Quick and Easy Whole Grain Bread
(Everything is made in one container)


This recipe is so easy my 5th grader can make bread starting from wheat berries and ending in freshly ground, nutritious, hot, home baked, whole wheat bread. Did I mention the soothing aroma?

There is a lot to be said about the therapeutic benefits of getting your hands into warm, yeasty dough and kneading until all your troubles melt away. However, when you have little ones demanding your every moment, it may seem more like Brair Rabbit stuck to Tar baby than therapy.

On those busy days I get all the homemade healthy goodness in short order. Here is what I do:

* Sorry – it requires a Vitamix

Vitamix Whole Wheat Bread

1 ¾ Cups whole wheat berries
(or you can use 2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ Cup water
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1 Tablespoon agave (or honey)
1 Tablespoon oil (I sometimes used garlic infused olive oil or coconut oil)
1 Teaspoon lemon juice

Measure 1 ¼ cup water (a glass measuring cup is the best) add 1 Tablespoon yeast and 1 Tablespoon agave (or honey) to the water. Stir and set aside 3-5 minutes. In the mean time you can grind the wheat.

Put the wheat berries and salt into the dry blade container and process on high for 1 ½ minutes (this makes the flour warm so you don’t have to heat the water in order for the yeast to be activated)

After the wheat has been ground there will be a hole in the center of the flour. Pour the water, yeast and agave into the hole.

Add 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

Secure the lid and turn machine on high and run for 1 second bursts until all the ingredients are wet.

While the dough rests oil your (8 ½ X 4 ½ inch) pan

To knead the dough: on the high setting quickly turn on and off 5-6 times for 1 second bursts then scrape down the sides of the container with a spatula. Repeat until the dough forms a ball. (Sometimes my dough pretty wet like stiff cake batter – that’s OK)

Pour the dough into the loaf pan using a wet spatula to shape the loaf.

Let rise just to the top of the pan (15-20 minutes)

Bake at 350˚ for 35-40 minutes. Remove to cooling rake. Makes 1 loaf.

Yumm – This cool afternoon as I type this recipe my keyboard is sticky with agave fingers from eating piping hot homemade whole wheat bread with organic butter melting on top with the dripping of agave nectar – mmmm, and so easy.

We use our Vitamix regularly. If you wish to purchase a Vitamix - the best price you will get is at a demo - like when they come to Cosco, Sam's Club or the Fair once a year or so. The dry blade/container is sold separately - (I highly recommend it. You need it to make bread and nut butters).

But if you are ready to purchase your Vitamix soon I can get you FREE SHIPPING! When you call in or order on line if you will tell the operator my code - you will save money.

To order Call: 1-800-848-2649 and give them CODE #: 06-003804

What Exactly is Organic?

Organic food is food grown or produced without the use of chemical fertilizers or artificial pesticides. The USDA has developed a seal of approval that certifies food with it's mark is "organic" according to this standard. It can be a good seal to look for because not everything that claims to be organic actually is.

On the flip side, this is a pricey endorsement, especially for small companies to earn. Some products are naturally organic so when comparing labels you may think you are choosing a better organic product but in reality they are both organic. For instance, coconut oil (except for industrial grade) is all organic. Coconut trees are not sprayed with pesticides nor are artificial fertilizers used. Therefore, advertising that coconut oil is organic may be smart, but it does not mean that it is necessarily a better product than the next. Other products that are usually organic are blueberries and agave nectar.

Why I Always Buy Organic Milk and Dairy Products

My main concern in buying organic is first in the dairy department. As any pregnant mother can tell you, there are strong warnings issued about taking any drug or consuming alcohol while nursing or pregnant. Drugs permeate into breast milk quite freely. This is also what happens with cows and the milk we drink from them. All drugs, antibiotics or growth hormones that the cow consumes can be found in the milk. I try to buy organic milk, cheese, cream, sour cream, and butter. Even though it is quite a bit more expensive I believe it is important that our children get hormone and drug free milk.