Contributors
About Amanda ∞ Amanda was once asked if she was Ironic. That is, from Iran. She replied that yes, she is Ironic. ∞ Adores Ironic food. Especially ghormeh sabzi. ∞ She will always look at the dessert menu first. ∞ It is quite possible that at the end of an evening out together, you will realize you discussed nothing but food. ∞ Watermelons, cherries, Satsuma mandarins and cilantro are her all-time favorite things to eat. And crème brulee. ∞ Loves Michael Pollan, Mark Bittman and Alice Waters. ∞ Tried going vegan but she was always hungry. Tried going vegetarian but she loves salmon. ∞ Was forced to eat black pudding in a Scottish boarding school and she still bears a grudge about it. ∞ Some of her best friends are raw foodists. (No, really.) ∞ Sugar is her crack. She’s a recovering addict. ∞ She is one of those nutters who writes Trader Joe’s/Whole Foods/Starbucks/fill-in-the-blank once a week (or more) with suggestions about how to do something better. In fact, she thinks food companies should hire her as a professional suggestion maker. Food companies don’t think so. ∞ Voted most likely to be a pain in everyone’s ass.
Check out some of her writing about health, food, and conscious consuming on CNN.
About Citadel Moon Citadel Moon is a feisty force, full of ideas and spirit. She will never be wanting for words, which serves her well as an attorney by day, entrepreneur-writer-mom by night. With two little rambunctious boys keeping her busy, she has learned to juggle childhood allergies and healthy cooking with finesse. From a large and close family, cooking and eating together has always been a priority for this dynamic woman.
About Leva Leva hails from the Land Down Under (Melbourne, Australia). She is a nutritionist. Leva is a nutritionist. She’s also kind of vegetarian. Kind of, in that on the day she decided to become vegetarian she ate a huge steak. When people ask Leva nutrition questions she usually buckles and says there’s no right answer, that food and nutrition are part of a complex interplay of science, biology, sociology, and ecology. And that’s not wrong, but it’s a cop out. A cop out she won’t be surrendering to anymore. She’s becoming increasingly passionate about plant-based diets, and food industry practices often offend her. The disparity in food consumption that she has seen between countries inhabiting the same planet boggles her, and the inhumanity with which animals in the food chain are treated makes her wonder about those allowing it. Her driving philosophy is that truth is one and indivisible; that while there are areas in life that are grey, there are many more areas that are clear, if we just choose to see.
About Liz Liz is a scholar and a storyteller. Raised in traditional ways of cooking and caring for the Earth, she is fearless in seeking out ways to give voice to those most underrepresented. From a diverse background herself, she grew up with multiple traditions and foods. Committed to the truth, she is also a lover of delectable snacks from around the globe, reflecting her own multi-perspective on honoring and enjoying the gifts from nature.
About Lys Lys is a wizard in the kitchen and master multi-tasker. An expert manager dedicated to promoting education and awareness, she is as multilingual as she is multi-talented. While she is proven professional, her cooking talents only match her charm and sweetness. Particularly skilled in baking, her variations in cheesecakes are always in demand, not to mention her other specialties, from flourless chocolate for the gluten-allergic to chocolate lace cookies.
About Melissa. Melissa is a food educator focused on incorporating more fresh, delicious, local produce into people’ s diets and working with local non-profits, schools and health centers to create and demonstrate recipes that are fruit- and vegetable-based and simple to prepare. She hopes the merger of her Johnson and Wales culinary degree and master’ s in nutrition education (with some strategies from her elementary ed degree thrown in for her kids’ classes) produces dishes that keep people happy and healthy for years to come – and also satisfies her parents that she’ s been able to utilize at least 3 of her five post-graduate degrees. A lover of learning (um…duh?) she’ ll read (and remember) almost anything you throw down in front of her. Her two favorite topics? Food and men -which she writes about passionately and often. For more of her food and dating adventures, check out the hilarious Love Hurts, Bacon Heals.
About Monkey Somewhat confusingly, Monkey was not born in the Year of the Monkey. It is unclear exactly how or when this moniker came about, but it did. Maybe it’s because she eats a banana every day and finds the cracking of peanut shells almost therapeutic. Or maybe it’s because she has gangly arms and her hair grows like wildfire. Probably it’s just because ZomppaB thinks she’s really clever (but all little sisters know better). Although nowhere near the level of ZomppaPatty’s photographic ability, Monkey does like to use her camera when she’s bored. She also likes to eat (it runs in the family) – bribes of bread or dark chocolate are welcome.
About Salma Having grown up in India, Salma spent most of her graduate years in the US eating a solid diet of lentils, veggies, rice, and yogurt that she paid for with the meager salary provided to graduate TAs. This meant she was initially very perplexed about why Americans think eating healthy on a strapped budget is impossible. Continuing discussions with American friends, observing and experiencing American culture, as well as reading about American food systems means that she’s less perplexed though no less determined to keep exploring how individual action and institutional systems generate cultural norms about food. These interests are tied to broader interests in the Environmental Humanities, Salma’s interdisciplinary and professional home where she researches and teaches on topics such as food, film, and the intersections of social justice and environmental sustainability (i.e., just sustainability). In her spare time, Salma continues to enjoy eating Indian staples but has also expanded her diet to include such goodies as husband Dan’s home-baked breads and home-brewed beers.
About Shan Shan doesn’t like to be in front of the camera, but boy does she shine in every way possible. She may not say much, but her photos say it all. This mystery woman cooks and bakes at the Michelin-level, experimenting, creating, and making a lot of people happy. She is also an avid forager and gardener. A world traveler with a sophisticated palate, she has sampled some of the most heralded foods in the world – and recreates them in her home kitchen. A closet clothes designer and decorator, she is passionate about eating well and enjoying the simple things in life.
About Tsering Our Tsering is not even fully aware of her true inner strength. Born and raised in exile, she is one of the most grounded and gracious individuals. She will tell you like it is if it is in your own best interest and will drop everything to come to your aid if you need it. She might get frazzled every now and then with her spirited (and delightfully naughty) daughter and a mischievous son, but you would hardly know it. She handles everything with aplomb, always recognizing that life is fluid and transient, and so is stress. A vegetarian herself, this gutsy woman can make the best fried chicken without having to taste it. She makes pesto by hand and rolls out the softest rolls, but would have no idea what the measurements are–they just “happen” to come out perfectly each time.
About Guest Contributors We are fortunate to have a number of guest contributors who offer their insightful perspectives and unique voices to the dialogue.
