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

Bridging land, climate, and human health through the food we share.

"Health isn't just what happens in a doctor's office. It is shaped by climate, soil, agricultural systems, local water, food traditions, and the daily choices we make at our own tables." – Nicole

The Spark that brough Field Notes on Earth & Food to life

The spark to write this space came to me on an ordinary day at work while talking with a group of clients. On a walk during my break shortly thereafter, I reflected upon our conversations and thought: "I just have so much to say—I have to share this with the world."

I have experienced quite a lot in my life, and I know firsthand what it feels like to feel lost. Whether it was navigating life as an expat in a new country, learning a new language, or trying to understand why I could eat an apple one day and suffer from it the next—I repeatedly wished I had a mentor by my side to give me guidance.

Believe me, I asked for help. I turned over every rock in my path. I read, I asked, and I researched until one day I decided I had to go back to college and become the person for others that I wished had been available to me when my journey with food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities began to unfold.

I created this space because I was tired of seeing others suffer alone on their path to health and answers. Welcome to the table—I'm honored to journey alongside you.

Looking at the Plate Differently

When I look at a plate of food, I don't just see a farm-to-table product. I see the result of historic evolution: crops naturally augmented to be resilient in different environments, foods capable of traveling long distances, and the cultural preferences of the society we live in.

Food is so much more than calories and macronutrients—it is our ability to take part in social life, culinary enjoyment, and free will.

Having worked for many years in the food industry as a baker and in industrial kitchens, I deeply appreciate a simple recipe. Life is complicated enough; we don't need to make the food we eat tedious or tiresome. But please don't confuse simplicity with a lack of quality or flavor. I believe that pure flavor and high product quality are simple choices we can make daily on any budget. In fact, I associate good, honest flavor directly with a high quality of life.

What You’ll Find Here

To help you navigate this space, my field notes are organized into five primary pillars:

• 🌾 Land & Origin: Soil, climate, agricultural science, micro-climates, and regional food traditions.
• 🔬 Science & Gut: Unfiltered breakdowns of human nutrition, the microbiome, and the mechanics behind cross-allergies and intolerances—without clinical jargon.
• 🍞 Everyday Table: Practical allergen-friendly recipes, hydrocolloid guides, and kitchen swaps from my baking background that accommodate complex family needs without sacrificing flavor. Feel free to personalize each recipe to fit your dietary needs.
• 🏖️ Field Guides: Practical lifestyle and travel advice on how to navigate local dining, coastal trips, and global travel safely with food sensitivities.
• 📜 Stories & Lore: Fascinating histories behind popular foods, personal memoirs, and human connection around food.

Transparency & House Rules

To make your experience here as welcoming, honest, and enjoyable as possible, a few foundational principles guide this publication:

• Ad-Free Reading Experience: You will never see pop-up ads, flashing banners, or invasive video trackers on this site. I believe that learning about food, science, and landscapes should be a clean, peaceful, and user-friendly experience.
• Affiliate Transparency: To help cover hosting costs, research materials, and site maintenance while keeping the content free, some articles contain affiliate links to products, books, or ingredients I personally use and trust. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero additional cost to you.
• Respectful Dialogue: Comments are open and encouraged, but respect is non-negotiable. Constructive debate and personal stories are welcome; medical shaming, harassment, or aggressive product promotion will be removed immediately.
• Science-Grounded, Personal Guidance: While I share my insights as a nutritional science student and former culinary professional, the content here is for educational and narrative purposes—never a substitute for direct medical diagnosis or individualized clinical care.

See you along the way!

Yours truly,

Nicole