How to bring Waldorf into your home Archives ~ Page 15 of 22 ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts

Baking spelt bread

One of the things we love most about Waldorf playgroup is the beautiful bread. The nourishing scent of the dough as we work it with our hands. The delicious smell of the freshly baked bread spread with butter. And of course how wonderful it tastes!

The recipe we use is from our lovely Waldorf school:

2 cups wholemeal Spelt flour

a pinch of salt

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp dried yeast

150 ml warm water

Sometimes we make the dough together, or I might prepare it while they play. We start by combining the first five ingredients before slowly and gradually pouring in the warm water. After mixing well, I knead the dough for around five minutes.

We leave the dough covered in a bowl to rise for an hour. Then the magic happens *wink*

The children and I knead and shape the dough into rolls. If we are patient enough we will let the dough rise again for a little while, otherwise it is straight into the oven to bake for around 10 minutes at 200°C (390°F).

We then spread lovely butter on the rolls. And enjoy our fresh bread with fruit the children have chopped. Delicious!

Happy baking, Kelly

April 13, 2015 by Kelly

Baby steps to Waldorf

When I discovered Waldorf I wanted to jump in feet first! The approach was so enticing and felt so right. And some of the things we already did as a family fit, but many I suddenly desired to change.

Instead of taking one big leap we have taken a baby steps or work in progress approach, with some bigger jumps in between. Shifting our mindsets, habits and ways as we go. After all, parenting is a journey! This approach allows us to make adjustments as we learn more, but also as we appreciate and understand why and how things work for our family. It is a gentle and gradual approach, sensitive to the needs of the whole family.

Taking this continual journey of baby steps is also thankfully budget conscious. Because it would be very easy to spend a great deal on making a Waldorf home! The beautiful natural toys, the Waldorf dolls, play kitchens and other trappings of Waldorf… but really this isn’t necessary, although if you do want to bring these elements into your home it can be a gradual process and include many homemade elements.

Waldorf, to my mind, is about our intentions. It is about bringing a purposefulness to our home, and providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children. This means bringing a rhythm to our days and weeks. As well as trying to conduct myself with warmth, love, calmness and purpose. Taking time in whatever it is we are doing and trying to make myself worthy of imitation. These are fairly lofty ideals and aims, and I am human! So I also try to spend time on inner work.

Our journey into Waldorf is a continuing one, and along the way I remind myself that Waldorf kindergartens model themselves on the home and the warmth they provide.

Here are some of the initial baby steps to Waldorf we made…

establish a rhythm
reduce screen time
chose to do less
get crafty and creative
reduce the plastic toys
incorporate the seasons
use gentle parenting
engage in inner work

On our journey I think often about our aim to cherish childhood, focus on beauty, foster a connection with nature and to help our children grow into the people they will be. This journey into Waldorf has also helped me to gain a greater connection, purposefulness and mindfulness in parenting.