I don't talk a ton about it, but I am one of those hippy mamas.. and proudly.
I only use Vinegar to clean.
I like to buy organic.
I wish I could have chickens.
I also suddenly realized how completely insane I am sometimes.
Through some wild hair up my you -know -what I decided I was going to bake my own daily bread for my family.
I know, I know, this is where I get even nuttier, but organic bread is way expensive and I like to know what goes in my food without all of that high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and junk.
I had read about this book in my Mother Earth News.
I did discover that while baking bread is not as hard as I thought it was, (and I do actually enjoy it,) and that those little piggies around my house eat close to 2 loaves a week! 2 loaves! A week! Do you know how much baking that is! Do you know how many carbs that is? Do you think they gain a pound?
After I made it,
My hubby said, "Wow, this is really good bread."
My kids said, "This isn't like the stuff in the bag. We like that better."
Bread. in. a. plastic. bag.
Ingrates.
So, I am using the book and baking twice a week, and it has some great recipes, but it is no 5 minutes a day. Believe me. But, you can keep the dough in the fridge which cuts down the prep time a lot. I take it out, let it rise and then toss it in after dinner while the oven is still on and we are eating. Or if I know I am going to be at home doing the drudgery of housework or laundry, I'll pop it in.
It is pretty good bread.
I will say though, on a cheaper note,the whole wheat recipe on the back of the Redstart yeast packet is pretty good too.
Is it cheaper? I am not sure. I buy the stuff in bulk. It's also not as easy as buying a loaf from the store either. They do eat it (well, there's nothing else, is there little dears.), but still complain just a bit.
I have to admit though, I am thinking about putting the flippin' stuff in a plastic bread bag for them.
Just because.
Jen
I'm not one of those hippie moms. I feed my kids bread out of a bag and sometimes even white bread if I feel like it. haha But I applaud you for doing what you do. It DOES take extra time and money. I have been meaning to bake some bread since, oh about November, and still haven't done it.
ReplyDeleteI used to make bread when my son was still at home...now it would just go bad as the one I used made three loaves at a time. It was really good though. I'd be glad to send you the recipe if you wanted....and it really is like 5 minutes at a time.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
What about a bread machine? I don't have one, but always wondered how well they work. My husband eats way too much bread!
ReplyDeleteToo funny.
ReplyDeleteWhen they get older and have to eat bread out of a plastic bag they will long for that green bread mom used to make..)
I use tons of vinegar too.
Share some of those recipes with us.
Yum, there is nothing like fresh bread! I would love to make my own bread but carbs are not my friend...they seem to like my hips way to much, darn it!! :o)
ReplyDeleteJen:
ReplyDeleteLoved how your related this story today. Made me giggle, I tell you! I remember those days, when nothing healthy was ever good...whine and complain...Ahhhh, those were the days!
xoxo
Donna
I have a bread making machine, that is so easy, but the bread comes out heavier and a little chewier than store-bought......and it's best eaten on the day it's baked....so when I use it, we have to eat the whole loaf straight away, hehe
ReplyDeleteYummy, I love bread. Thanks for the link I am off to check it out. I love this kinda stuff..~lulu
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog and I love love love it! Your bread looks yummy! I must say, I went through a phase of making bread but, I found my husband sneaking out to buy gooey white bread for PB&J's....hmmph that was the end of that! Take care!
ReplyDeleteBeth
I've been wanting that book for some time! I've been making a bread from Mother Earth News...the dutch oven bread. In fact, I have a loaf ready to go in the oven now! I make it about four times a week, I can't get over how good it is. Love it that you are baking bread too!
ReplyDeletelovely looking healthy bread!!
ReplyDeleteMy bread machine sits in a corner never used .. swearing at me.. while my plastic covered bread sits in the freezer.. oh well ... lol!
i am proud of you jen. first for being organic and second for baking your own bread. maybe in my next life i will get the baking gene. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear your recipe. There are a ton of people raving about that book in the blogosphere at the mo. I do use my breadmaker a fair bit, but even that takes time to prep.
ReplyDeleteAs to your cleaning, do you have a particular recipe you use with the vinegar?
if you are a hippie, then i guess i am too.....
ReplyDeleteand if you want, i can give you my recipe......
i don't mind.
I checked this book out at the library and it looked good enough to buy.
ReplyDeleteI am not a hippie mama and I don't buy organic. I cook like Paula Deen. Don't go hating on me:) We think everything is better with butter & heavy whipping cream. I'm from the south, what can I say? LOL!
Hey Jen!
ReplyDeleteI am one of those hippie people too. :) I always clean with vinegar, and my family always thinks it stinks. They should make better smelling vinegar. :) I have that same exact bread cookbook and haven't even tried it yet. But you have inspired me.
Smiles,
Teresa
xx
My hubby and I use that recipe but we found it in a magazine somewhere. WE love it! The only problem for us is finding the active yeast. If we had a great farmer's market nearby or something we'd probably have a much easier time, but instead we have to buy the little packets which are expensive. We only just last week bought our first loaf of bread in over a year!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to check out this book for awhile now. I put it on hold at the library a couple of months ago and don't you know that it came in for me while we were on a 2 week work trip and I missed it! Guess I will put my name back in for it. I have been trying to bake more of our own bread lately!
ReplyDelete