I don't believe I mentioned it here; in fact, no one in my family even knew until earlier this month, but last January I set a goal for myself for 2014. Well, I had several goals, but this one was something that I alone had control over (compared to, say, my goal of getting my horses home this year; which required $$, labor and cooperation on DH's part).
And, interestingly (or maybe not interestingly) enough, it is the ONE goal I actually met in 2014. Okay, not the only goal I achieved, but the only one on the list I began this year with. A few others cropped up part-way through, so I'm not counting them on the same level as this one.
What was this goal?
Don't laugh. Because it probably sounds pretty dorky.
To not buy bread this year.
Meaning, I would bake all my bread this year, instead of running to the store and buying bread if I didn't feel like making it. Because in late 2013 I found myself often taking the easy way out and spending $3 a loaf for (somewhat) comparable bread to what I make instead of taking the time to measure, mix, knead, roll, and bake my family's weekly bread. $3 a loaf times two loaves a week for something that a) cost more than twice the price of the ingredients I would use, and b) was not nearly as good in taste, texture, or nutrition as the bread I made.
It bugged me that I was spending our grocery money this way, and that I was finding it easier and easier to rationalize store bought bread even though every time I ate a piece I was totally disappointed in it (not to mention disappointed in myself). So, I challenged myself to not buy a single loaf of bread in 2014.
And I did it!! Or, rather, I didn't do it. Buy any bread, that is. Even when going on a road trip, a weekend canoe/camping trip, or on vacation. I planned ahead, made my bread(or planned a menu that didn't include bread), and did not spend a single cent on store bought bread this year.
Such a seemingly little thing, but you know what, it feels like a major accomplishment to me. It took dedication, and quite a bit of elbow grease, to make our bread week in and week out all year. Especially when DS1 and family moved in and our bread consumption went from 1.5-2 loaves a week to 4 loaves each week.
That's somewhere in the realm of 110 to 130 loaves of bread, all kneaded by hand. No laughing matter. And a savings of $165 to $195 if I figure it cost me $1.50 in ingredients for each loaf, which I know it didn't.
Not so dorky of a goal after all.
My mother was not a cook. I like to cook and bake but for some reason anything with yeast was beyond my capabilities. That changed this year when I learned to bake bread from a delightful 80+ year old woman at church. She related that she had been using this recipe for 60 years having gotten it from her MIL's cook named Annie. I was finally able to make bread and have now done so 3 times. I am amazed at how good home made bread it. My family absolutely loves it even though the loaves are not picture perfect yet, but I am working on it. Congratulations on achieving your goal!
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