Bread is definitely the thing I most enjoy making - and, from childhood, it has been something I have enjoyed eating - more than chocolate or cakes.
A couple of months ago I challenged myself to give it up. I wasn't sure that I would have the willpower, especially as I still had to continue baking it for the family.
I survived the challenge and after the first couple of days it really was easy.
By the way, I haven't given up eating bread, I had a slice yesterday. It was really nice, but I ended up crumbling most of it for the birds.
People tell me that they found it very easy to give up sugar or sweetener in their tea/coffee. In that regard I am a complete failure. I take one sugar cube in a mug of coffee, a sweetener in my tea.
I have tried the cold turkey trick and failed. I hate the taste of tea and coffee without a little sweetness.
I am not going to attempt to go cold turkey on books and reading - though I am tempted to try it on housework...
I gave up bread for a while and like you was surprised that it was easy after a couple of days. I had eaten bread with eighteen meals (toast, sandwiches, a roll with soup) in the week before I gave it up. Like you I now have the occasional piece but my butter consumption is still a lot lower.
ReplyDeleteWe should form Bread-Lovers Anonymous, lest our resolve should ever weaken! Fresh bread slathered in good butter is even more difficult to resist. We must stay strong!
DeleteI have given up bread....and wine again. None of either for a week. So far so good. Bread is easier than wine, don't miss it at all.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if I will be the same with a fresh baked loaf!
Good luck
Well done, Linda!
DeleteI was 'lucky' in a way, my body gave up alcohol for me. it just took me a few years of pain to realise it. Finally I understood that one glass of wine = 3 days of severe migraine and nausea. Not worth it. You should join Frugally Challenged and me in Bread-Lovers Anonymous!
Good Luck!
Your bread looks absolutely wonderful so must be hard to give up. My husband makes all our bread and I do try to limit myself to two slices a day. I did give up sugar in drinks quite easily many years ago but I do love a biscuit with morning coffee:)
ReplyDeleteTwo slices of homemade bread a day, and a biscuit (instead of sugar) with your coffee, sounds perfectly reasonable! Perhaps I can claim that my single cube of sugar in my morning coffee is in place of a biscuit...
DeleteA husband who bakes bread, wonderful - mine doesn't know the way to the flour bin!
No could not give up bread, I like the stuff I make but you put me to shame. Sugar on the other hand easy to give up as I don't have it in either tea or coffee
ReplyDeleteAnother man who bakes bread! This is wonderful. Homemade is so much nicer - and the smell is unbeatable.
DeleteAh but I do use a bread maker but it is still better that the shop bought stuff like Wonderloaf
DeleteYour bread looks delicious. I've not made any in a while but I could be tempted to start again having seen all your lovely loaves. I definitely couldn't give up books and reading but I'm with you on the housework.
ReplyDeleteMitzi
Hello Mitzi, No chance of me giving up books and reading, there are limits! It is always good to meet a fellow book-lover!
DeleteSome years ago, I had to go cold turkey on alllllllll products made with wheat, flour. Gluten. Had to! Because when I stopped, all my horrible gut issues went away!
ReplyDeleteSo, let's just say, it can be done. ,-)
And I also still miss gorgeous bread.
As to cold turkey on sugar, etc., couldn't. Use natural maple syrup in my one cup of decaf a day. Don't drink tea. Obviously don't have desserts, which are all made with gluten. Plus, can't have chocolate. Health issues.
My answers... :-)
Health is a great motivator, I am glad that it had the desired effect, especially as you have had to give up so much. Do you eat fruit instead of a pudding?
DeleteI haven't tried making GF bread but I believe that it is fraught with difficulties. Starting the day with one of your lovely juices must mean that you are brimful of vitamins and minerals.
I have cut way back on bread. It's interesting to read that others have done that or given it up. Most days I have none, but occasionally have a slice of raisin toast or a sandwich/panini that is on the menu here. As to sugar - no sodas except maybe once a month and then not much. I need a scant teaspoon of sugar in my tea.
ReplyDeleteLike you, Marcia, I don't drink sodas/fizzy drinks. Tea, coffee and water are my favourite tipples! One of these days I must try to get rid of the spoonful of sugar!
DeleteWhat lovely bread to give up too - if it was soggy white plastic bread from the Supermarket it would be easy, but crusty tasty wonderful home made bread - oh, you have stronger determination than I do! I have had to give up the demon booze as the sulphites in it make my asthma really bad, and it's just not worth the suffering, but I really DO miss a glass or two of a good gutsy red. One glass I can just about cope with, now and again.
ReplyDeleteI have so enjoyed reading about how you went to live in Wales and your search for THE house, the trials and tribulations, etc your joy in living the dream. When you decide to publish I'll be in the queue waiting for you to sign my copy. I still get a huge amount of enjoyment from baking bread, that hasn't diminished with abstinence, thank goodness!
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