The headaches started in my late twenties. Not migraines exactly, but a persistent low-grade pressure behind my eyes that showed up three or four times a week. I blamed stress. I blamed screens. I blamed the fluorescent lights in every American office I ever worked in. What I never blamed was lunch. For years, my …
Every American thinks they need to move to London or Paris or Amsterdam. Meanwhile, there’s a random city in Poland throwing visa sponsorships at anyone who speaks English and can turn on a computer. They’re literally desperate. These aren’t “teach English to kids” jobs. These are actual careers with European contracts, 25 days vacation, and …
Teriyaki Chicken Poke Bowls combine the best of Hawaiian and Japanese-inspired flavors into one fresh, colorful, and nourishing meal. While traditional poke bowls focus on marinated raw fish, this variation uses tender chicken glazed in sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, served over a bed of fluffy rice and topped with crunchy vegetables, creamy avocado, sesame …
It looks like a magic trick. A mid level municipal worker in Emilia Romagna closes their laptop at 55 and starts spending afternoons in a garden they actually own. Meanwhile a peer in Phoenix hits 62, still juggling rent, driving parents to appointments, and counting down years to Medicare. The Italian is not richer. The …
In the diverse tapestry of Italian cuisine, some of the most cherished foods aren’t the most glamorous they’re the ones you reach for without thinking, like Taralli. These crunchy, ring-shaped snacks from Southern Italy might not be as famous as pizza or pasta, but they’re a staple in Italian households and bakeries. With a satisfyingly …
The email arrived from my old insurance company in March 2022, six months after I’d moved to Valencia. “Your COBRA coverage has expired. To continue coverage, please contact us regarding individual plan options.” I deleted the email. For the first time in my adult life, I wasn’t worried about American health insurance. I was paying …
When you think of Spanish food, dishes like paella or tapas probably come to mind. But in northern Spain, particularly in Asturias, there’s one indulgent dish that locals can’t get enough of: Cachopo. Imagine two large beef fillets sandwiched around cured ham and melted cheese, then breaded and fried until golden perfection. It’s a meal …
I gave my pantry a customs check. If an ingredient would be blocked at a European border, it was blocked at my breakfast table. Thirty days later, I slept better, had steadier afternoon energy, and my grocery bill looked boring in the best way. This is the exact playbook I used, the additives I cut, …
Portuguese cuisine is one of Europe’s most underrated treasures. Known for its bold flavors, rustic simplicity, and deep ties to tradition, Portugal’s food scene is a reflection of its seafaring history and rich cultural tapestry. From cozy soups to seafood classics and irresistible pastries, Portuguese dishes have a way of winning over both locals and …
The Barcelona rental listings looked straightforward. Find an apartment, contact the landlord, sign a lease. The same process everywhere. Then we discovered that the apartment we rented for €1,450/month was previously rented to a Spanish family for €980. Same apartment. Same landlord. Same everything. We were paying a 48% premium for being American. The Barcelona …
And what it reveals about plumbing, patience, and a culture that refuses to panic about bathroom messes Walk into a typical Italian apartment, especially in a historic city like Florence, Bologna, or Palermo, and you’ll find a bathroom that functions beautifully — but in a way that would confuse, and possibly horrify, many American visitors. …
Crispy, vibrant, and endlessly customizable, spring rolls are a beloved appetizer and snack found in many Asian cuisines particularly in Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese culinary traditions. Known for their delicate rice paper or wheat flour wrappers and fresh or savory fillings, spring rolls can be enjoyed either fresh (often called summer rolls) or fried to …