A Simple Lesson on How to Make Your Own Crackers

Just about everyone loves crackers. Whether as an accompaniment to a salad or with a slice of cheese, simple crackers are both filling and tasty. Here is a basic recipe that anyone can follow in order to make fresh crackers at home.

In order to begin the process, gather the following ingredients together:

* 9 cups of plain flour, sifted
* 2 cups of warm but not hot water
* 1 cake of yeast
* 1 teaspoon of baking soda
* 1 tablespoon of iodized salt
* 1 cup of lard or vegetable shortening, melted

With the ingredients assembled, it is time to begin creating the crackers.

1. Begin the process by adding 4 cups of the sifted flour to a bowl. Measure 1 3/4 cup of the warm water into a measuring cup and add to the flour. Set to one side for a moment.

2. Soften the cake of yeast in a quarter cup of the warm water. This should only take a few moments.

3. Combine the flour, water, and softened cake of yeast. Mix thoroughly, and then cover the bowl with cheesecloth. Set the bowl in a warm spot overnight.

4. The next day, add the salt and baking soda, taking care to blend thoroughly.

5. Introduce the lard or vegetable shortening and knead into the mixture, until the dough is smooth.

6. Cover the mixture and allow it to rise. The mixture should become roughly twice the original size.

7. Turn out the dough on a cutting board that has been lightly dusted with flour. Knead the dough until the mixture is not sticky. Divide the dough into small portions and roll into thin sheets with a rolling pin.

8. Cut out the crackers using cookie cutters or by cutting with a sharp knife. Place the thin crackers on a greased cookie sheet and prick each one with a fork.

9. Bake the crackers at around 500 degrees Fahrenheit for fifteen minutes, or until they are a golden brown. Allow the crackers to cool thoroughly. The end result should be a crisp and tasty cracker.

The great thing about these crackers is they can be made using ingredients that are normally found in any kitchen. While this recipe does take some time, the end results are well worth it. The crackers can be shaped any way you like, which makes them ideal to serve with different soups or salads, or even as a fun treat with a layer of cheese or peanut butter.

The following list is to give a clearer picture of the foods one can eat on a raw food diet: Raw and frozen fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and seaweeds, fresh juices, cold pressed oils, herbs, sprouts, sprouted legumes, steak carpaccio tartar, ceviche, sashimi, fish tartar, raw eggs unpasteurized milk, yogurt and cheese. There are some variations on the raw food diet which might exclude certain foods listed here.

Research has also shown that soaking seeds, legumes, grains, and nuts actually deactivates certain enzyme inhibitors. This creates more digestible enzymes. Another thing to note about seeds, beans, legumes, and grains is that: allowing them to sprout also increases their nutrients and digestible enzymes.

If possible, growing one's own fruits and vegetables can be a great asset. This can cut down on trips to the market. It also allows one to know for certain the complete history of the foods eaten. If food is purchased, organic foods are highly recommended. They have been found to be much more beneficial than

Cooking food can take out all the important enzymes and nutrients that our bodies need, which in all reality, does make a lot of sense, since the foods are all natural this way. Cooking food only adds more negative results, like adding fats and carbohydrates that are not necessarily good-especially for your heart.

Keep in mind this does not include raw meat, since obviously, there are huge health risks when eating undercooked or raw meats. Meats are not a part of the raw food diet; though there are meat substitutes that you may want to consider like tofu and vegetarian burgers. These are known to taste, feel, and smell like actual meat products.

You may be asking what the raw diet can actually do for you besides potentially quicken weight loss. Here's a short list:

* When you consume a healthy diet such as this, you may begin to see a boost in your energy level. Who needs coffee, when you have a healthier alternative to give you added energy for the day?

* Your skin will appear healthier, since you are not ingesting unhealthy foods which only cause your skin to break out or even appear dull with no apparent glow.

* Eating healthier provides greater benefits for your heart, which can reduce your chances of acquiring heart disease.