flat fee shipping rate of $6.00.
      Good luck. Enjoy your granola!!

      Reply ↓
  4. Allison (Spontaneous Tomato)

    I just found your blog and skimmed through a few of your posts– I love your writing style! I’m also going to send a link to your recipe index to my fiancee, since she is really into baking breads and LOVES the Bread Baker’s Apprentice cookbook. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. saltandserenity Post author

      Thanks for the compliment Allison, glad you found my blog. I went and visited your blog and am very excited to try the Za’atar Roasted Chickpeas and Broiled Bulgogi Chicken . They look so yummy.

      Reply ↓
  5. Ann

    Cindy: I really enjoy reading all your posts and have tried several recipes. I am entering the next chapter of my life so more time for creative cooking and your blog inspires me to do so. Have recommended the blog to my sister in laws and we all agree your creativity in the set up of the pictures and food design is a big bravo.

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  7. Victoria L Kennedy

    Hi Cindy – I was making your marbled matzoh crunch last weekend and I was wondering if you’ve ever made a version using peanut butter for all those peanut butter/chocolate fans? Could you pipe peanut butter instead of white chocolate? I bet it would be delicious…..just a thought. Also, after I cut it into pieces I took the left over crumbs and sprinkled them on our popcorn that night…..yummy!

    Reply ↓
    1. saltandserenity Post author

      Hi Victoria. I would mix the peanut butter with an equal amount of white chocolate. The white chocolate would give peanut butter some body and it would set up more solid once you chill it. I think it would be fantastic. So glad you are using up the crumbs. Love the idea of adding them to popcorn. They would also be great on ice cream.

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      1. Victoria L Kennedy

        Thank you – I was wondering about how it would firm up – adding the white chocolate makes sense. I am going to try this! Thanks Cindy – you’re the best!

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  8. chef mimi

    What a great story! Regarding serenity, I thought you were going to write about how serene and peaceful your home is… bla bla bla… but thank you for your honesty! I can’t imagine a peaceful home with kids, no matter at what ages!!!

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  9. Simon

    Hi Cindy

    I am a business colleague of your husband Roger. He tells me you recently made a delectable Beef Short Rib recipe but he couldn’t find it in your recipe index. Would love to find out what it was. Btw, your blog is great and the pictures make everything look so tempting! I will be subscribing.

    Reply ↓

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