Blogger ‘Iowa Girl Eats’ kicks off University of Iowa food theme programming

Des Moines-based food blogger Kristin Porter creates recipes and shares her love of food with thousands of followers online at IowaGirlEats.com. It's fitting then that she will help kick off the University of Iowa's inaugural theme semester, 'Food for Thought.”

The UI previewed the theme with a few of events last semester. Next up is a visit from New York Times food writer Mark Bittman on Feb. 2.

Porter will be on campus throughout the day Tuesday. She'll join other local food enthusiasts at FilmScene for a WorldCanvass discussion on the intersection of food and culture at night.

In advance of her visit, she shared these thoughts about her blog, the foodie life and Iowa's culinary scene:

Q: What inspires you?

A: After writing Iowa Girl Eats for nearly six years, at times it can be difficult to find inspiration for new recipes. That said, I love updating classic dishes I grew up eating, giving them a healthier spin, for instance, making our favorite takeout dishes at home and recreating meals I've had while traveling. Cooking with what's fresh and in-season is a constant inspiration as well.

Q: How did your diagnosis with Celiac Disease impact the blog? Has it brought in a different audience?

A: Getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease in February 2014 was a huge shock, and, honestly, I didn't know if I could go on food blogging as I knew it. My fears were quickly calmed after learning more about the disease. Although I can't eat foods like traditional pastas, pizzas, cakes, cookies, etc., I choose to focus on what I can eat, which includes meat, fruits, vegetables, grains like rice and quinoa, nuts and seeds. I was actually eating mostly gluten-free already. I think the general public still sees the gluten-free lifestyle as a fad or simply doesn't know a lot about it, so I was hesitant to label myself right away as a gluten-free blogger. Over the past year, I've tried to educate my readers on what being gluten-free means and that it doesn't mean cooking with hard to find ingredients nor feeling deprived in any way. I hear from readers every day who are so excited about the new direction of Iowa Girl Eats, whether they themselves are gluten-free or know a friend or family member who is.

Q: This visit is part of the UI's Food for Thought semester. As college students are getting out of their parent's kitchens, what advice do you have for them - or any of our readers - about jumping into cooking?

A: Just start. Practice makes perfect, and I always tell people who are hesitant to start cooking to jump in, and get your feet wet. Start with something as simple as making a wrap or simple pasta dish, then continue to challenge yourself by tackling one new dish or ingredient each week.

Q: Thinking and talking about food has seen a resurgence in American culture. Where does Iowa fit in that conversation? What's next?

A: Iowa is the heart of American agriculture, and we have a responsibility to show the rest of the country how eating local is done. It's right at our fingertips. Eating local doesn't have to mean eating at a trendy restaurant. It can be as simple as signing up for a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture), visiting your local farmers market or teaching your children about how our food is grown and raised. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, either. Choosing to eat locally sourced (whether that's Iowa or Midwest-sourced) and in-season foods as often as you can, even if it's not every time, still is supporting our farmers.