Its not just bread...

just look at it....

.. its a loaf of wonderful. It costs less than 80 cents to make.

If you are as active on Pinterest as I am, you have probably already seen this bread. But honestly, everyone needs to make this bread. It is back to basics.
It is the BEST bread recipe in the world. Ask the New York Times where it was first published a few years ago. The recipe originally came from Sullivan Street Bakery's Jim Lahey (genius).

It is also the EASIEST bread recipe you have ever used. I am obsessed.
I have not bought bread in almost 2 months, I make about 3-5 loaves/week. We use it for toast, lunch sandwiches, giving to people we visit etc. etc.
















You like crust you say? Let me introduce you to the crunchiest, crispiest, most delicious crust you've ever had.

Just start baking already.

You need an oven proof pot of some kind. About 5 quarts in size. You can use a dutch oven, a ceramic pot, crock pot insert, or, like me, an aluminum pot. And it HAS to have a lid.

In addition to the basics, I have tried adding tons of seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin seeds) and some semolina flour to replace white. Delish! I've also tried with 1/2 whole wheat flour, its very good, but not as fluffy.

This is my seed add-in version (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower) all organic of course!
Mix the seeds in with the flour mixture before adding water.

The secret to this recipe is patience. You NEED to let it sit at least 15 hours before baking.

Here's the recipe basics:

In large bowl add 3 cups all purpose flour ( i use unbleached, organic)
1 3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry yeast (i've tried several brands and varieties, and they all work)

Mix well.

Add 1 1/2 cup cold water.

This is the seed version of the dough again

Mix well.

It will be a sticky mess of a dough. It is ok! Its supposed to be this way!

Cover really well, with plastic wrap and a plate. Done.

15-24 hrs later, turn oven to 450 degrees. Once pre-heated  put your pot, with lid on, into oven.
Set timer for 30 minutes.

Pour dough out on well floured surface (still very very sticky). Shape into round with floured hands or forks. Place the plastic wrap back over dough.

this is the seeded version or rest prior to going in the oven

When the timer goes off- CAREFULLY remove pot from oven. Put dough into pot. Replace lid.
Bake 30 minutes. Done.

taking the lid off - nothing to worry about this is fool proof

This is the finished, seeded version. I know, but sadly I can not share over the computer.

Make sure you have some softened butter on hand, there's nothing better than this bread. Fresh. With butter spread all over. (real butter y'all!!)

Hubby and I did the math- with this flour, yeast and salt, the loaf of bread costs NO MORE than 80 cents.

Plant a tree lately?

With earth day coming up in April, and April being earth month, I am making plans for a tree planting event. More deets will follow as I solidify the details.

In the meanwhile, consider Dr. Wangari Maathai's words.

Dr. Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist, and political activist. She was also the first African woman to win a Noble Peace Price for her work. She founded the greenbelt movement, and my trees will be planted in her honor.
I'm also proud to say she partnered with Shaklee and their efforts to offset all shipping impact with the planting of new trees.

Happy Spring!

Today is the first day of spring- finally!
The kids and I took a long bike/walk around the neighborhood and spotted the first crocus flowers of the season!
I also went to visit with a new personal trainer here in the neighborhood! We are so lucky to have this place, it is called No Boundaries fitness, and it is in walking distance from my home AND I can bring my kids there!
They have a really cute little play area for the kiddos with a window, so they can watch me work out!

Spring is truly here- work out, beautiful flowers blooming in the yards, and the air is full of beautiful bird song.

Have you tried anything new lately?

I am eternally grateful that I have tried. Tried my own Shaklee business.  I took the leap into this special company 2 years ago this month. It is an incredibly important part of my life, and has improved the health of everyone in our family. 

It has generated extra income every month. It has opened my eyes to the life that we make for ourselves, and the opportunity to make it great.  No, not just great, phenomenal. 

I am so glad I took the leap. And decided to try. I have met some of the most incredible people on my journey, and my life is so much richer for it.

What are you going to try?

Laundry Dreams

Yes- I dream about laundry. I know, I might not be quite right, but I do have dreams about my laundry.
I don't necessarily love doing it, but what I don't like is the dryer. The dryer costs about 40 cents per load to run, and clothes dryer useage accounts for about 6% of all household energy use.
I can't stand the static overly dry clothes that come out of the dryer. I always feel like an environmental thief using it too.
So, back to my dream. I WANT to dry my laundry outside. I want a long line stretching across a grassy yard. I want to dry my delicates, my sheets and the kids clothing in the fresh air outside.

Yes, I will still have a dryer, because sometimes it rains. And sometimes you're in a hurry. In all fairness I think the clothes dryer is a great modern tool of convenience, and I appreciate its ease of use.

I wish to leave the smallest eco-footprint possible in this world. I use only the safest, kindest laundry and cleaning products (Shaklee). And although the house is tiny, and my yard is a small dustbowl I try to dry clothes hanging on occasion. This is not the right place for it. Living 1 block from the highway the clothes would get covered in dust and pollutants. I am dreaming about a home on the country, with a lawn. With fresh air. With sheets blowing in the wind.

Flavor Explosion!

It is another cold and snowy morning here in Denver. I was really in the mood for a warm breakfast, but am dedicated my my 180 program, and didn't want to pack on calories from oatmeal or toast.
I did heat up the kiddos' breakfast cereal and had the brilliant idea of heating up my own as well. The smoothie heated didn't sound great, so instead I turned to the bar. The peanut butter chocolate chip one to be exact.
With 20g of protein, 6g of fiber and 270 calories this scrumptious meal bar never fails to deliver. I warmed it up for 1 minute in the microwave, it came out soft and gooey- leaving the kitchen smelling like a bakery...

I added 3 spoon fulls of plain, fat free FAGE yogurt, and dove in. Oh My Gosh! Such an amazing flavor and texture combination. I will return for this many cold mornings!
Can't wait to try the blueberry almond bar..

i licked the plate.....

Spring is coming!

Today I woke up with the feeling that spring is right around the corner. Outside the snow is melting, and the sky is blue. It is feeling hopeful, as if something is about to happen, something green and fresh and amazing :)
What a nice way to start this Tuesday!

H2O

Such a simple thing. Yet it is the most important thing.
Most houses built before 1986 (my lovely 1940 cottage included) have lead pipes. We drink water every day (surprise, i know!). Lead in water can cause a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, attention disorders and more.
Hold on- even if you live in a newer home and have "lead free piping", the EPA states that the new piping contain as much as 8 percent lead!!
Basically, the bottom line here is that we need to clean our water. The lead is not coming from source water, but from the very house we live in. Therefore we have to clean it before we drink it. Now, most of us would love to have a reverse osmosis system, remove the lead and be good to go. But, most of us also don't have thousands to spend on installation of such systems.
Did you know that most pitcher filters DO NOT remove lead?! But, there is of course one that does- and that is the Get Clean Water pitcher from Shaklee. It outperforms the other pitcher filters my a mile in removing all contaminants. AND it filters out lead. AND it is eco friendly too.
The filters are made from coconut fibers, and sustainable. They also last twice as long as any of the other filters.
Get this pitcher for your family. Give it as a gift to anyone you care about. And drink some fresh clean water.