I had to adapt my baking...
... due to my Ostheo Arthritis which got really bad in my right wrist and some of the fingers.
Kneading is not an option for me, at least right now, we see how the pills work and the wrist support, but I doubt that kneading is in my future. sighhh
I have a Kentwood Chef Premier and use it for a few weeks now and I must say, I am very happy.
The holes in the bread are less open as they where when I did french kneading but my family and I do prefer it that way, we love the way how it feels in the mouth and the chew too.
* Nothing drips through, we love to our Sourdough sometimes with Butter and topped with fried egg and YES, all stays on the bread now and not running through those HUGE holes. lol
So thumbs up for my Stand Mixer, he does a great job.
I shall make pictures of my next bake.
First I felt like a cheat using the Stand Mixer but, it is baking, the result is fantastic * if I may say so myself * and all is good. :)
I don't use a mixer for a few reasons:
1. I don't like to take it out and put it on the counter to use it.
2. See #1.
3. See # 2.
Finally, for some reasons, the breads I make only require stretching and folding and the pizza I make is such a small quantity that I never thought to take out the mixer.
I have to use the stand mixer as my hand is really bad, I can not even open a bottle:(
The good thing, in the new Kitchen here I have so much space, I can leave the Stand Mixer out in its own space:)
We see, it might get better in time, right now I am quite happy with my Stand Mixer and as I do bake a lot * Family of 6 * I am glad I have it.:)
those paper cartons with screw off caps? I got a gadget for opening bottles and I travel with one just to get drink bottles open. One end flips bottle caps off, the other is a ring that snugs down onto a cap, then leverage is used to turn, like moving the hands on a clock.
I have long skinny fingers and they just get all twisted around on each other. Not much strength in them for bottle caps and lids. And for heaven's sake, don't feel guilty using a mixer! That's what mixers and other kitchen machines are for, they are kitchen slaves, there to do the time and pain saving work. I think some manufacturers forget that. :)
Sorry about your arthritis. No fun. Hope it eases up for you.
Oh yes I do hate those caps too, also the ring pulls on cans, sometimes they are so tight I need to use a fork to get underneath that thing to lift it before I can pull it.
My husband is on a mission to get me can opener and such things that are made for people who suffer from Rheuma, Arthritis and such.
I shall not feel guilty about it anymore:)
My breads turn out beautiful and they are yummy and that is all that matters PLUS I never liked the big holes lol, one gets sucked in to it.
I am on Medication for the Ostheo Arthritis but it does not seem to work, maybe I should take my Labradors Glucosamine Pills, he suffers from Ostheo Arthritis and they work a treat for him and he can walk fine again. hmmm
Oh they joy of getting older lol.
Hello PetraR
Ingrid's suggestion appears to be on ebay Australia but here are a couple of products you can get closer to home
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/4418/MagiPull
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/12399/Zyliss-5-Way-Opener
Best Wishes & Happy Baking
Here is a link (one amongst many on eBay) for an opener I got my daughter. She suffers from arthritis in her middle finger: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CANKEY-Famous-Ring-Pull-Can-Opener-Must-Have-Gadget-/290854870864?pt=AU_Utensils&hash=item43b84d1f50.
Wagner's Joint Formula is supposed the best on the market.
Good luck, and thanks again for all your advice; it helped me overcome my insecurities with SD baking!
Thank you so much for the link, I shall Order it!
It is really not nice with this Arthritis thingy. pffft
I shall keep my eyes open for the Wagner's Joint formula too.
You are very welcome, I am not a Master bread baker by my family like the bread I bake * they better like it or else hehe *
I'm Sorry that this has to happen to an enthusiastic home baker like yourself. I hope you recover soon.
Similarly, I have been inflicted with chronic back pain for the last 5 years, and since my spinal fusion surgery two years ago, I still have to cope with chronic pain most of the time. I've come to learn that illness can be a gift, knowing that it can catapult you towards renewed enthusiasm and determination. It can be crippling if your mind surrenders to it. I say rekindle your baking passion and bake more than ever. Yes! get that Mixer running!
Khalid
Thank you for your kind words:)
I am sorry to hear about your chronic back pain:(
You are right, we shall not stop doing what we love to do just because of our illness.
Petra