Make your own traditional sourdough bread

In the health world, there is much fear, and negative emotion associated with bread. The common understanding goes something like "It has gluten,  gmo flour, weird additives and makes you fat". Of course this is true for 90% of bread, especially that which you would buy at the super market, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water just yet!Traditionally-prepared sourdough is a wonderfully healthy option if you're missing this food staple, but don't want to compromise your health. It has a much lower glycemic index than regular bread, meaning it gives you less of a blood sugar swing. It's often tolerated well by those with a gluten sensitivity as the fermentation process breaks down the gluten making it easier to digest. Personally, organic, home-made sourdough gives me none of the problems that other breads do!It's important to recognize that sourdough bread from stores is usually nothing more than white bread, yeast and a little vinegar for taste. It is not fermented, like traditional sourdough, and not a health food.Sourdough bread baking is a new art in my life. Each loaf comes out more beautiful than the last and I'm sad I waited until now to venture into bread making.In order to make Sourdough, you initially need to make a starter.1 Start with 3 cups of organic white flour.2 In a mason jar, mix about 1/4 cup of flour and 1/8 cup of water. The consistency should be similar to glue.3 Stir with a wooden spoon and cover jar with a paper towel and rubber band.4 Set in a warm area, like on top of the refrigerator.5 Repeat this every morning and night by adding to the original starter until the 3 cups of flour is used up. At this point the starter should have a sourdough smell.Time to make bread!Ingredients:• 2 cups of organic wheat flour• 1 cup organic white flour.• 1 1/4 cup filtered water• 1/4 cup starter• 1 teaspoon of a good quality sea salt.• 1 dutch oven, or ceramic pot with a lid.• glass bowl• wooden spoonDirections:1 Mix water, salt, starter, and flour in a mixing bowl working up to medium speed, slowely adding in the flour. Use a dough hook if you have a set. You can also mix by hand with a wooden spoon. And then knead the dough until its an even consistency. I coat my hands in olive oil, so the dough sticks less.2 Form the dough into a large ball.3 Lightly coat the interior of a glass bowl with olive oil and set the dough inside.4 Cover with a lid or cling wrap and let it sit for 8-12 hours.5 Set a dutch oven inside the oven with lid on, and heat oven to 450 F.6 When oven is heated, quickly remove the dutch oven, place ball of bread inside and bake for 30 minutes.7 Take the lid off the dutch oven and bake for another 10- 15 minutes.Enjoy with some raw pastured butter, or organic cheese!