The Kale Whisperer is the unfolding story of a girl from a second-generation upper Midwestern American family with deep ties to its homeland(s) who grows up the in Deep South, goes to school in the great Midwest, and pursues a career in the capital of the most powerful nation on earth only to give it all up to emigrate to the capital of a tiny country that couldn’t be less interested in power.

My immigrant experience has led me to spend a lot of time thinking about the links between place, time, food, and identity. My recent early “retirement” has given me the time and motivation to stretch my culinary muscles, to learn more about my new home, and to reminisce about my other “homes”. I’ve started this blog so I can share the story of my vegetarian journey in the land of Kiwi roasts (New Zealand even has a National Roast Day on the first Sunday in August), manuka smoked bacon, and sausage sizzles. I will also share stories from and about my other homes and other times – stories about here and now, and then and there – along with the recipes I’ve developed, the lessons I’ve learned, the awesome food I’ve eaten, and the books I’ve treasured.

Together, I hope, we will laugh a lot, cry a little, and cook up an herbivorous storm.

This is my story,  with recipes.