more love from up North

Let's face it: the life I have chosen--that of making (if I do say it myself) incredibly good bread--takes a lot out of me. I am the luckiest man on the planet to have been where I have been and to end up here. Only real problem is balance. I haven't found it and I don't think I will any time soon. Writing this blog tonight is a step in that direction, however. And it's really more about copying and pasting the writings of killer bread fans up in Washington who have begun to discover what Oregonians have known for 2 1/2 years already: this is some killer s##t!!

Dave,
I just bought your bread for the first time today...actually its the first time I have ever seen your bread. I bought it at the Sno-Isle Natural Foods in Everett, WA. I must tell you, I think its the best bread I have ever, ever, ever had....its KILLER!!!! I bought the 'Peace Bomb' bread and I have almost ate the whole thing already!!!! I love the packaging and the names of the breads are creative and fun.
Reading the back of the bread made me want to learn more about the company so I went to the website to learn more.
I too was a Meth user and used to live in Portland (all over!). Reading your story is almost a mirror to mine except not so much pepper spray. I guess that is just how it is in that lifestyle. I worked at Tired Feat tavern on 82nd and at Wet Willey's on Foster, the biker bar that is no longer there. I moved back to my hometown in Bothell WA to get my life back together and to discover my REAL self, and in May 2008 will be Ten years staying clean from meth! I have turned my life around completely. Hooray!
I turned to natural foods and natural healing to get myself clean and ended up by working at a natural foods store for almost 7 years. I have an eye for new and different things and I love it when I find something so great.
So that is how I discovered your Killer Bread!
Thank you for sharing your story and making your bread. Love it.

Terra

I am very grateful to you for the obvious passion and concern you put into your bread. I tried it for the first time on Monday and will never buy anything else,,,EVER,,,I find great satisfaction in eating this. I love your honesty and integrity that your stories show,,,Those qualities are reflected in your life's chosen work,,,You have my respect as a person that cares about others and what they put into their bodies,,,I am very health conscious as my profession is Licensed Massage Therapy and have dedicated my life's work to helping others as well,,,maybe someday our paths will cross,,,I've told everyone in my yoga class and we will keep telling others about your wonderful bread,,,Love and Light,,,Teri

Dear Dave,

I just had to write regarding your bread! I've just received my second shipment (6 loaves) from my sister, Erin, who lives in Vancouver, WA. I live in a little town in Central Illinois called Washington. I'm originally from Chicago, but had to relocate this past summer due to the death of my childrens father. I'm now much closer to my older daughter who moved here 2 years ago to join the Illinois Air National Guard. His death left us no choice but to sell my home and move into a rental home until I can get on my feet. Back to your bread. You must be some sort of genius or something! I have never tasted anything so wonderful-nothing comes close to comparison. My favorite is the Good Seed. My kids even ask me "what bread are you using for our sandwiches?". THATS amazing in itself.
I received a gift box of different items from my sister for Christmas (all things she loves and all made in the Oregon area) which included 2 loaves of your bread. Good Seed and Power Seed. My kids and I have been addicted ever since. Unfortunately it's not something thats available in my area and to order online is just simply not in my budget. I've cut back in other areas to be able to send my sister money to send me more bread. You should be very proud of yourself.
I'm hoping that someday you're able to distribute nationwide. I'm guessing you're hoping for the same thing.
Anyway, I just had to tell you my story. We absolutely love it! Thank you.

Sincerely,
Kerry


Dave (And all wonderful hands that help), Hubby and I are trying to lose weight, and were highly discouraged with the drywall flavored whole grain breads on the market (needed to replace the high-fat, white pulpy stuff we were eating).. we found you at the Vancouver Market, smelled the fine aroma from down the street, and were sold. WE ONLY eat your breads now, and are totally fond of your 21grain. Dunno if it'll help us lose weight - DO know we're doing ourselves better for it and loving every bite!! THANK YOU...C & J

Hello Dave-I just wanted to write and thank you for sharing your story. It is making a big difference for me right now, as my son is in the midst of legal proceedings as a result of drug addiction. He received a temporary release from jail to go to 60-day treatment, before returning to have final charges determined along with jail/prison time. A good friend stopped over with a loaf of your bread recently. Eating it and reading about your journey (crying and cheering along the way) has been helpful for me, my son, and his many supporters. He is hopeful about creating a new life and appreciated reading your story, but at this point faces several years (up to 10) in prison - your sharing gives us the sense that he can (and has to) begin creating that life now and while in prison. I know that ultimately that journey is his, but he has many supporters - any thoughts about what kind of support is helpful? We write regularly and visit whenever possible. As his mom, who knows without a doubt that he is a good person, who has done some bad things - your story is good evidence that life can go on in ways that bring wholeness and benefit many. I know that the best thing I can do is stay healthy, (emotionally, spiritually and physically) and live a good life. Your story's even inspired me to get back to my own bread baking, and I baked the best batch of home-made bread ever! (I looked at your ingredient list for inspiration!) Anyway, I know your journey is also very personal, and I thank you again for sharing, and appreciate your striving for a whole and humble life. I hope to come visit your bakery some vacation when I travel through Oregon.

Thank you again,
Julie--Bellingham, WA

your killer bread.
we were standing in the grocery store on whidbey island.
"killer bread" i read. and laughed out loud to my sister.
i said, "this's weird. seems odd to buy bread marked "killer"
when i teach so many of them in prison."
yeh. well, wait until you read his story.
so i did.
hurrah. applause. man. what a model.
i've been teaching at OSCI for four years. journal writing.
i'm taking the bread bag to show those transition inmates what i mean when
i say IT IS POSSIBLE to succeed using your natural skill set in a lawful way.
i never ask them to change who they are...i ask them to consider walking who
they are in a different way.
if you have anything you'd like me to pass along to groups of guys just finishing
up short to long stints and getting ready to walk outside the walls....let me know.
in any event, i'll be telling what little i know about your story on january 10
to my first class of the year.
you are an excellent writer and have a great story to tell. thanks for sharing.
mary anne radmacher
artist, author, inspirator
get lost: that's how you find your way
back to yourself.

- mary