I just spent a fat chunk of today’s thin time in the bread aisle.
I needed a basic loaf of bread. That’s all.
The doughnut case called to me with its array of warm-glazed oily cakes melting puddles on parchment. I pressed nose to glass and drooled. But the mood quickly passed when I spied fruit (?) flies hovering over the lemon-frosted bismarcks.
Yes, I told them.
Anyway, back to the bread.
Buying bread is hard.
I knew what I wanted, but the myriad of colors and shapes dazzled me.
I picked up loaf after loaf of molasses-browned, oatmeal-sprinkled, flour-dusted, seed-threaded and wheatberry-laden loaves. I checked the calories, fiber, protein, fat, and sugar contents and compared. I read ingredient lists (I automatically eliminated anything with more than 30) and wish I’d brought a magnifying glass. I’m afraid now of seeds, so I put those back. I analyzed prices and savored tantalizing titles.
Have you noticed how fat the shelves are with thin options? I never noticed that before. Skinny buns and thin English muffins and smart bagels and flat breads. Multigrain and blueberry and raisin and plain and onion and cinnamon and garlic and herb.
I wanted to scream.
And I wanted to try them all.
I finally chose a basic whole grain white because that’s all that Gracee will eat anyway.
And I sighed.
God rained bread on Israel.
Gather and eat. Morning fresh. No stress. Simple.
But they cried for the complicated. They wanted more choices.
Most of us are hungry for the simple.
I know I’m starving for it.
Yet we’re fat with complicated choices.
Even in the bread aisle.
I used to bake a simple sourdough and a fresh herb and a Swedish rye and a Norwegian raisin and a honey wheat.
I think it’s time to take up breadmaking again.
Linking up to On, In and Around Mondays at Seedlings in Stone with L.L. Barkat.
Photo courtesy of morgueFile.
I think you and April have a lot in common regarding bread….
Me…I’ll just take whole wheat…the generic brand…and get out…
This is an awesome post Sandra.
Wow, Michael, this post didn’t even have a chance to cool. 😀
So much wisdom found in the bread aisle. Living where I do, I am surrounded by just about anything and everything available. You’re right. Too many choices. One of the reasons I’m anti-crap is because too much stuff simply overwhelms me.
Me, too. And the more stuff I get rid of, the more stuff I find that needs to go.
Well you made me hungry as the bread aisle is my favorite part of a store–so I have a pot of soup cooking and I took out some low-fat rolls I made last week:) Yum.
Nothing like a hot soup and homemade bread in the fall. With some sliced apples.
I’m with you on the breadmaking. Definitely simplifies things!
I don’t remember why I stopped. Doesn’t take any more time than trying to pick out store bought. 🙂
Have I said before that I love your voice, Sandra? I do. And I love all the breads you mention here. 🙂 My DH prefers an ordinary white loaf but gives in without too much muttering to my fancier choices. A favourite is cheese bread. I haven’t made bread from scratch for quite a while but I was enjoying my breadmaker until it died in a power outtage. Your post has me yearning to replace it. I fancy a slice of twelve grain, warm and steamy, slathered in butter. 😮
I’ve never made a cheese bread, but it sounds yummy. That twelve grain toasted with some fresh apple butter might be nice, too.
I’ve never owned a breadmaker. I used to just pound it out.
And my voice? Thanks so much. You just refilled my well. 🙂
Only a talented writer like yourself could make the bread isle a pleasure ride.
I want simple too.
*throws smart phone away*
*goes and retrieves it*
*hugs it closely*
Do I REALLY want simple?
Ha! Kudos to you. You made me laugh out loud. (It’s funny because it’s true.)
I’m laughing with Kathy!
My husband suggested dropping our satellite last night. Well, not literally dropping it. I panicked. And miss Fox Sports and my Tigers???
I was just thinking that the other day. Need. More. Simple. Headed to the grocery store now. Will remember that God gives us just what we need (and it isn’t doughnuts!!) Awesome.
Didn’t He make Krispy Kremes?
I know. No. And I don’t need those.
The picture looks mouthwatering, even to this ice-cream sated mama. I love the reminder about the manna. When we’re living hand to mouth, everything is less complicated. But then I must remember that the complication itself is, by extension, a blessing of abundance.
Oh, that is such a good perspective–“the complication itself, is, by extension, a blessing of abundance.” Thanks for that.
Now about the ice cream. You probably don’t remember when choices were chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. Or Neopolitan. I do remember black cherry and butter pecan, too. But that’s about it.
LOL! I did the same thing the other day. I’m trying to lose weight and checked out fiber and calorie counts. It took me ten minutes to decide.
I like the idea of making bread and even own a bread maker, but time pressures make the reality elusive.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
But I hear it’s a lot faster with a breadmaker. But then there’s another catch. Homemade bread and losing weight just don’t go together. 😉
I love the smell of baking bread better than anything. You made my mouth water when you described your sourdough. If you take up breadmaking again, you have to share. Deal?
There is just something so homey about the making and the smelling and the eating.
Deal.
There’s nothing better than the smell of baking bread. If you did take it up again, your house would smell wonderful! I agree- we could all benefit from a healthy dose of simple.
Hi Katie,
I keep working towards it. You all are talking me into it. I’ve even dug out my old recipes.
you are so right. this seems to be the way of everything now.
although I wish there were a few more gluten free options… I suppose that should be an incentive to make my own.
There ya go. Some good oatmeal bread. Spelt.
We had a gluten-free bread option for communion on Sunday. I think that was the first time.
I usually am not a big bread fan. Except for the really good stuff, the European “artisan” breads. I could eat those every day. Chewy crust breaking open under my fingers, smelling heavenly, soft insides rich with flavor…I could go broke buying those breads! Thankfully, I try to eat mostly gluten free. Your description of the bread aisle has allowed me to enjoy the crisp crust and chewy bites vicariously, calorie free! thank you!
Oh, I love those, too. Dipped in olive oil and herbs.
I think those breads are “homemadable.”
🙂
Well, I do go for cranberry walnut sourdough-ish stuff. And focaccia with olives. Or rosemary and garlic.
I love all the breads that say, “Pick me.”