Day 4 and 5: Whole-wheat Bread Recipe

These past days have been an adventure in new recipes and old recipes to which I've been adding more goodness.  Most of the family is enthusiastic and encouraging, even when they don't like each meal.  Blane, on the other hand, had a melt down at lunch.  We were having left-over spaghetti, but I put a little quinoa and cucumbers on his plate.  He started crying and yelled, "I don't like cucumbers, or avocados, or mushrooms!  And I don't like salad, either!"  I guess it is all too much for him at once.  Don't worry, he is not starving.  At least, he likes the smoothies.

The last two dinners have not been successes.  Although, I liked each one, I wouldn't want them every week, and the kids probably don't ever want them again.  Am I throwing in the towel?  No!!!  I just skimmed through Food Rules by Michael Pollan.  It is a simple book to read and full ways to apply the book In Defense of Food.  I am encouraged.  As Pollan says, "Eat food.  Not too much. Mostly plants."  I am going to focus on simple meals with mostly plants.

Day 4
Breakfast:  Ezekiel 4:9 cereal with almond milk.
Lunch:  I planned for the slow cooker bisque, but it wasn't ready.  So, we had left-over spaghetti, green salad, and quinoa salad.

 Supper:  In my opinion, the root vegetable bisque was delicious!  The recipe is from Fresh From the Vegan Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson.  Slade and Blane were not big fans.  I served it with cornbread from Del Soufe's Better Than Vegan cookbook.  It was so yummy, with no eggs or oil!

 Day Five:
Breakfast:  Elena made her own green smoothie.  Three bananas!

 We also had eggs.  I think Michael and the boys also had egg sandwiches.  (Although, that was earlier than I was awake).

 Lunch:  Black beans (from the freezer) Brown rice, Green Salad, Quinoa Salad, Green Tea, Whole-Wheat Bread

 Dinner:  Spinach and Sweet potato soup with bread and cheese.  I loved it, but everyone else wasn't too thrilled.  Mike said, "I wouldn't add this one to the list."

 The bread recipe is a keeper!  I hope you like it, too.

Whole-Wheat Bread for the Bread Machine (Check out the health benefits of these ingredients!!!)
1 1/2 cup water
2 tbsp. butter or coconut oil
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. black-strap molasses
1 tbsp. flax meal (optional)
1 tbsp. chia seeds (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. yeast

Put the ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed.  Put on the whole-grain setting.
You may need to change the recipe, depending on your machine.

I love this part of the Bible that talks about Jesus being the Bread of Life.  John 6:26-29 says, "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."  Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"  Jesus answered, "The work of God is this:  to believe in the one he has sent." Then in John 6:47, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.  I am the bread of life." (NIV)