In my career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I have loved sharing my joy of local foods and the farmers who produce them. I have taught classes, given hundreds of presentations, written educational materials, served on boards of directors, and more…..all with the common thread of encouraging people to eat local, nutritious, delicious foods. Farming is first-hand knowledge for me: Our family had a citrus orchard in California for more than half a century and that’s where I learned to drive a tractor! Living and working in Washington State, I have gotten to know dairy farmers, produce growers, cheesemakers, orchardists, winemakers, and others who put food on our tables. When I travel, I can’t wait to learn about local foods and the people who grow and prepare them. Especially cheese. And especially Italy.

Healthful and tasty food is more than sustenance. It’s a joy when shared with others around the table. Eating together nurtures us and builds bonds.

Life certainly brings the unexpected! An unanticipated blow was being told that my position at the Washington State Dairy Council was eliminated after nearly 20 years. An unexpected delight was being asked by my traveling friend Glenn to plan a three-month global sabbatical from late March through June 2017. We went to New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Italy, Denmark, Scotland, and Ireland. Each step of the way, I had the joy of talking with people to learn about local and traditional foods, their secrets about a healthy life, and the farms, fields, and waters that produce them. Now that I’m back in the US, I’m continuing the farm-to-table-to-body journey closer to home.

In this blog, I’ll take you along to visit some amazing people and places…and delicious food!