Hello internet

What am I doing here? Everyone and their mom has a blog these days - literally! My friend's mom recently started her own blog, so I'm feeling a bit late to the party.

Who am I? I am a graduate student. I study developmental psychology and I am in my 4th year of a PhD program. I run experiments, analyze data, write papers, teach and advise undergrads. I do science. In the next year and a half, I hope to finish my dissertation and figure out what's next for me - I expect that there will be tough decisions ahead.

I am an avid eater. I'm hesitant to use the word "foodie" since it feels a bit flippant to me. I strongly believe that food is a critical way to connect with others. This is more than just a personal philosophy - this is also the foundation of many of my research questions! Great things happen when you share a meal with another person or group of people, and even greater things happen when you work with some ingredients and prepare food for others. I love cooking and entertaining, perhaps even more than I love trying new restaurants.

I am a crossfitter. I joined CrossFit 312 in January 2012. I've never considered myself to be an athletic person, but every time I step into the box, I am challenged in ways I never could have imagined before. I am stronger in so many ways. I've met some amazing people; intense physical punishment creates some interesting bonds. I'm running in the Chicago Tough Mudder on Saturday. If you told me two years ago that I would pay money to run a 10-mile race interspersed with obstacles that include swimming through ice water, running through fire, and being shocked with live electrical wires, I would have said you were crazy. But lo and behold I have signed up and am anxiously awaiting my 9am start time on May 18.

What will I be writing about here? My meat CSA experience, for sure. But not every meal I cook is that exciting - no doubt this blog would become boring fast if I wrote about every salad lunch and scrambled egg dinner I made. So in addition, I plan to write about food I eat outside of my house, things I'm reading or watching, and other food-related thoughts.

If you have comments, suggestions, or just want to let me know that someone is actually reading this, write me at farm.to.kitchen.table@gmail.com or leave a comment below.