Organic Wheat and Sunflower Seed Bread and in defense of...BREAD

I love bread! BUT I don't eat bread unless I make it myself. Is that over the top? Maybe, but maybe not. Commercially prepared bread is processed (the earth didn't make that!), has no naturally occurring nutrients and is loaded with chemicals and refined sugars depending on what kind you buy. I do know that if I eat processed food, including bread, it sets me up for craving. I want to avoid that because I don't want to fight thinking about food 24 hours a day until I go through withdrawal and the processed food I ate that set me up is out of my system. I also know that if I eat processed bread I begin to have gut issues beginning with an almost immediate cramping sensation. I used to think perhaps it was gluten. Now I think it may not be gluten but it may be something that's in the processed bread. So, I make my own. And, since I only eat the bread I make myself, I don't eat a lot of bread. Therefore when I do take the time to make it I want it to be something I'm going to enjoy. This past weekend I made this...

ORGANIC WHEAT

AND SUNFLOWER SEED BREAD

Makes one loaf

1 cup of warm (100 - 110 degrees) filtered water

2 tsp yeast

1 tsp honey

3 cups of organic stone ground wheat flour

1/8 - 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds, toasted (use less or more seeds depending on how seedy you want your bread)

1/2 tsp salt

Dissolve the yeast and honey in the warm water and let it set until the yeast begins to bubble (about 5 minutes).

Add the flour, sunflower seeds and salt. Stir until it's all incorporated enough that you need to use your hands to work it in well. Turn it onto a floured board and knead, using additional flour if necessary, until it's an elastic ball and not sticky (around 8 minutes should do it).

Put the dough into a large oiled bowl, flip the dough over so it's oiled on top and cover with plastic or a clean, dry dish towel. Let rise for a couple of hours in a warm place until double. Punch it down and let it rest for about 20 minutes. Shape it into a loaf and place it into an oiled loaf pan and let rise again until it's at least double and loaf shaped. Bake in a 350 degree oven for around 35 minutes until it's nicely browned and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Let it cool on a rack and take it out of the pan. Or, better yet take it out of the pan while it's still hot and spread some REAL butter on it and maybe a little honey. Your own bread - doesn't get much better.

Spiced Peach Pancakes and is it really a gluten sensitivity?

When I used to eat processed food before I knew better (our food supply is supposed to be healthy and safe, right? FDA and USDA tell us that and they wouldn't lie...much) and I ate pancakes made from processed flour with refined sugar my stomach felt like I'd swallowed a soft ball. So, I blamed gluten. I certainly can't speak for anybody who does have a real gluten problem (my son does and it makes him SICK) but when I stopped eating pancakes (or anything) made from processed flour and refined sugar I stopped having the softball in the belly issue. Plus, I wasn't craving sugar and processed snacks 20 minutes after having eaten even though I was stuffed. I've also lost 24 pounds since March by eating real food and NO dieting and no craving. And, I CAN have pancakes! I just make them from organic stone ground flour and add (for this one) fresh organic fruit. And, they're delicious. I also discovered that pancakes don't need added oil or eggs, either. At least this one doesn't.

SPICED PEACH PANCAKE

Pancake (makes one)

1/4 cup stone ground organic flour 

1 tsp aluminum free non GMO baking powder

1 tsp of local honey

dash of salt 

1/4 cup filtered water

Mix and pour into a hot, lightly oiled (I used coconut oil) griddle or skillet. Cook until bubbly on top and flip. Continue cooking until brown on the bottom and done.

Spiced peach sauce

One large or two small organic peaches peeled and cut into chunks

1/2 tsp of organic apple pie spice 

1/2 tsp of natural arrowroot

1 tsp of honey if you prefer the peach a little sweeter (mine was fine without it)

Microwave the peaches for 45 seconds. Stir and microwave for another 45 seconds. Let cool until the sauce begins to thicken and pour it over the pancake. 

Delicious, organic, non GMO and made by the earth. IF THE EARTH DIDN'T MAKE IT, DON'T EAT IT!