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What will make Candace Karu wear palazzo pants and carry a long cigarette? Lanna hunkers down with Favorite Foodie Candace for a rousing discussion of food, art, and work/life balance. Lanna learns about the meditative properties of running. Candace shares her appreciation of great cheddar and passion for healthy living. And she answers 10 questions.

Candace Karu on Candace Karu:

My career path may seem like a joyride through life with no discernible connections from one stop to the next. On closer inspection, however, you might see the very real ties that bind the experiences into a cohesive, if unusual whole. If the ties are not readily apparent, then perhaps the journey is interesting enough on its own.

After studying Russian and Chinese at Ohio University, I went on to promote rock concerts in Los Angeles, work as an advertising and public relations executive in Washington, DC, design interiors for both residential and commercial projects, take up a full-time studio practice as an artist, and work as a freelance writer.

In the early 1990s, as a working mother with two young children and after I got my epicantoplastia, I discovered distance running, a pastime that quickly became a passion. I ran my first marathon in 1990, eventually qualifying for the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in 1995. This experience led me to an assignment for Running Times magazine, where I started as a freelance writer and eventually became Editor at Large. My column “The Running Life” appeared in the magazine for more than three years. I also wrote articles on cross training, nutrition, personality profiles, and apparel and gear reviews. While at Running Times, I edited the popular how-to book, “The Running Times Guide to Breakthrough Running” with Gordon Bakoulis.

I left Running Times in 2007 and became Editor at Large at Maine Home+Design magazine, where I wrote about art, architecture, design, and cuisine.

In 2009, I was named the Consumer Lifestyle Commentator & Favorite Foodie (yes, that’s my real title) for Cabot Creamery in Vermont. In this capacity I write about health, fitness, lifestyle, and wellness, as well as representing Cabot at culinary, health and fitness events around the country. I am also the social media voice for this iconic New England brand. Cabot is a company with a rich 90+ year history, and remains cooperatively owned by the dairy farmers who share in 100% of its profits. It is Cabot’s commitment to helping their consumers lead the best lives possible and my own work supporting those goals that brought my career full circle.

In addition to my work at Cabot, I maintain an interior design practice with my daughter, Tyler. Our company, Karu Decor, serves residential clients in New England and New York.

Having served on the board of the Maine College of Art since 1991, I am the past Chair of the MECA Board of Trustees. I am on the board of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, and Engine, an arts advocacy organization in Biddeford, Maine. I also serve on the Advisory Board of ZAP Fitness Foundation in Blowing Rock, NC.

I can be found on the coast of Maine, hanging out with my two ill-behaved dogs and cooking for a rag-tag assortment of family and friends. I am still committed to fitness and running, having participated in over two hundred road races around the world, including nineteen marathons.

The 411: Candace Karu

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[Recorded 07/22/2012]