I was on a pickling and fermenting kick earlier this year, inspired by food media and a field trip to Fox Haven Farm that ended with bringing a jar of class-made sauerkraut back to campus to ferment. Each week, I tried a new pickle with various spices and herbs; I experimented with cucumbers, carrots, okra, onions, … More Taste: Pickled Beet Eggs
Though I grew up helping my parents with their garden and enjoyed cooking and trying new cuisines, my food nerd fever didn’t really hit me till grad school. While in Loyola College’s Liberal Studies program, I signed up for a course entitled “We Are What We Eat: Food and American Identity.” Cotaught by a dynamic … More Teach: Why We Need to Teach About Food
Once upon a time I was a hopeful adjunct yearning for my dream job, being a full-time community college professor. It would take years of hustling, networking, and overworking before that dream would become a reality. Along the way, I worked with and became friends with some fantastic people who supported me and encouraged me … More Taste: Burmese Pickled Tea Leaf Salad
As a professor, I’m pretty much a professional nerd so I enjoy nerd things like researching for fun. During one of my research sessions, I came across an article listing a treehouse campground here in Maryland. Treehouse campground, here? Why have I never heard of this?! After a fun experience a couple years ago at … More Travel: The Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree Campground
One of American history’s bravest and boldest individuals now has her own national historical park on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Just opened in spring 2017, the park includes a visitor center, hiking trails, and pavilion and is also part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. The timing was ideal; my institution had just finished … More Travel: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park
When I teach, it’s an active event. I love taking students on field trips, helping them coordinate service learning, and workshopping their writing. Even during a regular class session, I strive to wear interesting outfits (and Instagram them at student request), often share snacks, and sometimes bring in things like fresh herbs or bubbles to … More Taste: Green Super Smoothie
On a recent Heritage Montgomery weekend highlighting and celebrating history in Montgomery County, my family and I visited a local site that not only honors African-American history but keeps it alive. Our stop was Button Farm Living History Center, on 40 acres in Germantown’s Seneca Creek State Park. Button Farm is the only living history … More Travel: Button Farm Living History Center
