About the author

I’m a writer and health advocate based in Seattle. I have an MPH in Health Services/Maternal & Child Health and an MFA in Creative Writing, both from the University of Washington. I combine these to write about health, science, food, policy, and some irrelevant things. I have also spent over a decade working in youth development and advocacy. I do not, I’m sorry to say, have a pet sloth.

I care about nutrition, social justice, food systems, quality health care and health education access, words and stories, community, sustainability, and the natural world. I spend time writing, working, frolicking, cooking, foraging, advocating, reading, and researching. I frequent farmers’ markets, share meals, and seek out interesting and kind people.

I like the bumper sticker that says, “I’d rather be here, now,” but in reality I’d probably rather be picking berries.

I’ve been published in sources including Issues in Science and Technology Magazine, the New York Times food blog, The Atlantic, JT News, and the Jew and the Carrot blog. You can check out my writing website here.

Contact me at debs at seattle local food dot com

Photo by Jessica Gaillard

20 Comments »

20 Responses

on February 10, 2010 at 9:00 pm | Reply Lisa

Debs
Love the blog-thanks for the invitation and the inspiration 🙂
on April 10, 2010 at 5:58 am | Reply bellini valli

I had been trying to get together some Seattle area bloggers together for dinner The Cordoba House and in trying to connect with local food bloggers we have been given an opportunity.

I received an e-mail from Jan Marie Johnson who is the owner/operator of Seattle Bites Food Tours. I met Jan Marie last year on her tour of Pike Place Market and had such a fabulous time!!! Her tours are a couple of hours in length and she introduces you to many of the vendors and owners at Pike Place Market, plus there are free samples of wine, clam chowder, chocolate, crepes, etc, etc. You can visit her site at http://www.seattlebitesfoodtours.com .
Jan Marie has offered us all a free tour (she will waive the $40 fee) of the Pike Place Market ….Saturday May 1st at 1:15. We will get a charming cultural Seattle tour which pairs memorable stories of the market and its merchants with delicious gourmet food and drink. She asks that in return we do a blog post on our sites about her tour!!!!!

If you would be able to take this free tour for food bloggers only with Jan Marie please leave a message and more information to follow. I see this as a way to connect with other area food bloggers and have a little fun along the way.

I am actually from the province of Brotosh Columbia but have been adopted by several Seattle based bloggers as one of their own. It allows me the opportunity to do something “foodie” while on holiday.

Warmest Wishes,
- on April 13, 2010 at 11:59 am | Reply seattlelocalfood
  
  That sounds really interesting! Please do send me more information. Whether I can make it will depend on obligations around that time. Among other things, it’s two weeks before my fiction thesis is due. 🙂
  
  Thanks,
  Debs
on August 26, 2010 at 8:48 pm | Reply Scott

Hi Deb,
Love your recipes. Would love to eat with you sometime. And, just to mention, inline with the info you and other informed and experienced people have been sharing online for some time, my experiences with dietary explorations since 1984 have clearly shown me, over many years since, that the fundamental ages old standards in dietary are the best for health, – the balanced omnivorous diet, with substantial dependence on animal foods and cooking. It’s a matter of evolution, – how we became human. And evolution can still occur though.

I saw your posting on Stephan’s blog, and I thought ‘who’s that attractive and informed woman’.

Cheers!
- on August 27, 2010 at 2:49 am | Reply seattlelocalfood
  
  Thanks for saying hi, Scott! Glad to share recipes to enhance your experiences with healthy/delicious eating.
  
  Cheers,
  Debs
on September 9, 2010 at 2:48 pm | Reply Sheri

I am trying to figure out what is average, normal or healthy to spend on food in this area. We like to eat healthy, fresh, local and preferably organic food. We do not eat out much and do not eat pork. We shop mostly at our local Safeway because it is so close; saves time and gas! For two adults and two teenage boys, we spend about $700/month on food. I excluded what we might spend on household products we all buy at the grocery store. I was looking on line to see what other families average, and it is much lower. One listed her menu and it included a lot of food I would not serve my family (ham and frozen mixed veggies). I have a friend that shops at Costco and feeds her family of four for $400/month. I have tried and just cant get that cheap.
Any insight you have to offer would be of great help!
Thanks!
- on September 9, 2010 at 4:07 pm | Reply seattlelocalfood
  
  Hi Sheri,
  
  Well, first I’d suggest not comparing to what another family spends, and just figuring out what’s right for you. Who knows if they’re right about what they’re spending or if they’re cutting corners somewhere you don’t want to, or alternatively splurging on something you don’t want. Their kids might not be teenagers and might eat less.
  
  There’s no right answer, of course. Other countries spend much more than we do on food. The food that we have that’s cheap (corn, wheat, soy-based, industrial dairy, sugars…) is subsidized, so the low price is artificial. Of course it’s easy to say that food should cost more in theory while in practice, balancing a tight budget or looking for work, we’re just trying to make ends meet.
  
