It’s been a year since my trail-work adventure in Iceland. Going through old photos and journals, I figured it was time to share some of my experience and stories. Here is the first of many of those writings. July 6th, 6pm. Inside my tent, Basar camp First day of work. Stayed in camp to help…
Author: Melissa Davis Adventure and Food Blog
Growing up in an Italian family, I have always been surrounded by good food. Some of my best memories are centered around food.
I knew from the start that I wanted to be a chef. I joined the Navy with the promise of a great cooking school and career in food. After that experience I knew there was more to cooking than rehydration and opening #10 cans. I got a job cooking at a natural foods co-op, surrounded by like-minded beautiful people. I learned how to cook with fresh, organic, natural foods. There I met my husband and we fell in love over a cup of fresh northwest blueberries and a spelt blackberry scone. I had found my place.
With the birth of our first child, I felt the rush to get my schooling finished.
I attended Bastyr University, a wonderful natural medicine school and great inspiration. There I earned my Bachelors of Science in Nutrition. In the Whole Foods cooking class(no relation to the megamart store), my favorite class, I made a connection with the instructor, Cynthia Lair. She saw my passion and encouraged my growth.
Once finished with my BSN, my husband was offered an amazing job in Southern California and we accepted. Now, two years later, we are in Los Angeles, where I have landed into a wonderful opportunity to run our children's elementary school garden. It lay, unused and overgrown. I saw it a perfect chance to bring nutrition education, healthy eating, and a connection to the earth to urban children. The children and I have been growing and learning and it is wonderful to see their enthusiasm.
Another perfect opportunity fell into my hands while searching for a community of like-minded foodies. I came across the local chapter of the Weston Price Association, of which I had heard of while at Bastyr. I contacted the chapter leader to discuss her business, Real Cooking, which I had read about online and found amazing. We chatted for a bit and she ended up offering me a job. I have been working for her ever since, preparing meals for families who don't have the time or passion to make high quality food. It has been a wonderful job, working with the best quality ingredients, most often times directly from the farmers market. I have made relationships with the local farmers and ranchers and feel so connected. I think this is the way it is suppose to be.
Everywhere I go I look for food opportunities. I guess it is in my blood and I feel so lost without it. I think I spent at least half of each day planning, shopping, preparing or just thinking about what food I am going to make next. I find inspiration everywhere I turn. From the fruit vendor on the corner to the lady selling fresh tamales out of a shopping cart rolling through my neighborhood, from the traditional compleano festa at our friend's house to conversations overheard at the farmers market.
My life is food and I am happy to be where I am today, sharing with others and doing what I love so.
Trying (and not trying) New Foods in Northern Thailand
Veg! So many interesting, new, and intriguing vegetables at my local farm stands. And being the lover of fresh food, and background as a chef, I am so excited to try them all. My favorite farmer encourages me, and is patient while I browse and ask questions. She doesn’t mind me taking a nibble of…
Winter in North Thailand
A week in January in rural Thailand Chocolate sago pudding with fresh coconut. Dried coconut is not something one can commonly find in stores in my part of Thailand. Locals use fresh coconut, as it’s widely abundant, affordable, and quite versatile. Wanting to expand my dessert repertoire, I picked up a fresh coconut at the…
Non-Traditional Home Cooking in Rural Thailand
Tonight I’m making green curry vegetables, using what I have on hand. Living in rural Thailand, I only have access to the foods sold at the mini mart and local veg from farmstands on the side of the road. Yes, I could go out to eat, as it’s very affordable and more authentic, but I…
Costa Rican Fruit: Cashew Apple
I had read a few years ago about the interesting way that cashews grew, but never thought i’d get the chance to experience it in real life. Walking the pup the other morning, a blush-colored fruit caught my attention in the driveway. Focusing my attention, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Cashews growing right here, nonchalantly…
Visiting Feria Sámara/ Sámara Farmer’s Market
Rolling into my third and final week in Costa Rica, I didn’t need a whole lot at the market. Time to use up that which I have already stocked up the fridge and pantry. Looking for some peppers, cherry tomatoes, potatoes and, hopefully cacao. Need a replacement for my fresh cacao tasting, as the one…
Costa Rican Fruit: Granadilla and Maracuya (Passionfruit)
I can’t recall the first time I met her, the fruit of my dreams. For as long as I can remember, i’ve been deeply in love with the aptly named passionfruit. Living in Southern California, she grew wild on fences and along the side of the street, the most beautiful flower I had ever laid…
Costa Rican Fruit: Soursop (guanábana)
We first met in the Philippines. My Navy ship was doing a liberty tour in South East Asia, and we had a few days leave in Manila. Browsing the grocery store for snacks and drinks(one of my favorite activities in a foreign country), I passed over the familiar juices of mango, coconut and papaya, to…
Exploring Costa Rica through local food
Eating in Costa Rica is different than anywhere I’ve been in the world, and not what one would expect. Way less cheese, salsa(in the traditional sense) and spicy foods than our North American perspective expects. The typical plate is quite simple with humble additions. Most meals include plainly-seasoned black beans and rice, with a choice…
Springtime in Piemonte
The grey cloudy days change to bring warm sunny ones and everything is in motion. The brown barren trees fill with lush green foliage and flowers burst seemingly overnight out of their winter hiding. The sweet melodies of the birds outside our window awaken us from nocturnal slumber and insects buzz about, working the newly…
Melissa Davis Food and Adventure Blog 