The Realities of Real Food...

When I started my sourdough journey, I didn't realize I was entering the universe of Real Food. What exactly is Real Food?

Before the era of industrialization, many families had some farmland and raised their own food. Doing that required plenty of exercise so everyone in the family was fit. And, of course, meals were made at home using the bounty of their land and the fruits of their labor. There were no supermarkets, online delivery systems or restaurants for that matter. And families faced harsh conditions due to weather, drought, floods, high winds, etc. There was no TV but with those kinds of challenges, each family had their own reality show, 24/7!

That was Real Food. Produced by Real People. And it contained Real Nourishment. 

At Some point in the later 1800s, industry began to take over the food production process. This had the promoted benefit of meeting the demand for food for the growing population. However, it did this at the expense of the integrity of the food. Quantity became more important than quality. Shelf-life became more important than nutrition. The result was the beginning of the decline of health for those who bought into this New Food.

Although Dr. Weston A. Price did the in-person research of centenarians in the early 1900s, and wrote the first book connecting food choices with longevity, it would be generations before people at large realized that what they were eating did indeed affect their health. Thus, the Organic Movement began with a handful of farmers and ranchers dedicated to bringing Real Food back to the family table. 

The Organic Real Food endeavor was embraced by a family in Pasadena who created a working micro-farm on the grounds of their home. Urban Homestead is the result of that mission and it's a place everyone should visit to see what Real Food is all about. Urban Homestead is open to the public and there are occasional events where one can learn about this little plot of paradise. In the past, Urban Homestead hosted cooking workshops and evening dinner concerts, the latter of which I attended several times; truly empowering and inspiring experiences!

Although I've been on a health journey most of my life, my deep dive began when a friend told me about Nourishing Traditions, a wonderful recipe book and health primer based on Dr. Weston A. Price's research. It was from that book that I realized Real Food is more that just the food itself, it's also how it's prepared that makes it digestible and bio-available, or not.

Foods, even organic, have their own protection mechanisms that make them hard to digest. I learned that first in Nourishing Traditions, and later, in more detail, from The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry. One of those foods is Bread.

Fortunately, Dr. Gundry made it a point to single out the one exception to eating grains (other than millet and sorghum) on the two pages where he discusses Sourdough Bread made the artisan, European way. 

I began making organic artisan sourdough bread at home in 2016, about 6 months before The Plant Paradox was published. When I read those two pages, I was relieved (and elated!) that I didn't have to stop making this bread which was bringing so much joy to those who were on the receiving end of our "random acts of breadness." 

After opening our bakery, I continued to create (and curate products that are made by like-minded artisans) that embody the Real Food ethos: organic whenever possible (non-GMO if not organic), locally made (or California based), as fresh as possible and nutritious.

I thank you for supporting Random Acts of Breadness and our mission to help people live longer, more active lives, with the inclusion of our Real Food offerings to their daily cuisine. We are all part of the Real Food Renaissance!

The Secret History of Seed Oils...

I recently came across an eye-opening seminar by Sally Fallon, President of the Weston A. Price Foundation, titled, "The Oiling of America." In this YouTube video, Sally presents the history of this particular facet of the denigration of Real Food to products that ultimately created a significant rise of disease and reduction in lifespan for Americans over the past 100 years. 

Once you start watching, you will not want to stop until it's over. 

At Random Acts of Breadness, we have never used or sold any of the seed oils covered in this video (corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, etc.). We use and sell products that contain coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, raw butter and skinless almond butter. These are healthy fats that nourish the body, and for most people, do not cause the problems associated with seed oils.

I'd love to hear from you after you've seen "The Oiling of America." This is knowledge you probably never heard about from your doctor, yet it is empowering enough to extend your life!

This Week's Fresh & Frozen Breadness...

Here's what's available from our hand-crafted kitchen this week:

> Artisan Sourdough Rolls! (4 per bag)
> Cinnamon Raisin Maple Pecan Sourdough Rolls! (3 per bag)
> Artisan Sourdough Country Loaves (full-size boule, batard, petite)
> Cinnamon Raisin Maple Pecan Sourdough Loaves (full-size and petite)
> Artisan Sourdough Crisps (Naked, Herb, Smoked, Cinnamon Raisin Maple Pecan)
> Blueberry Muffins! - Gluten-free, Keto/Plant Paradox-friendly
> Blueberry Muff'n Pops! - Gluten-free, Keto/Plant Paradox-friendly
> Beverages - Chocolate Chill, Balsamic Breeze
> Popsicles - Strawberry Coconut Cream, Pineapple Coconut Cream!

Order the above (and any of our other artisan products) at breadness.com/#shop. If a product is visible in the online shop, it's in stock. If you don't see a product in the online shop, it's sold out (but we might be making more, in which case the counter will be set to the available quantity).

Also, we can slice your bread(s) different thicknesses. Our most popular are Medium (about 5/8") and Thin (about 3/8") but we can do in between as well. Just ask! If ordering on line, enter your slicing preference(s) in the Special Instructions box during Checkout.

And Remember... we also carry the finest and freshest Organic Olive Oils from Ojai, Aged Balsamics from Modena, Keto-friendly Nut Butters from Yemetz Family Farms and NuttZo, Jamazing Jams from Laura Ann in Eagle Rock, Solar Grown Honey Spreads from Clif Family in Napa, Tasty Tapenades from Lisa Grabow in Pasadena, and the Best Butters from Raw Farm in Fresno.

Do we ship? Absolutely! 
If you (or someone you wish to gift) live within 120 miles of Los Angeles, we can ship on Wednesday or Thursday (via UPS Ground) and in most cases your Breadness Box will arrive on Thursday or Friday. Place your order before Wednesday morning here. If you live outside of So Cal, we can now ship 2-Day Air (or Ground service) on Wednesday (unsliced bread) for Friday delivery (orders that require 2-Day Air shipping must be in by Wednesday morning!). Join our growing list of nationwide customers who look forward to receiving their Breadness deliveries on a regular basis!

Let's Connect!
Random Acts of Breadness is located at 2214 West Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank (2-1/2 blocks east of Buena Vista on the south side of the street). Come to the bakery and sample our artisan wares, or order on line for bakery pickup, or have Breadness delivered or shipped to your door. You may also order by phone at 818-562-7303 and pay when you come pick it up. We're open Thursday, Friday & Saturday 12 to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.