In defense of 'pine cone' bread

I'm in "training" for a little knee surgery next week, and by "training" I mean keeping my caloric intake below normal. (Carefully avoiding the word "diet.")

Which brings me to the subject of pine cone bread.

I had never heard the term till yesterday, when I gathered with some friends for lunch and brought out my peanut butter and peach on whole grain bread sandwich.
(No, not peach jam, actual slices of fresh peaches--yum!)

I happened to mention how much I love super-grainy bread and how my daughter, a vegetarian for years now, considers it gritty. I simply could not imagine how anyone couldn't like the crunchy concoction.

And that's when my friend Natalie said that when she and her sister were kids they would beg their father not to bring home any "pine cone" bread. I nearly spat out my bite at that point. (Natalie has a way of delivering the most original and hilarious lines with little warning.)

But I digress.

I've also heard whole-grain yumminess referred to as twigs and bark. What is it with the comparisons with trees?

Maybe it's an astrological thing. I'm a taurus and apparently like things earthy. But perhaps those less attracted to the ground prefer to eat something more akin to sliced clouds.

So in defense of bread of an arboreal persuasion, let me say that:

(1) It's beautiful. Seriously, just look at the amazing texture and doo-dads on a slice.
(2) It takes strength to eat, giving your jaws a workout, thus burning extra calories.
(3) It's filling. I can eat a piece of pine cone bread and be satisfied for at least 2 hours longer than if I ate a similarly sized slice of cloud bread.

But I won't quibble any further.

Suffice it to say that I shall relish my beautiful pine cone bread + peanut butter + peach sammies as I "train" for the next 9 days for a lateral release.

And may those who prefer more fluff enjoy your own little slices of heaven.

Images by katiew , stephendl , and adineland