the bread machine

Good Morning,

It is no secret that I am a bit lost in the kitchen. Perhaps this is why Morning Dad made a curious but MUCH appreciated purchase from my x-mas list this year. (The fact that I am for all good intent Buddhist and have a Christmas list is troubling, but I ask that we table this for now...)

While my brother's request for an iron (for clothes) raised an eyebrow, the bread machine had been purchased and wrapped...set apart from the tastefully stated gift bags, it's lack of subtlety clear.

"here." he said as he tentatively shoved the cumbersome load my way "use this."

AWESOME! Inside was exactly what I wanted, a BREAD MACHINE! wohoo! This morning I just wanted to reassure and share in a note the sincerity of my appreciation.

10 Reasons to Use a Bread Machine

1. There is nothing homier than the smell of freshly baking bread. (Unless your home smells like feet then I'm sorry for you and advise you to attend to larger issues). Instead of driving with the windows down in C-bus on 315 highway to get a whiff of the Wonder Bread factory i can now just open the door to the den/office and get whapped in face with the heavenly scent.

2. Everyone has an inner Martha (Stewart) worthy of expression. The bread machine provides the structure and support to maximize your feelings of success. The standard loaf is easy to make...like Jello you can create your little heart out by adding in any number or combination of fruits, twigs, seeds, nuts, and/or berries.

3. From my observations, I can say making bread from scratch is an exacting science. You've got to know just the right temp or when to add the yeast. I've witnessed as the best bread making efforts turned out dense baked products resembling gigantic leaded muffins. Somehow as if magic, the modern bread machine eliminates much of the guess work and produces a plump little loaf.

4. You can have a fresh loaf every day! Admittedly, I can not keep up with the output of my/our new machine...honey whole-wheat, brown sugar whole-wheat, cherry blueberry bread, flax-seed pumpkin wheat...i can't keep up with the output. This speaks to the bread machines alternate use. It is also an excellent winter food provider for your local backyard birds.

5. If you want to impress house guests at your Super Bowl party...with one easy recipe book you can even make your own pizza dough!

6. The next morning, no worries about too many dishes. The bread machine is simple to wash. Perhaps someone will want orange donuts made in your bread machine?

7. Making your own loaf of bread is something you can do at home in a robe before noon and still feel good about yourself.

8. Having your own bread machine is very Zen. Well, okay making your own bread (by hand) is very Zen. There's even a very well known Tassajara Bread Book some Bodhisattvas have used as the entry way into their practice.

Ed Brown the book's author says,

"When you knead bread, you're kneading all the channels and acupuncture points in your hands. Whether or not you call that a spiritual benefit or just a physiological one, doing something with your hands is just incredibly invigorating to your whole body.''

I like to imagine that I hold all the world in one finger tip. whala and push the button.

9. Excitement every 3 hours or if you need more try the 58min. express setting!!! The winter gets long. Cabin fever is tough. Even your cat will enjoy as her people spring to life with the simple dinging of a bell timer. "ooooo, the bread's done! the bread's done! Let's go see the bread!..."

10. And lastly, a well-functioning, moderately priced bread machine is a simple way to eat healthier for the new year.

Happy Monday (on a Tuesday)

Amanda
Breadisattva in Training