I didn't grow up with a mom who baked. She did lots of other things: chauffered us to events and activities, taught us to cross stitch, read with us, helped us to learn to be responsible around the house. But, she didn't bake.
My mother-in-law did. Constantly. She baked a pound cake every week and rolls, cobblers, and pies in between. I think one of the hardest adjustments my husband has had in marrying me has been that I didn't bake.
Notice, I said
didn't. Now, I do. Or, better, am learning.
Several years ago I began doing research on being healthier. Many of the things I learned brought me to seek out eliminating certain things in my family's diet that have no positive benefit (
high fructose corn syrup/
corn sugar,
partially hydrogenated oils,
msg,
artificial splenda, etc.) While I will be the first to admit that these items have not been eliminated completely, we've made lots of changes.
One of the biggest is me making things from scratch. As I began to read ingredient labels, I was shocked at how many items had one or more of the above ingredients.
At first I started small, making waffles and pancakes using great recipes from
www.foodnetwork.com. When I saw how simple it was (instead of using something like Bisquick, all I had to do was add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together before adding my liquid ingredients) I was sold. So simple! And, without all the added, unnecessary ingredients.
I'm still working on the transition, lately baking cakes and cupcakes from scratch. How helpful the internet is in my quest for yummy and easy homemade alternatives!
Just this morning, I fixed cinnamon muffins from a recipe found
here. My kids loved it! And, it didn't take me more than 5 minutes to mix it up.
So, even if you're super limited on time (what mom isn't?), don't sell yourself or your family's health short. You, too, can bake!!!
P.S. My next new recipe I'll try is
here.
