If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move. — Anthony Bourdain
Travel broadens the mind, expands the spirit, and provides a new view on life. It’s the accumulation of your life experiences that defines you as a person. And today, what truly defines me is the desire to explore. To explore new tastes, new experiences, new places and, well just the new.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been traveling, both domestically and internationally, my entire life. By the time I graduated college, the only two continents I had not visited were Antarctica and Australia and sadly, I still haven’t been to either! I’ve always loved the experience of travel – the planning, the doing, and the remembering. The best trips of my life has been over the past 20 years with my husband and two sons. Together we have experienced other cultures and communities and as a result, have broaden our world views as a family.
Food is an important part of the travel experience. Through food we can learn about a country’s history, traditions, and societal norms. Food not only fulfills a basic human need, but can be a link to understanding many of today’s social, political, and environmental problems.
Food is personal and political; it’s essential but can be luxurious. Food is art; it’s family―it’s how we care for each other and know who we are. — Michelle Tea, author of “How to Grow Up”
Most people don’t think much about food. They think about what or where to eat, but take for granted where the food they consume comes from. As a society we are facing so many environmental crises, many of them a result of our industrial farming practices and the processed food industry. For more than 20 years I have worked to help change the way my family, my community, and my world think about food and how they eat. I’ve learned, from first hand experience, that once someone understands where their food comes from and how it was grown, they make better buying, cooking, and eating decisions.
In 2008, I started working with local farmers to bring sustainable and organic produce to my community. I feel deeply about connecting people directly to where their food comes from, so I created one the largest CSAs / food cooperatives in New Jersey called Farm & Fork Society, which has provided access to fresh organic and sustainable fruits and vegetables to thousands of New Jerseyans, while supporting small and local farmers. In addition, each year I raised funds to purchase produce from organic farmers to donate to local food pantries.
As Jersey girl, I currently live not far from where I grew up, with my husband Lewis and my two teenage sons. Lewis also is a podcaster- check out his show The Green Rush on the business of legal cannabis!
Eat Well, Travel Often is my way of connecting and not only sharing with you my love of food and travel, but to help you also bridge the gap with your mind, body, and spirit to create a better future for our children.
Food is our common ground, a universal experience. — James Beard