GastroNerd

06/10/2025

✨ A book club.
❄️ A frozen river.
🕯️ And four women forced to revisit a secret buried decades earlier.

Liza Marklund’s Perfette sconosciute pulled me straight into the haunting stillness of Sweden’s far north—and I came out with a short story in my hands.

If you love cold-case mysteries, quiet betrayals, and characters who don’t let go of the past (even when they try), come read this:
👇
🔗 https://medium.com//the-river-keeps-the-score-de5c6e0b46f4

I wrote a story inspired by the book—and a spoiler-light review for anyone thinking of diving into the Polar Circle trilogy.
Let me know what you think. Did the river keep score for you, too?

An atmospheric short story set under a frozen bridge — followed by a spoiler-light review of Liza Marklund’s Perfette sconosciute (Polar…

04/10/2025

🌿✨ Did you know that chocolate was once a sacred drink for the gods?

In the ancient Maya world, cacao wasn’t a treat—it was a treasure. A bitter, spiced, foamy potion called xocoatl, reserved for warriors, priests, and royalty.

🌶️ Poured from high to create its signature foam.
🌌 Offered in rituals.
💀 Buried with the dead.

I’ve written a new story about this magical history.
Come discover how chocolate became sacred—and why maybe… it still is.

📖 Read it here 👉 https://medium.com//the-sacred-cacao-of-the-maya-rituals-nobility-and-the-origins-of-chocolate-4908ed1d6f16

I’ve never been to the Yucatán Peninsula — yet.

02/10/2025

🍷 “Just one glass won’t hurt.”
That’s what we often hear. But when I decided to try for a baby, I chose zero alcohol—no exceptions, no surprises.

I didn’t wait for a pregnancy test. I made an informed, intentional choice.
Because when it comes to fetal development, even one sip can matter.

In this story, I share why I gave up alcohol before I got pregnant, what the science says about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and why no amount is truly safe.

👉 Read my new piece on Medium:
No Surprises, No Sips: Why I Gave Up Alcohol Before I Got Pregnant
🔗 https://medium.com//no-surprises-no-sips-why-i-gave-up-alcohol-before-i-got-pregnant-6cdb17d9b1bf

I knew what I was doing — and that’s exactly how I wanted it.

30/09/2025

💚 Ever tasted a chocolate that feels like velvet and tastes like summer in Sicily?

Venchi’s Pistachio Cremino is more than just a sweet treat — it’s a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece that redefines what pistachio chocolate can be. No crunch, no gimmicks. Just pure, nutty indulgence layered to perfection.

🍫 Curious to know why this little green cube stole my heart?

Read the story here 👉 https://medium.com//the-pistachio-cremino-from-venchi-why-this-italian-chocolate-tastes-like-summer-in-sicily-8604f7b6e729

There are chocolates you nibble distractedly, and then there are chocolates that demand your full attention — velvety, layered, and…

27/09/2025

🌱🍫 Ever heard of bean-to-bar chocolate?
It’s not just a trend—it’s a quiet revolution.
One that starts with a single cacao bean… and ends with a bar of chocolate that tells a story.

In this new article, I dive into the world of artisan chocolate:
✔️ What "bean-to-bar" really means
✔️ Why it matters for quality, sustainability and taste
✔️ How it differs from industrial chocolate
✔️ And why once you try it, you’ll never see chocolate the same way again.

👉 Curious? Read it now on Medium:
📖 https://medium.com//from-bean-to-bar-the-story-behind-a-chocolate-revolution-a50429b8be3f

Not all chocolate is created equal.

25/09/2025

💚 Can vegan moms breastfeed safely? Absolutely—if they’re informed and supported.
I've worked with many mothers who chose a plant-based lifestyle during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This article gathers what I’ve learned alongside them: the key nutrients, the common challenges, and the power of doing things with intention and care.

