Reliable Breakfast and Many Unexpected Processions in Guatemala
In Guatemala I came to realize that I could depend on encountering particular things while in the land of the eternal spring. Orchids growing on city trees, dozens of air plants fallen from their branches and from their cousins’ branches in the jungle surrounding the Mayan ruins at Tikal, the thwap thwap sound of tortillas [...]
Couchsurfing in Miami to Papa a la Huancaina
Excitement about a new trip and nostalgia for past couch queries were two sides of the same coin when I opened Couchsurfing’s search page this spring. Upon friends’ urging I became a member of Couchsurfing.org (CS) and set up a profile while I was living in Spain three years ago. My first experience finding a [...]
 and set up a profile while I was living in Spain three years ago. My first experience finding a [...] "Pin It")
Megatrip to Nashville and the Most Megadelicious Buttermilk Biscuit
On the third day of summer I set out into the woods. Driving east of Nashville, we tallied six girls intent upon swimming at Burgess Falls. The ride was filled with conversation and country music as we passed fields of cows, horses, goats, and old buses. We walked the path along Falling Water River, (which [...]
Piñones, oh pine nuts!
The first time my neighbor spoke to me on the plane was during our descent into Albuquerque. “That’s the Rio Grande,” she said as we flew over a twisting river. Hearing the words “Rio Grande” made me nostalgic for stories about wild youth traversing America that I’d read years ago in books written by Kerouac [...]
Holy Juice Batman!
Everybody’s trying to be environmentally conscious and healthy these days, right? Talking about things like the green movement (just saw an awesome performance touching on that: Marc Bamuthi Joseph/The Living Word Project with Theaster Gates red, black and GREEN: a blues), CSAs (community supported agriculture), and repurposing. If in this green movement repurposing is more efficient [...]
, CSAs (community supported agriculture), and repurposing. If in this green movement repurposing is more efficient [...] "Pin It")
Cheers for empanadas
Chicago rooftop empanada Empanadas are not generally associated with death. However, on my way to the grocery store to buy discos para empanadas I found out that a family member (whose relation is through years of proximity rather than marriage or blood)had passed away earlier that day after a long period of failing health. While [...]
had passed away earlier that day after a long period of failing health. While [...] "Pin It")
The Hidden Jewel of Canadian Food
Lately, I have been cooking up kale like the sun is about to set on leafy greens. However, as winter is still quite lionesque in Chicago and not yet getting all lamby on us, there are still chilly days when the low temperatures warrant some comfort food in addition to a pile of sautéed vegetables. [...]
Hot Chocolate in a Cheesy Way
We’re a week into a freakishly warm February, and your wall calendar or planner (hope you read the Go Girl Gift Guide!) indicates that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Currently being single, I have accordingly made Valentine’s cards for elderly New Yorkers, read about radical vulnerability (thank you VICE magazine) while sitting cozily by [...]
 indicates that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Currently being single, I have accordingly made Valentine’s cards for elderly New Yorkers, read about radical vulnerability (thank you VICE magazine) while sitting cozily by [...] "Pin It")
The Best Ceviche of My Life
According to my Italian-American grandmother, it’s tradition to eat seven types of seafood on Christmas Eve, the feast of the seven fishes. This year on Christmas Eve I had a typical holiday meal prepared by my mom in Albany, New York, which did not include any seafood. So, I honored the Italian seafood tradition in [...]
Basque in the Glory of Free Cauliflower
Photo credit A Fuego Negro I never anticipated recreating classy Basque pintxos with donated food in the cavernous kitchen of my Chicago apartment (In fact, two and a half years ago I hadn’t even anticipated living in Chicago). However, due to a reliable supply of free food and a bit of Spanish inspiration, it’s [...]
. However, due to a reliable supply of free food and a bit of Spanish inspiration, it’s [...] "Pin It")
Ever since a summer trip to Girl Scout camp in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York when she was a young lass, Juliet’s been furthering her experiences away from home. Her travel includes social justice awareness trips to Nicaragua, rubbing shoulders and sharing a drawing class with indigenous Quichua people while studying abroad in Ecuador, bike riding through vineyards in Argentina, developing that signature lisp while teaching English in Spain, as well as wining, dining, and beaching in Italy and Portugal. A gourmet of enjoying life, Juliet has been acculturating to Chicago, and the many nations that call its ethnic neighborhoods home, for the past two years, where she is now lucky enough to work with refugees and immigrants and translate documents from Spanish to English on the side. She also delights in cooking in her apartment which used to be a milk factory, listening to public radio, attending art and music shows, and embroidering. She’s interested in languages, fair trade and visual anthropology.