I started seriously baking about 11 years ago when I was in High School. I would bake cookies all the time because I found it as a good way to relieve stress, and I always loved giving them to my friends. 

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Fast forward to college, I was living alone and rediscovered my love for baking. I started to branch out and try making new things, including muffins and donuts and rediscovered my own passion for making things.

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After college I moved up to LA and kept on trying new recipes and pushing myself to make new things.

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In 2019 I took my teacher training for Anusara yoga, one of the decisions that started me onto a different path. During my TT I was excited to share my cookies and other treats with the group, and they encouraged me just as much to push further.

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With their support, and a lot of outside guidance, I decided to start selling small batches of cookies and muffins and donuts, only to friends mostly.

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Then pandemic struck and I had nothing but time to bake.  That's when I started making sourdough (like seemingly everyone). This alongside yoga was something to keep me engaged and helped me to keep myself busy for the long year.  And I am happy to say that I got really good at it.

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So now here we are, it's 2021 and I have relaunched as Stretch & Rise.  A subscription based bread and pastry service in conjunction with the yoga studio that I teach at - Astro Gong Yoga - to offer my fine selection of handcrafted and all organic treats to Los Angeles.

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Excited to bake for you.

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Patrick