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| January 2006
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ALUMNI NEWS |
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| Psychology Alum Documents Adventures in the Kitchen and Around the World
Twenty-five years ago, Sara Nieves-Grafals, CAS/BA '75, CAS/MA '79, CAS/PhD '80, clinical psychologist and avid cook, was just trying to convince her husband, Al Getz, to take one international trip with her. "I told her I would try it once and if I didn't like it I would never do it again," says Getz. That one trip to Spain was followed closely with a trip to Portugal, and ultimately to the biannual international trips the couple has taken ever since. The culmination of this love of travel and cooking? "Mystical Places and Marvelous Meals," a joint production between Nieves-Grafals and Getz. "It's a book for travelers who love to cook and cooks who love to travel," says Nieves-Grafals. The book documents their 25 years of travels to Bermuda, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Spain, and recipes they created to replicate the feel of the different countries they visited. "We have been all over Europe and usually spend three weeks in each place we visit. When we return home we craft recipes inspired by the trip," says Nieves-Grafals. She started writing the book in 1995, after taking a travel writing course at the U.S. Department of Agriculture University, taught by a National Geographic editor. While Nieves-Grafals would document the anecdotes of their trip, Getz would do the editing and photography. "I didn't do any of the writing, but I would help Sara focus the stories in specific ways and give them different angles," says Getz. Writing and traveling has been the balance in Nieves-Grafals' busy life. She stresses the importance of balance to the clients she works with in her private psychotherapy practice in Dupont Circle. "I work with people who have experienced trauma, so I find it important to address their problems, but also focus on the joy in life." Her start in the field of psychology came from her time at AU. Not only did she receive her bachelor's, master's, and PhD in clinical psychology, but she also worked at AU as a staff psychologist from 1981 to 1984. "I had a great experience at AU. My favorite professor was Dr. Jim Gray, who recently retired. He was very helpful to me while I was there," she says. Nieves-Grafals can't decide what her favorite destinations or recipes are, though the challenge seems to inspire her on her continued quest. "It's too hard to choose just one! I love food that is delicious and is visually beautiful. That is what I like to focus on." -Mary Mazzuca |
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