Food can be therapeutic.  It engages all of our senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.  We experience life by taking information through all of our senses. The more we engage, the more satisfaction we gain.

• The sight of a delicious red, juicy strawberry will make the mouth water

• The smell of fresh baked bread will tease the nose

• Tasting the result of your work in the kitchen is so rewarding
• Touch the moist crumb of that delicate muffin you had so much pleasure in creating

• Hear the crunch of those delicious nuts so much fun to bite and chew and enjoy the salty, sometimes sweet sensation.

The act of cooking and baking the right foods to maintain a strong healthy body and mind not only satisfies our senses but our desire to create.   Putting ingredients together which began as a mass of uncoordinated mess to result in a coordinated beautiful product is not only pleasing but it can relieve stress. You must redirect your thoughts to focus on the beautiful act of expression created through making home made foods.  In this case, bread.

Making bread requires a rhythmic motion of kneading: pushing, folding, and turning over and over again.  It will satisfy the creativity in most people as they take separate ingredients, combine them and form a manageable ball of dough.  That ball of dough is cared for over several hours to create a beautiful expression of grains and goodness that the entire family looks forward to eating.

To relieve stress, make bread.  If you aren't stressed but want to engage your senses in a healthy and tasty piece of home baked bread, use your bread maker and make the following recipe. 

Use Saranac Beer made locally in Utica.  There are so many varieties, one is sure to tempt your beer bread preference.   Note:  You may have to input your age in order to access the link.

Whole Grain Mustard, Caraway  Beer Bread

This recipe uses locally produced beer, Utica Club

•   1 cup beer (use lager for subtle taste)
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 2 TBS whole grain mustard
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 2 tsp caraway seed
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 TBS nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp Active dry yeast

Add the ingredients to the bread maker basket.  Set on basic setting, medium crust and hit start.  Enjoy warm!