Finding Joy (and Cookies!) at a Local Favorite: The Swiss Pastry Shoppe

I originally started writing this post about Seasonal Mood Disorder and how much I struggle with the early darkness and the cold. But honestly? What’s the point! If that doesn’t tell you exactly how I feel about the winter months, I don’t know what would.

Instead, I’m jumping right into the things that actually boost my spirits. Between the cold and the lingering “COVID-cautious” lifestyle, I find myself constantly looking for little pockets of joy. Sometimes that means looking forward to the next holiday, finding ways to help others, or simply taking a much-needed mental health day to rest.

Recently, all of those things collided in the most delicious way possible.

Doing Hard Things: Keto and Food Photography

I started the New Year by jumping back into my Keto diet. I won’t lie—getting back into the swing of it was difficult. Sometimes we have to do hard things! However, I still have two little boys at home and a deep-seated love for food photography.

The catch? I don’t actually love cooking or baking things myself.

To satisfy my creative craving (without ruining my diet), I decided to visit what many locals consider the best bakery in Scotch Plains, NJ: The Swiss Pastry Shoppe.

A Step Back in Time at The Swiss Pastry Shoppe

This Scotch Plains bakery has been family-owned and operated for thirty years! The moment you walk inside, you understand exactly why they’ve stood the test of time. The aromas of fresh-baked goods dance upon your olfactory senses like a beautiful ballet.

From fresh-baked bagels to decadent blueberry tart pies, they have everything. Walking into this shop feels like a trip back in time—it actually reminds me of the bakery Mr. Rogers used to visit on his show. It’s not about fancy frills; it’s about the essentials needed to make treats that are truly dee-lish-us.

Support Small Businesses This Valentine’s Day

As we approach February, I want to encourage everyone to support the small businesses that make our community special. Between big-box supermarkets and the challenges of the last few years, our local shops need us more than ever.

If you are looking for the perfect way to celebrate, skip the mega-store and try these local alternatives:

• The Florist: Get your roses from a local shop.
• The Bakery: Pick up Valentine’s chocolates or cookies from a local Scotch Plains bakery.
• The Toy Store: Find a unique stuffed animal at a small boutique.

Plan ahead, place your order, and help keep our community vibrant!

A Valentine’s Food Photography Loop

Since I was there, I couldn’t resist picking up some “pretty little cookies” for my kids. They were the perfect subjects for my food photography loop this month, especially with the Valentine’s Day theme I was going for.

It took everything in me not to cheat on my diet and buy one of everything in the shop, but seeing these photos almost feels as good as a taste!