Lunch with an International Eco Warrior: Nan Holda

Brian Paris and Nan Holda smile together inside Sticky Rice restaurant.

First in my weekly buy a meal project. Thinking about calling it “It’s My Treat” but open to other suggestions for the title of the project. This week I was lucky enough to have a late lunch with International Eco Warrior, Nan Holda!

What a day to get started. It was cold. Car door was frozen shut, so I had to get in through the passenger side. After mistakenly parking in the wrong lot, I finally got to a good spot and made it inside.

I was always expecting to enjoy getting out and connecting to people who I hadn’t spent much time with, but the choice of restaurant was not something I thought about. I’m normally a burger type of guy, so when Nan suggested three Asian food restaurants, I didn’t know what to think. But hey, this is an adventure, so let’s go with it.

I picked Sticky Rice from her list and it was a pleasant surprise. Started off the meal with my first experience with Crab Rangoon. It was ok, but not my favorite. I had Sesame Chicken for my entree and Nan had a Curry dish. Mine was pretty safe and I enjoyed the Chicken and Broccoli. Nan’s was a little spicy, but I think she enjoyed it.

A plate of six fried triangular dumplings served with yellow dipping sauce at Sticky Rice.

A plate of crispy sesame chicken tossed with broccoli florets sits on a table beside fried appetizers.

This was the first meal I’ve had with Nan. I’ve known her for many years because we used to see each other at music shows all the time. I used to go out multiple times a week back in the 00’s and Nan has been a fan of the local scene even longer. Learned that she used to write about the music scene back in the day.

I miss the number of shows that there used to be in Champaign, but happy that there is still a little bit of something going on at The Rosebowl and other small venues.

Snow falls outside Sticky Rice restaurant, showing stacked outdoor tables beneath a flower-painted awning.

One of the most interesting things about the lunch was hearing about how Nan only recently found her calling in life. She is dedicated to saving the world as an International Eco Warrior. Sometimes I think I’m too old to make a big change of direction in my life, but I am inspired by her coming to her life’s work at a later time.

Never too late. Thank you, Nan for being the first in this pilot program. I had a good time and hope you did too.

More from the table

Brian Paris smiles outside the Sticky Rice restaurant entrance in light snow.

Nan Holda smiles behind a table spread with fried chicken, rice, and dumplings at Sticky Rice.

A white bowl filled with green curry, meat, and vegetables sits on a table at Sticky Rice.

Tables and chairs sit outside the exterior of Sticky Rice beneath a black floral awning.