Fratelli’s Bakery
Sunday, August 20, 2006 by Michelle
After my run today, I went to Vancouver's most fabulous bakery at Commercial Drive and East 2nd Street, Fratelli's (we call it Fat Bellies for very good reason). One of the women who works there is a tiny person; around my height but about 110 lbs soaking wet. She commented that I was getting tinier every time she sees me (I buy bread there regularly). We talked for a few minutes about running and going to the gym and how good that feels, and she said she was 220 lbs a number of years ago. She decided she didn't want to be a bad example to her daughter, so she lost weight through exercise too (working at a place like Fratelli's, I imagine that would be quite difficult). It was very inspiring and motivating to know she was at one time heavier than I had been when I started getting fit, and you'd never know by looking at her now she was ever overweight! There was an extra spring in my step when I left there today.
And it's amazing I can go into that place and just buy bread, or today just a scone for Chris' breakfast. In the past, Chris and I used to buy a lot of very fattening food there and I'm sure I gained about 20lbs in one year because of it (Chris probably didn't gain a pound). Now Fratelli's is just a place to buy bread and a very occasional awesomely delicious treat. My advice: go there, buy bread or a special occasion cake, and support their bakery. They support the community both officially through contributions to a local charity (check out their website), as well as a local homeless man who is treated respectfully and generously by staff. It's lovely.