When you have arthritis, cooking and eating healthy food is a must. I am in pain much of the day, and there are days that I just want to get the quickest thing I can think of on the table. Of course, it is an added bonus if I don’t have a sink full of dishes to wash.
I make a lot of sandwich fillings such as egg salad, ham salad, tuna salad, and chicken salad. I use a lot of bread and try to get three or four loaves at a time. Have you been down the bread aisle lately? It costs an arm and a leg to get a loaf of bread, and there are not many good choices that my picky husband will eat.
Advantages of Making Your Own Bread
I worked in food service for many years, and I have made a lot of homemade bread. Nothing beats the taste of a thick slice of homemade bread and a pat of butter or jam. You control the ingredients, and keep it simple. Flour, water, yeast, and salt are all you need to get started.
I worked in the kitchen of a retirement home and was responsible for making the bread. When the whole wheat bread came out of the oven, I placed it on wire racks to cool. That night, when we served dinner, many of the residents asked for a slice of the fresh bread.
If you have the time and money, making your own bread makes a lot of sense. If you do it the old-fashioned way, you have to mix, knead, let it rise, and bake.
Purchase a Bread Machine
Have you ever thought of purchasing a bread machine? Skip the mixing and kneading that hurts your arthritic hands, and you won’t have to wait as long for it to rise.
The bread you make in a bread machine can include healthy herbs and spices, as well as gluten-free or whole-wheat flour. You may also prefer to bake bread with no sugar.
Bake Cinnamon Rolls for Breakfast
Cinnamon rolls are my top choice for breakfast. They can be a pain to make, with getting the yeast to the right temperature, letting it rise, rolling out the dough, spreading on the butter and cinnamon sugar, and finally putting them in the oven. By the time I get to the last step, my arthritic hands are throbbing. Use your bread machine. The rolls will be just as tasty as if you mixed them by hand.
Treat the Family to Pumpkin Bread and Garlic Sticks
Form the dough into shapes such as pumpkin bread, twirly rolls, or soft garlic sticks. It doesn’t hurt to make extra. In our house, bread disappears very quickly.
Enjoy Waffles for a Weekend Brunch
Who doesn’t love a delicious waffle for breakfast? I can raise my hand. Let the bread machine do all the work. You choose the ingredients and get to enjoy the finished product.
If you’re by yourself or just the two of you, purchase a smaller, less expensive model.
Summary
Using a bread machine is fun because you get to try new recipes and ideas. Best of all, you can help avoid arthritis pain. Do your research on the best bread machine for your needs, and start baking.
