I grew up, like most Southern kids, eating loads of fried chicken and sweet tea and whining when it wasn’t chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese for dinner.

And I didn’t really stop eating like this until my early twenties. Now, as I reach the ripe old age of 27, I am encouraged to see how food and diet have changed my life.

I must first address this love of food, because there are so many in this world without it. My heart for people stems from this basic need. I think love looks like a lot of things, and to me, a full belly just feels good. We also live in a culture of nutritional lack. Part of my love for food stems from the idea that we all deserve to use good, fresh, and local ingredients.

I moved to Portland, OR. from Jackson, MS in 2009 not really…