Thursday, February 21, 2008

Dreamin' ...about bread

I don't talk much about it here on "the blog" but I am a bit of a health nut. I am hyper-vigilant about what my family eats, and I constantly read labels and am on the lookout for foods that my kids like that are actually good for them. I am extremely thankful to live in a place that is very health concious. Because of that, I'm able to find great products at competitive prices and feed my family natural/organic food on a budget. Example...our local chain grocery store had organic apples last week for $1/lb. And they were delicious. The regular, non-organic fuji apples that I usually buy at W*lmart were $1.42/lb. It was a no-brainer to buy the organic. Again, I'm fortunate to live where I live and have access to a wide variety of natural foods at great prices.

One of the things I try to avoid at all costs is high fructose corn syrup. That's a challenge because HCFS is everywhere. Next time you buy fruit cups for your kids lunch boxes (a seemingly healthy choice, right?) take a look at the ingredients. Three out of every four varieties has HCFS as a top ingredient. That stuff is in everything...even whole wheat bread!

I found a brand of bread that I really love that is sweetened with honey, which is SO much better for you. It's Oroweat Country Whole Wheat, and it is delicious. It's also expensive. Last time I checked it was $3.69 for a loaf. It's not a big loaf either, which means that I need two, even three per week, and honestly, I just can't/won't spend $7+ each week on bread.

Today, I'm dreaming of owning this...



And this...



A mill and a Bosch would allow me to grind my own wheat and make my own bread in a fraction of the time it normally takes. I went to a bread demonstration at my local natural foods market last December and was totally lusting after these machines. We made bread, focaccia, cinnamon rolls, and pizza dough...all from scratch...all using freshly ground whole wheat flour...all in ONE hour, from START to FINISH. And we got to eat our creations too, which were unbelievably delicious!

If I'd had $600 for the two machines, I would have happily written the check and started baking bread the next day. But $600??? Um...that's just not in my budget. And I'd have to make a LOT of bread to re-coup my investment, don't ya think?

And so I dream.

I suppose I could do it the old-fashioned way without the cool, time-saving Bosch mixer/kneader. Anyone have any good recipes for whole wheat/whole grain bread that they want to pass my way?

13 comments:

Stephanie Kay said...

I hear ya on the cost of bread! Crazy!! I need 2-3 loaves a week also, and I have little guys! What I buy is about $2 a loaf (it's not quite as "organic" as what you get). I can just imagine what it's going to be like as my guys get older. All that to say, I've been thinking about a bread machine, too. But for the life of me, I don't know where I'd put it in my kitchen!!

Jennifer said...

If you took the splurge I guess you could set up at craft shows with your bread! :o) Maybe recoup the money that way? LOL

Do you put flax in your food as you cook? I've just started doing that because it's easier then getting the flax at the whole foods store.

Check out my blog with what's for dinner. I'm expanding my cooking horizons and would love to read about the bread some more. :o)

Susan said...

I am pretty spoiled with beautiful brown hearty breads available for $1.00 a loaf. No joke!

Ugh, I dread going back to the US for the nasty bread. When visiting CO in December, my then 10 month old took a piece of US wheat bread, wadded it up in his hand and threw it at the wall.

Bummer, I don't have any recipes, but I am sure some of your readers do.

Michele said...

I stumbled across your blog today while surfing the web. Crytal Paine at Money Saving Mom posted her recipe for bread this week. It looks delicious!

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/2008/02/homemade-bread-for-beginners.html

Hope that hleps and I've enjoyed reading your blog.

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I have some wheat bread recipes. But they are all the old-fashioned "make by hand" kind. Send me an e-mail if you're interested.

By the way, why do you want to grind your own wheat? Why not just use whole wheat flour from the store?

Wendy Anderson Schulz said...

Have you watched e bay maybe you'll get lucky and one will pop up. Never know. My friend makes all her bread each week and it is amazing - so different than store bought!

*carrie* said...

Mer,

That bread demo sounds cool. We don't have a breadmaker, and though I don't make bread each week, I don't find it to be that time consuming. I've been using the dough hook on my Kitchen Aid to do the kneading.

His Doorkeeper said...

i haven't used my bread maker in several years, but I think I might drag it out and try it out again!

I tagged you on my blog...come see!

Kelly said...

I wish I was like you - but you see what I'm making on my blog. ha!
Lost has me SO confused. She did say Aaron - we rewound the DVR? I'm REALLY confused now??????????
I love Backyard BBQ!!!!!!!!! :-)

Gretchen said...

I so want to be like you when I grow up. This week has been so slack, being midwinter break and with Big in China. I think we've had pizza like 3 times.

I need to get back into the swing of things, so I'll be watching your blog and Carrie's blog and trying to cobble together a decent menu plan.

Blessings to you, and I hope somehow that bread machine mixer/kneader becomes a reality for you.

xxxooogretchen

Casey said...

I have been dreaming about a bread maker for months now. I am saving up and hoping to get one soon. Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread.

Marc and Charity said...

Ok, question...have you ever made cakes or bread with wheat and gluten free flour? I am trying to elminate wheat/gluten for a while and it's really hard! I didn't realize wheat was in stinkin' everything! I'm waiting to be tested for intolerance, but I was going to go ahead and try it. I made a pumpkin cake with the flour and it crumbled to pieces and tasted like powder. Weird.

Joanne : The Simple Wife said...

My mom milled her own wheat and made her own bread in the Bosch when I was a kid. There's nothing quite like the smell of grinding wheat...or that high-pitched whining sound!

Can't wait to see you next week!

Joanne