Easy Homemade Bread Recipe
I totally eat bread. Not everyday, but I do like bread. Never mind, I don’t like it. I love it.
When I started reading labels on food products, especially bread, I got really discouraged because it is hard to find a store bought bread that is made with only a few, real food ingredients. Plus, my sweet Juliana has a tree nut allergy so it’s crucial that I buy bread that not only doesn’t contain tree nuts, but also is not made in a facility that contains tree nuts. This is not an easy task.
Bread has gotten a bad rap which is rightfully so. Here’s why:
1. Most people have a hard time digesting grains especially grains that have not been properly taken care of.
2. Most grains that are used to make typical store bought bread are not organic and genetically modified. Not cool.
3. Grains contain phytic acid. According to Sally Fallon, author of “Nourishing Traditions,” “Eating whole grains is important because they provide vitamin E, B vitamins, many important minerals and fiber. But the phytic acid in the grain combines with the iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in the intestinal tract, blocking their absorption. They also contain enzyme inhibitors that can interfere with digestion.”
4. Eating too many processed grains may lead to weight gain, brain fog, skin issues, headaches, etc.
Not all breads are created equal. There are some good ones out there!
I love this article from Food Babe where she rated the different store bought breads. My favorites are Food for Life Ezekiel Bread and Manna Organics.
If you don’t want to buy store bought, make your own bread. It is so easy!
This is my favorite recipe using a bread machine. I have this Breville bread maker and I LOVE it.
- 3 cups flour (you can experiment with this. I recently did 2 cups whole wheat and 1 cup white)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, coconut oil or butter
- 3 tablespoons honey, agave or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or yogurt
- 1 1/3 cup water
- 2 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Combine flours, oil or butter, sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juicer yogurt and water in a bowl.
- Transfer to bread machine and sit overnight up to 24 hours.
- Add yeast and salt and press start.
I still don’t eat bread on a daily basis. I find that I feel better when I don’t. However, when I need a treat and want bread, I make my own. It is healthier and cheaper too!
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Soak it all up!
Betsy – have you experimented with making Beer Bread?
No I haven’t! Do you have a good recipe? Maybe I can “health-ify” it?