Another book review...

The Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull

   Brandon Mull is a newer author, but one of my new favorites (he wrote the Fablehaven series as well). "A World Without Heroes" is the first book in a three book series.  When I heard about it I had to buy it and set aside the other book I was reading (A Woman in Berlin) to read it immediately.  Mull did not disappoint me with this story, although I have to admit I didn't like it as much as Fablehaven.  Although it is a very different type of story then Fablehaven. It is still a fantasy and one of the best things about this book was the originality of the whimsical characters and storyline.  I have to admit, I'm not a guru of fantasy books, but it was new and interesting to me. 

The basis is that the two main characters, Jason and Rachel, accidentally go through separate portals and end up in an alternate universe, making them Beyonders to the new world.  In the new world, an evil wizard rules and the people live in fear.  Jason and Rachel embark on a journey together to discover a magic word that will destroy the wizard, Maldor.  Jason and Rachel meet many people and creatures along the way, including displacers and seed people. 

The best part of the book, besides its originality, are the themes and the overall moral, which is that a real hero is someone who does the right thing even when it's really hard.  There is much great imagery throughout the book to help solidify this theme. 

My least favorite thing about this book is the character development. I just thought that the two main characters, Jason and Rachel, could have been more well developed.  Perhaps this will happen in subsequent books, but for me character development is really important, so that is the only reason I can't give it 5 stars. BUT I would highly recommend reading this book to anyone.  It is a must read in my eyes, and I will wait, impatiently as always, for the next book in the series. 

Whole Wheat Bread

It can be done!!  It is possible to make a loaf of 100% whole wheat bread that has the same texture as store bought whole wheat bread!  Since buying my year supply of wheat, I've been experimenting with making whole wheat bread.  While I've found some good recipes, my bread always turned out more dense then we like it :o( Well I finally found the perfect whole wheat bread recipe.  I found this recipe on www.everydayfoodstorage.net where you can also find a how-to video. 

As you can see, this bread comes out looking and feeling like the bread you buy in the store.  It also tastes similar to store bought bread, which is great if your family isn't used to eating whole wheat (like mine) because the flavor isn't as strong.  No worries though, it is way more healthy then any brand of store bought bread, and I can be sure that it really is 100% whole wheat since I'm grinding the wheat myself. 

For anyone new to making whole wheat bread, this is a great one to start with! 

EZ Wheat Bread Recipe
1 1/4 cup warm water
1 Tblsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup honey or 1/3 cup brown sugar
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (or whatever combination white/wheat you like...I used 100% hard white wheat.)
1/4 cup wheat gluten
1 tsp salt
2 Tblsp nonfat non instant dry milk
1 Tblsp vinegar
1/4 cup potato flakes

Mix ingredients in order listed in mixing bowl of mixer with dough hook attachment (like kitchen-aid) for 12-15 minutes. Let rise until double, 1-1 1/2 hours. Punch down and shape into loaf or rolls. Let rise again until double and bake 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when lightly tapped. 

To make the texture perfect, shape the loaf by rolling it out into a rectangle just as wide as your loaf pan. Then roll up tightly (like you would for cinnamon rolls) and pinch sides down.  Then place in a greased loaf pan.  To see a demonstration of this go to www.everydayfoodstorage.net.