Multi Grain Bread Recipe

Once a week for the past two and a half years I have been making my way to Great Harvest Bread to pick up our favorite multi grain High Five Fiber bread. It is so soft, healthy, and it tastes amazing! I decided I would try to make some healthy homemade bread last week and it turned out to be a success. I wanted a bread that provided our bodies with some fiber, some omega 3's (flax seeds), and some folic acid (wheat germ). I found all three of these things in this recipe and instantly fell in love.

I think spending time in the kitchen can be very therapeutic. Cooking and baking is very relaxing and can help alleviate stress. Just imagine you in your clean kitchen with your favorite apron and slippers on, preparing a meal that will bring goodness to your body after a long day, with some awesome jazz music playing in the background. Just try it, you will have a great time I promise. It will be as good as a bubble bath, or maybe even meditation.

When cooking for yourself and for your family, consider each ingredient you use. Knowing exactly what goes into your food makes you more aware of the things you allow in your body. I think it is easier to make healthier choices when you make and prepare your own sustenance, as opposed to trying to find something you think might be healthy on a take out menu. Try to remember when preparing your food at home that using ingredients that come directly from the earth, in their natural state is always best. A lot of nutrients are eliminated from food when it has been processed and altered.

Beware: this recipe makes 6 loaves, but can easily be cut in half. It also takes a couple hours so try it when you have some time to stay home. You won't want to stop eating after just one slice, pace yourself! Also, remember that when using flax seeds you need to grind them first, otherwise your body can't digest them and won't absorb their nutrients. I do this with a coffee bean grinder. Enjoy!

The Jam recipe isn't healthy so it will be posted on my personal blog.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 3 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 7 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
  
• 1/4 cup cracked wheat
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups bread flour

To Make:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup warm water. Let it swell before using. In a large bowl, mix remaining 3 1/2 cups warm water, honey, molasses, oil, eggs and lemon juice. Mix well. Add yeast mixture and stir.
2. Gradually add 5 cups whole wheat flour beating well after each addition. Add the flax, cracked wheat, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds, stir well.
3. Let stand for 20 minutes, until mixture is very light. Stir in salt and the rest of the flours until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Knead 10 to 15 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. Put into a greased bowl and cover, let rise in the oven with light on until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Punch down and shape into 6 round balls. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
6. Form into loaves and let rise covered in oven until doubled. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) 25-35 minutes.

Be Happy, Be Healthy,
Courtney