I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who have supported me throughout this incredible journey. First and foremost, a huge shout out to my parents! Their unwavering support and willingness to dive into new adventures alongside me has been truly invaluable. My mother’s adventurous spirit mirrors my own. It brings me immense joy to see her embracing home milling with such enthusiasm. Meanwhile, my dad’s early lessons in spreadsheets and computers has been instrumental in this process.
To my patients, thank you for patiently listening to my enthusiastic “shouting from the rooftops” about the health benefits of milling your own whole grains. I’m sure there were days when you were silently pleading for me to change the subject. Your encouragement and interest spurred me on, pushing me to write this book even faster.
A special shoutout goes to my Cookbook Crew, who bravely tackled the roughest drafts of my book, tested each recipe, and provided invaluable feedback to ensure clarity and delicious results for all of you. Their dedication and feedback were crucial in shaping this cookbook.
Ray and my children (Andrew, Victoria, and Eli), along with our kind neighbors, deserve a huge thank you for their unwavering patience and willingness to taste test countless loaves of bread as my skills evolved. Ray, in particular, has been a pillar of support. He tolerates hours of baking, days spent hunched over my laptop, and endless monologues about bread.
I’m also grateful to my friends in various milling groups online and those I’ve worked with one-on-one. Your collaboration has been enriching; teaching me as much as I’ve taught you. Being a lifelong learner is vital, and I hope this book sparks that same passion for discovery in you.
A heartfelt thank you to Monique Bell from Lovely Bell Bakes for joining me on this journey. Your support and friendship have made this endeavor even more rewarding. Together, we can achieve so much more than we could alone, and I eagerly anticipate the day we can meet in person and share a warm embrace.
Last but not least, I want to express my gratitude to God for guiding me on this path. The journey to home milling flour wasn’t accidental; it was the culmination of many experiences over more than a decade. As a Christian, I believe in divine guidance, sometimes gentle whispers and other times nudges that propel us forward.
My journey with home milling began during chiropractic school. My daughter faced health challenges, leading us to adopt a gluten-free diet. Back then, gluten-free options were expensive, so I ground whatever grains were on sale into flour using my high-speed blender. Eventually, we discovered that the issue wasn’t gluten itself, but rather the quality of the flour. We switched to organic, chemical-free sources and later found Einkorn flour. This proved to be gentle on my youngest son’s eczema-prone skin.
When Einkorn flour became scarce, I recalled my resourceful days in school and milled wheat berries into flour at home. That decision marked a turning point. My energy surged, I forgot to take my vitamins because I didn’t need them. Consequently, my coffee intake decreased as my natural energy levels soared. Hydration and late-night workouts became routine, transforming our lives in unexpected ways.
This newfound vitality fueled my passion for freshly milled flour, and I began advocating its benefits far and wide.
As a lifelong learner unafraid to dive headfirst into new experiences, I quickly mastered handling whole grain flour. I also discovered that baking fresh bread from the mill can be simple and enjoyable. Whether you prefer the simplicity of single-grain bread or love experimenting with complex blends, the choice is yours.
You don’t need a bread machine or fancy equipment; just a way to grind flour from whole grains and a desire to savor wholesome, delicious bread with your loved ones.
I hope this journey sparks your own love affair with whole grains and healthy baking, creating meals that nourish both body and soul. May it be as fun and easy for you to share with future generations as it has been for me.
Now, let’s delve into why milling your own flour is not just a culinary choice, but a lifestyle that celebrates health, flavor, and joy.
You may also want to learn how to mill flour, and how to choose a grain mill.
