09/03/2025
Dear Followers,
It's been a while since I've been on here. I hope that you all had a wonderful summer. I did, and it's not over yet! But I am writing today to officially say so long for now. I am leaving Bits and Bites by Brenda, in its original incarnation. When I was last posting in early summer, I mentioned that I am planning some new things. I had anticipated for fall, but it's going to be later. So, I've decided this means stepping back for the time being, to continue my work behind the scenes.
I started my page for a few reasons. First, I had lost my job, so had some free time for a while. And I was facing the same rising food costs as everyone else. But I was ready for it. I had been raised in a one-income, rural household - where these traits had been instilled in me. And I continued to live them, even during 30 years in Toronto. I can sustain myself well with food, keeping budget, health and food waste in mind. And I wondered if I could help folks, while using these skills, at a time when many needed it. So, I decided to give it a go.
I know I did help, and that feels really good. I'm very proud of what I accomplished over the last two years. But what started out intended as a free service, really took up a lot of my time. I enjoyed putting that time and effort in, as this is all second nature to me. I learned a lot, challenged myself, and met many wonderful people along the way. I had some paid gigs, and some pro bono ones. All very well received, and great experience for me. The clients that I had, I am confident, I truly helped. I am good at what I do. And we had fun while I did it! I am so grateful for the support, in all its forms.
The reviews and testimonials speak for themselves.
But it's simply not sustainable for me, in its original form. So, I am considering a number of factors, with regards to how I will move forward with my passion for empowering people to be able to feed themselves. It's becoming clearer all the time.
I have experienced a gamut of challenges, these last few years in particular. A great deal of loss and change. Big, life altering events. The most significant being the loss of my best friend in my husband. And it has been bumpy. Naturally. But I am coming out the other side, thankfully. With a more solid understanding of who I am and what is important to me, at this stage in my life.
As I learn a lot on my journey of personal development, healing and growth - I am less content to spend my energy on things that don't align with me. And one of my biggest lessons has been how much a "scarcity mindset" has informed me and my life. And while I love the rush of a great sale, and abhor paying more for something than I know it's worth - I am intentionally working to break this deeply engrained pattern. And in doing so, realizing how much it was influencing what I focused on with Bits and Bites.
While I am an expert at shopping on a dime, it is only one small area of my expertise and experience around food.
This has been a passion of mine for a long time, but I am discovering new and equally strong ones at this point. So, I am taking this all into account as I determine my path forward.
Thank you for following me! I am SO grateful. It has been a wonderful journey. And this is not goodbye. This is so long for now. I am SO excited for my future, and I look forward to sharing, when I'm ready.
FOOD IS LOVE. I'll stand by that for good. No matter how you slice it, or dice it, or julienne it...
Much Love & Gratitude,
Brenda St. Germain
xo
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And it just wouldn't be right to post without sharing some food pics. So, I give you the scrumptious peach salsa I made recently...
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