The Breadmaker

As my children get older many things are getting easier...and many things are just getting different.  Like the whole pre-teen thing...ugh.  Blog topic for another time...

My oldest daughter is a tremendous help these days.  One of the things she has taken over is being our daily bread maker!  Such a blessing to have her contributing to our family in such an important way.

We began milling our grains several years ago after we learned about the benefits of whole milled grain products and the problems the milling industry created in the nutrition of these foods.   We  had always used "whole wheat" products from the store, but having fresh milled products brought our nutrition to another level.

It is an investment to get started milling, but once set up becomes as routine as taking out the trash (rather unappetizing analogy...sorry).  

Here are a few items to purchase to begin the milling and baking:

• A grain mill:  We love the Wondermill because it is lightening fast (talking 30 seconds or so for 5 cups of berries).  You can use Kitchen Aid attachments or even a hand crank grinder too.
• Wheat berries or some type of whole grain (especially if gluten intolerant).  We buy ours in bulk as it's cheaper and because we use milled grains for all our baking...yes, cakes too!
• Either a Kitchen Aid Mixer to knead dough, a bread machine or do it by hand...we do it all!
• A brand of yeast or if making sour dough a homemade starter. 
• A good bread recipe that your family will like (may take some experimenting)

Many may cross their eyes when the idea of making bread is mentioned.  Thinking "I can't do that!".  Then when "milling" is breathed... completely glaze over.  

Trust me, if a nine year old can do it....any adult can!  What most have to be convinced of are the health benefits of fresh milled grains to truly justify making that first step.

Pouring wheat berries into the grain mill

Kneading the dough 

After a few hours....the final product!

A Short Story of Milling:

Countless essential vitamins and oils are lost in today's commercially processed flours...all in the name of convenience. To ensure that today's store bought flour will last on shelves, all traces of the grains bran and germ must be removed. Why must they be removed? Because once the bran and germ are milled, they can only last up to 72 hours at room temperature before going rancid. Since the germ is packed with vitamins B and E, much is lost by it's removal. This removal process also results in a loss of up to 26 essential vitamins necessary for proper nutrition. Valuable roughage which our bodies need to absorb and remove unwanted toxins and poisons within our digestive system.

Commercial processors have tried to 'enrich' flours with vitamins B1, B2, Niacin, and Iron...but it still cannot make up for the many other valuable vitamins lost. By milling your own grains, you can utilize all the essential vitamins and oils by milling and using as needed.

Health problems such as Obesity, Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Heart Disease, Bowel Cancer and Tooth Decay are just some of the major diseases on the rise since the introduction of white flour in the 1900's. Many nutritionists agree that white flour and other refined foods are largely responsible.