Thursday, July 21, 2011

Helm's Bakery truck...

I grew up in southern California, and one of the best memories I have is the Helm's Bakery truck, this beautiful shiny yellow truck that came down our street a couple of times a week.

The driver would blow his whistle, and we would all holler and run outside to the truck.


When he opened the back end, it was fitted with steel shelves that rolled out fresh pastries, cinammon rolls, bread and donuts. Some were still hot and steamy.


It was sensory overload!

We never bought much, but the opportunities abounded.

Before we selected our treat, we studied each shelf, we pointed and discussed the fillings, the toppings, etc. I remember that driver being patient and putting up with us, he was probably used to it. No doubt the same scene repeated itself on each street.


The memory is still strong, but the trucks are long gone.


I think the reason for this blog is because I am midway in my weight loss and fitness program... back to where I used to be... :)

So for today, the Helm's truck provided a snapshot back in time, as I eat my Vita Muffin with 100 calories, 10 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein... I'm good with that, but it didn't come in a shiny yellow truck, and no one blew a whistle. I miss that.




15 comments:

NanaNor's said...

Great Job Sonja, Keep it up girl. I recognize the hunger for those sweets but I can't have them either now due to gluten intollerance. You keep working though and enjoying exercise.... hum, well put praise music on when you exercise and that will make it better.
Hugs, Noreen

Felisol said...

Congratulations in reaching your aims. I don't, and I'd definitely fallen for Helm's Bakery Truck.
Just the thought of it makes me want sink my teeth into some tasty, good smelling bakery.

In fact there's a gas station near by serving free coffee (one pays 20 Dallas once a year, and then the rest is free). They are also selling new baked chocolate buns, buying ten is half price of buying three.
As if I don't get the concept! I nevertheless often am led into temptation and smilingly return to the car with my arms full of coffee and buns.
Is there a link to sin in general here?

Debbie said...

Oh Sonja, I remember those trucks too! Only I don't remember them being Helm's...We just called it "the bread truck" haha...Oh how I loved it! Those wonderful drawers that would pull WAY out revealing soo many tasty donuts and rolls. And the smell was to die for. In fact, I remember the smell more than anything. Probably because we rarely bought anything, but I'd stand there when the other ladies were shopping just so I could smell the wonderful smells. I can close my eyes and smell it right now...yum, soo good. Good work on the diet. I am still plugging away at it. Soo hard, sigh. Have a wonderful week-end. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Why do I want a donut now? haha...Hugs, Debbie

Farm Girl said...

Good job on the weight loss! I wish I had seen them, I guess it was like the Milk man for me. I really enjoyed getting milk in glass bottles.
My Dad worked part time when I was a little, little kid as a Fontana Pie man. That was what we had here in Bako. He drove a truck too but I don't think it was as cute as that one.
Enjoy your healthy muffin though. :) Very nice post.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Well congratulations...that is awesome. I hate to say I slipped with the move and lost my exercising route. Enjoy, enjoy enjoy....your victory.

Oh the truck sounds great..maybe that is why they having such a come back all around the nation...food trucks, they add a different kind of memory.

Debbie Petras said...

Good for you Sonja! Halfway there and continuing ...

I love the memory you shared of this bakery truck. It seems that it's so easy to have a little of this and that and before you know it, you've had way too much. My mom used to always talk to me about moderation and small portions.

I too am continuing to work on losing some weight I accumulated in the midst of stress. Walking on a treadmill a friend gave to me has been so helpful. Since it's just too hot in Phoenix to walk outside during the day this has been such a help to me. And keeping my hands off the snacks at work is something I've been working on avoiding. I'm replacing them with healthy options in my lunch box.

Much love to you sis,
Debbie

Barbara said...

Oh my Sonja, you did bring back some wonderful memories, yes we had a bakery truck come to our house twice a week, so cool, what ever happened to milkmen and bakers and those who had fresh goods to sell, ummmmm such sweet memories I have of those days, the chocolate chip cookies especially. Thank you for this glimplse back into a much easier and simple time.

Kathleen said...

Oh yes! And the milk delivery. Or the Watkins man. Or the ice cream truck. What a fabulous memory, Sonja. I just love "going home" for those kinds of childhood reflections.

We didn't have a bakery truck, but we had one of everything else. I'm surprised I don't now weigh 300 pounds given my love of all things sweet (and salty, and buttery, and ....)

Nancy said...

Way to go Sonja....I am so proud of you....I am still struggling in the weight department...so hard to give up those sweets......I keep telling myself they are empty like so many other things of life that seemed to draw us from God's best.....

We didn't have a bakery truck but we had an ice cream truck......I can still hear the bells coming down the street......Oh the sweetness of childhood memories.....

Marsha Young said...

Sonja - You go girl!

And here's to great shiny truck memories, and missing whistles. :)

Blessings to you - Marsha

Pom Pom said...

Hi Sonja! Thank you for visiting my blog! That bakery truck sounds wonderful. Good for you, eating sensibly and getting healthier and healthier! You looks great! Pretty hair, too!

Crown of Beauty said...

Sonja, this post makes my mouth water, as I just love breads, especially if they are made of different kinds of grains! WHen I was in Switzerland many years ago, I loved their eight grain bread, which we had for breakfast everyday, with homemade butter, and blueberry jam, and orange marmalade!

That shiny truck is something I would like to see.

Sonja, I also take time to tell you that I have prayed for you, Debbie, Felisol, and another blog friend from Norway named Colleen... that God will be your comfort and your strength in this difficult time of coming to terms with the tragic death of so many innocent young people.

Love
Lidj

Debbie said...

Is that an old photo? I think it's grand to have the visual to go along with the memory. I was thinking as I got to the last part of this post how much more fun it would be to get our healthier snacks from a festive truck like that, and BAM... that's exactly what you said.

Hmmm... maybe you're on to something there. A brightly colored truck (with a bell, of course) full of healthy treats!

Finally home from vacation and trying to catch up.

Sharon said...

Oh, I can just smell the glazed donuts!

What great memories, Sonja! I think that this fast-paced society has really lost something quaint from the past. We sadly lack the personal touch...

Do you remember having milk delivered from Adohr Farms??

GOD BLESS!

Deborah Ann said...

"Nobody blew a whistle" You crack me up! If I knew how to blow a whistle with some letters on my keyboard, I would surely do it.

Congrats on getting in shape! I've been meaning to do that, but that dang truck is parked in my kitchen...