👶 Whether you're a new mom, a health professional, or just curious—this story is for you.
📖 Read it here ➡️ https://medium.com//breastfeeding-on-a-vegan-diet-what-ive-learned-supporting-vegan-moms-6696c0d7ce6a

I’m not vegan.

23/09/2025

🌍🍫 When Chocolate Has a Passport
Ever wondered what makes single origin chocolate so special?

From the volcanic soils of Ecuador to the citrus-kissed beans of Madagascar, every bar tells a story — of place, of people, of flavor.

This isn’t just chocolate.
It’s geography, history, and sensory magic, wrapped into one unforgettable bite.

👉 Come explore the world of single origin bars with me — and learn why terroir isn’t just for wine lovers.
📖 https://medium.com//when-chocolate-has-a-passport-the-fascinating-world-of-single-origin-bars-427b0762052e

I still remember the first time I tasted my favourite single origin chocolate bar. It was dark and slightly tangy, with a burst of red…

20/09/2025

🤰🧀 Can you eat ricotta cheese during pregnancy?
It's a question many expectant mothers ask—especially when every bite comes with a list of do's and don'ts.
The good news? Yes, you can (usually)! But there are some important things you need to know first.
💡 In my latest story on Medium, I explore the science, the myths, and the safety rules around ricotta—and cheese in general—during pregnancy. Because when it comes to food safety, knowledge is power.
📖 Read the full story here
👉 https://medium.com//can-you-eat-ricotta-cheese-during-pregnancy-separating-myths-from-science-779a757d9b32

Tags: pregnancy nutrition, food safety, listeria, ricotta cheese, maternal health, The Curious Pharmacist, women’s health

18/09/2025

✨ Sacred, fierce, unforgettable.
Have you ever seen a cacao vessel like this?

Long before chocolate became a sweet treat, it was part of sacred rituals—served in ceremonial cups shaped like gods.
This story is a journey into the spiritual roots of cacao, and the power it once held.

🍫 From divine offerings to currency, this little bean shaped entire civilizations.
I wrote about it here—come have a look:

👉 https://medium.com//the-ceremonial-cacao-vessel-a-glimpse-into-the-sacred-world-of-chocolate-9a54c5ddaebe

16/09/2025

I just finished The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, and I still can’t shake it off.

It’s a true story—stranger and more heartbreaking than fiction—about a man with 24 personalities, and the trauma that shattered his mind.

This book made me question everything I thought I knew about identity, memory, and the human will to survive.

I wrote a piece about it on Medium—not a classic review, but a personal reflection on what this story stirred in me.

➡️ Read it here: https://medium.com//the-minds-of-billy-milligan-a-true-story-that-made-me-rethink-identity-b588ac02ecfd

Have you read it? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I picked up The Minds of Billy Milligan. I was intrigued by the title — by the idea of having…

13/09/2025

🌿 Have you ever felt like your meals were nourishing… but still missing something?

I used to count calories and macros, thinking I was doing everything right. But it wasn’t until I discovered the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to food that things really started to click.

Instead of focusing only on nutrients, TCM sees food as energy—a way to rebalance the body through the dynamic forces of yin and yang. Cool and warm, moist and dry, passive and active… all in harmony.

In this story, I share what I’ve learned about food energetics, ancient wisdom, and how to eat not just for fuel, but for balance. 🥢✨

👇 Read the full story on Medium
https://medium.com//what-western-nutrition-misses-and-tcm-has-always-known-f24f7d1b4203

Understanding Yin and Yang Through Food: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Sees Nutrition as a Path to Harmony

11/09/2025

🍫✨ Did you know that chocolate was once sacred?
Not just a treat, not just a craving—but a gift from the gods.

I’ve never been to Uxmal, but I’ve dreamed of it.
In the heart of the Yucatán, this ancient Maya city holds the memory of rituals, pyramids, and cacao as currency, prayer, and power.

Come with me on a journey through time and taste:
👉 https://medium.com//uxmal-the-maya-pyramid-where-chocolate-was-sacred-f85794749f45

By The Curious Pharmacist