  I wrote a post a few years ago with ideas about wholesome food that’s less expensive, and also meals that are fast to prepare. It’s here: http://www.gofrolic.org/gofrolic/food_blog/Entries/2008/6/4_inexpensive,_wholesome_locavore_fast_food.html
  
  I’m only feeding myself (and sometimes roommates and friends) but budgeting for a whole family can be more expensive and challenging. Would love other people’s ideas too.
  
  One other thought: You might be spending a little more right now but, if it’s in your budget, you’ll hopefully be saving on health bills, now or in the future.
  
  Debs
on September 15, 2010 at 12:38 pm | Reply Tina Bunck

Hi Debs

This sounds really good and my housemate has brought back several of the worlds largest zuccinis from her allotment!
- on September 16, 2010 at 10:04 pm | Reply seattlelocalfood
  
  Thanks, Tina! I assume you meant the zucchini crust pizza? Your comment showed up in the About the Author section. 🙂 Hope all is well! -Debs
on February 2, 2011 at 1:28 pm | Reply Thomas Morrison

I love your blog and would love to guest post an educational article I have written pertaining to organic and local foods. If you are interested please email me for more information.

T. Morrison
twmorrison75@gmail.com
on May 16, 2011 at 4:54 pm | Reply Summer Robinson

Hi Debs, great to discover your blog! I just started my own Seattle-based food and health and everything blog at yearofnettle.wordpress.com – have a look if you feel inclined 🙂
on October 26, 2011 at 3:08 pm | Reply Katie Melton

Hi Debs! You came to my journalism class this morning (I asked how many states have legalized the sale of raw milk, if that rings a bell!). I have a question for you. Do you know of anyone that eats only raw food? Is that even a possibility? That would be a great story topic for my class, if you know of anyone local. Thanks for stopping by earlier, look forward to hearing from you!

Katie
on October 26, 2011 at 3:18 pm | Reply Debs

Hi Katie,

There are definitely people who eat an all-raw diet. There are lots of differing ideas about that. Some people do it to preserve vitamins in food. While I think there are a lot of foods that it’s great to eat raw, I think a lot of plant and animal foods benefit from cooking, and there isn’t harm in cooking most things. Some foods have to be cooked to be palatable.

Hope that helps!!

Debs
on October 26, 2011 at 3:20 pm | Reply Katie Melton

Thanks Debs I appreciate it!
on May 23, 2012 at 6:53 pm | Reply Marisol

Hi Debs,
I really like your blog, so glad I found it, I’m studying to become a holistic health coach and love real food, thanks for your great writings and i’ll definitely keep reading them 🙂
Marisol
on August 26, 2012 at 4:20 pm | Reply Benjamin Sandeen

Hi Debs,

I am an intern with Bean Sprouts, a hip and healthy café that offers yummy, good-for-you food for kids, parents and even babies!
Bean Sprouts’ playful menu features plentiful choices for families with allergies and other dietary needs.

Please consider reviewing the local Seattle location, inside the Seattle Center Armory.

305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA 98109
Open 11-6 every day.
on October 10, 2012 at 9:48 am | Reply John Leary

Hi Deborah,

Thanks for your 9/15/11 article on Food Day. I contacted cspinet.org in DC and advised that I gave a shout out on my radio show. Check it out if you have a minute.

‘COFFEE and CONVERSATION’
With Hosts Shirley Carter and John Leary
Listen Wednesday (Oct 10, 9:30pm-10:00pm PST) or Thursday morning (Oct 11,12:30am—1:00am EST
Streaming world-wide On the INTERNET http://www.wtmrradio.com And broadcasting
On the RADIO WTMR 800 AM
Contact:
215-917-4913 and 215-701-7216

Keep up the good news.
on October 2, 2013 at 6:00 pm | Reply Paul Ballard

I’m interested in restaurants that provide highly nutritious foods
Containing foods high in omega 3 and such
In the Seattle area
on April 6, 2014 at 5:17 pm | Reply Naomi

I have multiple food allergies and it’s hard to find recipes that allow me to have a wide variety of flavourful foods, and some that mimic the foods I used to eat. Thank you for having so many recipes that I can quickly alter with the substitution or omission of an ingredient or two, or use directly. I especially liked finding the zucchini pizza crust recipe. I already used the cauliflower one, but cauliflower does have it’s own distinct flavour that can influence the rest of the dish. Zucchini is much better at hiding flavour, if not its rich green skin.

Anyway, thanks.
- on May 21, 2014 at 7:52 pm | Reply Debs
  
  I’m so glad! You can always peel the zucchini and save the peels for something else, if you mind the color.