Field Notes on Earth & Food

An outdoor autumn harvest table setting with dark table linens, dark grey plates, orange dahlias in a vase, taper candles, small pumpkins, and bowls of green grapes.

Beyond the Plastic Mask: The Ancient Celtic Roots and Real Food Traditions of Samhain (aka Halloween)

Look past the plastic candy buckets and discover the ancient Irish origins of Halloween. Explore the agricultural roots, real food traditions, and seasonal wisdom of Samhain.

Top-down view of freshly baked apple crumble with a golden almond-oat streusel topping in a bright yellow ceramic casserole dish on a wooden surface next to a striped kitchen towel.

Harvest Bake: The Art, Science, and Comfort of Almond & Tonka Apple Streusel

Got an orchard harvest overflowing with late-summer apples? Discover a fast, gluten-free, and plant-based Almond & Tonka Apple Streusel that turns humble unpeeled fruit into cozy comfort.

Overhead view of a freshly baked golden-brown lattice apple pie on a wire cooling rack next to a wooden rolling pin and flour bowl.

The History of Apple Pie: From Medieval Coffins to Unpeeled Perfection

Explore the fascinating global history of apple pie—from medieval pie "coffins" to modern sourdough crusts, unpeeled heirloom apples, and mindful baking secrets.

Top-down view of a dozen eggs in a cardboard carton resting on a rusty vintage baking sheet, displaying varying shell shades from white and cream to soft blue, pale green, and deep terra-cott

The Humble Egg: Ancestral Intuition, Modern Science, and Finding Our Balance

From ancestral breakfast tables to modern planetary guidelines, the humble egg sits at the crossroads of science, culture, and sustainability. Here is a grounded look at the anatomy, nutrition, and global guidelines surrounding one of nature’s most complete foods.

Close-up of street vendor hands turning fresh corn on the cob roasting in a large metal basin over open coals, surrounded by unhusked corn.

Invisible Borders: How War, Displacement, and Geopolitical Crisis Shape the Human Microbiome

Global crises, displacement, and food insecurity leave an invisible mark inside the human body. Explore how the gut microbiome acts as a biological ledger of collective trauma and how cultural food traditions build generational resilience.

Top-down view of black bowls filled with warm white bean stew topped with mushrooms, croutons, and thyme, set against a dark background with charred lemons and brass spoons.

When Peace is Broken: How Stress Rewires Your Gut (In a Matter of Hours)

Stress isn't just in your head—it reverberates directly in your belly. Discover how cortisol alters your gut flora within hours, why we crave comfort foods, and simple ways to soothe your nervous system and microbiome.

Flat lay arrangement of fresh whole vegetables and herbs including carrots, red cabbage, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers, celery, avocado, ginger, and basil on a dark stone background.

The Invisible Monastery Inside You: A Beginner’s Guide to the Human Microbiome

Digestion isn't just an input-output machine. Explore the invisible network of trillions of microbes living inside you, how they talk to your brain via the vagus nerve, and why feeding your internal "monks" holds the key to overall health.

Close-up overhead shot of frost-dusted red currants frozen on stems.

Cold Gold: The Science, Power, and Art of Freezing Summer’s Harvest

Master home freezing with simple food science. Learn how to stop freezer burn, prevent browning, and preserve summer fruit for smoothies, baking, and jams.

A small glass jug filled with golden olive oil sealed with a cork stopper, resting next to fresh whole olives and olive leaves on a dark surface.

Is Olive Oil Really Medicinal? (Or Is It Just Marketing?)

From ancient Greek traditions to EU health claims: we explore the chemistry of high-phenolic EVOO, the throat "cough test," and whether olive oil is truly medicine.

Flat-lay view of a wooden cutting board with dry instant glass noodles in a blue bowl alongside fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a cucumber.

Why Ultra-Processed Food is Winning the Race Against Real Food

How industrial food engineering rewired our sensory expectations—and how returning to unadulterated whole ingredients restores natural flavor wisdom to your table.

Freshly harvested whole foods including tomtoes, cucumbers, figs, walnuts, and onions arranged on a rustic wooden table.

Field Note #001: Welcome to Field Notes on Earth & Food

Welcome to Field Notes on Earth & Food - a space exploring food history, regional agriculture, gastro-geography, and soil health. Join us as we reclaim real flavor, honor traditional foodways, and rediscover what it means to nourish ourselves from the ground up.

I am a geographer and nutritional scientist sharing stories shaped by land, climate, culture, food, and the quiet moments along the way.

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