My work with AmeriCorps from 2010-2011 taught me the importance of food and nutrition, especially to our neighbors in poverty. My VISTA assignment inspired a new set of beliefs that I use to guide my life and, in turn, this blog.

I try to live by these basic principles, but I’m not perfect. I readily admit I don’t always follow everything on this list. But this is a general blueprint by which I live my life.

• Buy local. As the daughter of a small-business owner, it feels good to support local mom-and-pop operations.
• Be green. I’m more of the sea-foam variety, but I try my best to save my little corner of Mother Earth.
• Eat frugally. In the blog’s early years, this was a necessity because of aforementioned status as an AmeriCorps volunteer. However, I’m still mindful of what I spend on food even if I have a grown-up job.
• Fight hunger. People shouldn’t be deprived of a basic human need, regardless of their lot in life.