So happy to welcome the utterly delightful Lauren of Must Love Herbs to the podcast today. Lauren is going to speak to an idea that I don’t broach quite enough in this podcast, which is the fact that the US itself has many distinct subcultures: Appalachia (or - properly said, Appa - LATCH- a) is one of those subcultures with its own geography, heritage, music, accents, and foodways. Lauren is quickly amassing a huge following on Instagram that loves her joyful, bright, and sundrenched photos and videos that share her ancestor’s knowledge of gardening and herbalism. She also shares the most amazing adorable cakes decorated with the most intricate, skillful, adorable mushrooms - breads covered with edible florals. Lauren’s a true ambassador of Appalachia, coming from generations of Appalachians who have lived on the land for over 200 years.
If you, like me, only carry a vague idea of what comprises the Appalachian subculture, Lauren will give us all a much deeper appreciation of these resilient, strong people through her charming stories and thoughtful discussion.
It’s a cliche an apt one when it comes to Lauren - she truly is a ray of sunshine and I’m so happy to introduce her to you right now!
Highlights
- Who is an Appalachian?
- Difference in Appalachian foodways
- Lauren's father - a musician from Appalachia who *doesn't* like bluegrass
- What's growing in her garden (Market More cucumbers, 500lb cucumbers))
- Medicinal herbs for what ails her 😉
- "Big Daddy" - Lauren's grandfather and garden mentor
- Pros and cons of growing up and staying near family
- "That's a big part of Appalachia - they don't let you struggle alone"
- "It's not my knowledge that I'm sharing, it's my ancestor's knowledge"
- Melvana - a woman who bought the family land in 1900
- A bear that tried to eat her apple pie!
- Why herbalism is a private and personal thing to Lauren
- "Here you anxious people, have some herbs!"
- What's a holler?
- Gender norms for Appalachian women and men
- Is there an Appalachian aesthetic?
- Can you join Appalachia - or can you only leave?
Listen to Lauren Now
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Lauren's Storied Recipe: Kilt Lettuce Appalachian Salad
How To Contact Lauren
Website: Mustloveherbs.com
Instagram: @mustloveherbs
Facebook: Must Love Herbs
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