So we did this yesterday. #urbanhomestead #chicken #grokon A photo posted by Vanessa aka Oystergirl (@theycallmeoystergirl) on Jul 4, 2015 at 4:55am PDT I celebrated the 4th of July by helping to kill a chicken, thereby invoking my freedom to further opt out of the Factory Farm Industrial Complex and become more self-sufficient. Actually it […]
A more diverse diet
I’ve had a possible breakthrough with regards to finding a more ideal way of eating for myself. We all know that a diversity of foods is important. I was thinking that maybe what’s optimal for me is to get a better diversity of foods within every meal. I don’t necessarily mean a “balanced” meal in […]
Thoughts on the “War on Science” National Geographic cover
Some thoughts only on the content of this National Geographic “War on Science” cover: Being critical of science does not necessarily mean declaring “war” or “ignoring” “facts.” I heard a great quote by Carl Sagan on remaining vigilantly skeptic of science that I haven’t been able to locate. Skepticism and critical thinking are healthy and […]
Oystergirl’s Guide to Real Living #1
I’m back in print! I just started a monthly column for The Montague Reporter (check out their Facebook page), based on many of the ideas I share in my blog and Facebook page, called Oystergirl’s Guide to Real Living. This is my introductory column. –VQ Oystergirl’s Guide to Real Living March 5, 2015 “We were not born […]
The primacy of gut biomes
Angelo Coppola’s LatestInPaleo podcast always make me nod and gasp in agreement and epiphany, but episode #119 made me holler. Gut biomes! Who knew they could be so exciting? Consider this. The health of our gut bacteria directly correlates to our own health–not only our digestive health, but our whole body and mind health. It […]
Is paleo bad for the environment?
To those who say paleo (or any particular way of eating) is “bad for the environment” (the supposed latest critique from the mainstream media): I’m finding I’m just too tired to get nit-picky over what are overwhelming highly-generalized and totally-missing-the-point arguments. I find us, in the paleo community, repeating ourselves a lot, and people STILL […]
“You don’t eat a lot of meat, right?”
Ahhh, it happened again! I was asked, “You don’t eat a lot of meat, right?” I often get mistaken for a vegetarian, or close to it (a “flexitarian”). Why would someone think that? Because they see me as a “healthy eater,” and therefore I must not eat a lot of meat, because we all know […]
One-Pot Oyster Stew Recipe
Start cooking something in the onion family. Pictured: chives. Strain 1 dozen shucked oysters to separate meat from juice (liquor). Add oyster meat to onions. Cook until the edges of the oysters start to ruffle. Add oyster liquor and 2 cups of milk and/or cream. Cook until broth steams but does not boil. Seasonings (very […]
Rhode Island Grazing Party, 6/14/14 – local and real food, paleo cookout – includes recipes
On Saturday, June 14, I hosted a grazing party and potluck at my home in Cranston, RI. It featured samplings from New England Grass Fed‘s top quality beef and talks with proprietor Patrick Beck about his animals and his methods. Also up for sampling were products from local food producers Rachael Bakes and The Local Catch, […]
San Juan Restaurant Reviews – About.com
Dining Around San Juan During Saborea “Saborea Puerto Rico, is a three-day food festival and celebration of classic and modern Puerto Rican food and drink — a wonderful gastronomic experience that also provided a chance to dine at some of San Juan’s classiest and most classic, trendiest and world-renowned restaurants.” Click here to read the […]
Casa Cortes Chocolate Bar – About.com
Cortes ChocoBar: The Sweetest Shop in Old San Juan “Cortés chocolate is a staple for both consumers and retailers in the Caribbean, and this chocolate café, or chocolaterie, is a new venture for the company. The Cortes ChocoBar offers breakfast and lunch, a wine bar, and of course, lots and lots of chocolate, in many […]
Saborea Puerto Rico Food Festival – About.com
Saborea: A Top Culinary Festival in Puerto Rico “Saborea Puerto Rico is the island’s premier annual culinary festival, held each spring in San Juan. Run by the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, Saborea is held in tents on beautiful Escambron Beach and takes full advantage of its gorgeous setting. It’s an outdoor festival that’s […]
Discover Mofongo, Puerto Rico’s Must-Try Food (About.com)
A piece I wrote for About.com: “What is one dish that people who visit Puerto Rico must try?” I got the chance to ask this question of several chefs who were participating at the Saborea food festival, held annually in the spring in San Juan. Four chefs were from Puerto Rico: Giovanna Huyke, the “Julia […]
Lechón (Puerto Rican Pig Roast) – About.com + alternate ending
After a recent press trip to the Saborea Puerto Rico food festival, I wrote an article for About.com Caribbean Travel about lechón, Puerto Rico’s national dish. Loving Lechon in Puerto Rico Spit-roasted pork is a national treasure that brings friends and family together I grew up in New England, where a common festive meal was […]
Good Hygiene Is Not Always What You Think It Is: A Conversation
In part 1 of “Good Hygiene Is Not Always What You Think It Is”, I began the story of how I changed from the constantly-compulsively-cleaning agent of mainstream synthetic hygiene I grew up as, to the crunchy, hairy, au natural, only mildly dirty hippie you smell before you. In part 2 of “Good Hygiene Is Not […]
RI WAPF: Vanessa Query, Patrick Beck on bone broth, pastured beef
On Wednesday, March 26, I did a presentation on bone broth—its health benefits, traditional preparations, and uses—at our local Providence, RI Weston A. Price Foundation chapter meeting. I was joined by Patrick Beck of New England Grass Fed, who spoke about rotational grazing strategies, animal health supported by forage-based diets, the nutritional profile of grass-fed beef, […]
Sh!t Feminist Parents Say
We present an honest and hilarious look at the trials and tribs of raising a child in today’s complicated patriarchal society.
Good Hygiene Is Not Always What You Think It Is (Part 2)
In part 1 of “Good Hygiene Is Not Always What You Think It Is”, I began the story of how I changed from the constantly-compulsively-cleaning agent of mainstream synthetic hygiene I grew up as, to the crunchy, hairy, au natural, only mildly dirty hippie you smell before you. It began when I was 20 and continued […]
Good Hygiene Is Not Always What You Think It Is (Part 1)
I have a very live-and-let-live approach to my hygiene. I agree to not bludgeon my body’s natural cleaning processes into submission with the use of synthetic commercial products, and in exchange, my body stays clean and socially acceptable with just a tiny amount of work on my part. I was not always this way. I […]
You Are What You Eat… literally!
You are made up of the cells which are regenerated by the nutrients in the foods you put into your body… a simplification, sure, but good enough. If you’re ill, unwell, have health issues—even if they are seemingly unrelated to digestion… how do you not look FIRST at what you put into your body?? Western […]