We often hear microbes described as “good” or “bad.”

But the gut microbiome is more like a community.

Different microbes interact with each other, compete for resources, share space, and respond to the…

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Lactobacillus.
Bifidobacterium.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

The gut microbiome is full of organisms with very impressive names.

Fortunately, Microbe School has a relaxed nickname policy.

Welcome to clas…

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We can move through dozens of conversations, documents, meetings, and decisions without moving very far at all.

The mind has been everywhere.

The body has mostly been at the desk.

Perhaps that’s one of …

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There’s something funny about gut instinct.

It can feel surprisingly certain while being remarkably short on details.

No evidence.

No explanation.

Just a quiet internal:

I wouldn’t.

Very helpful.

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Quiet can seem like the absence of something.

No television. No traffic. No conversation filling the room.

But perhaps that absence creates something of its own.

Space to notice what was difficult to he…

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Everyone wants better working conditions.

Even microbes.

Unfortunately, some requests are easier to accommodate than others.

Fiber? Possible.

Sky?

Complicated.

Read the strip below. 👇

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A meal gives us plenty to notice.

The smell of food. The first bite. The conversation around the table.

Now there’s often another signal competing for the same moment.

A buzz. A headline. A notification…

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Imagine running a cafeteria where you never know what’s being delivered.

That’s roughly the situation for our gut microbes.

What we eat helps determine what reaches them and which microbes get somethin…

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Every meal feeds more than just us.

Some of the fibers we eat reach our gut microbes, where they become food for different members of that community.

Over time, what we regularly eat can help shape whi…

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Fiber feeds more than us.

Certain gut microbes ferment it and produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds that help support the gut environment.

So when microbes eat, they’re not exactly off the clock.

R…

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Sometimes the people cheering us on have the very best intentions.

They just don’t always have the very best words.

Read the full strip below. 👇

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There are no bad questions.

There are, however, questions that make your best friend wonder whether she should have encouraged you in the first place.

Read the full strip below. 👇

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Humans don’t always eat because they’re hungry.

We eat because we’re bored, happy, stressed, social, nostalgic, or simply because the snack is there.

Try explaining that to a classroom of microbes.

Read…

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OMIE The microscopic advisor. He’s sassy, he’s cultured (literally), and he is the self-proclaimed CEO of Zara’s microbiome. Omie loves complex fiber, fears a sugar tsunami, and is never afraid to deliver a harsh reality check from the inside out. He takes his job of keeping Zara “regular” very seriously.

MISHA The cool (and slightly judgmental) older sister. At 13, Misha is balancing teenage life with the daily burden of having a highly embarrassing little sister. She’s athletic, practical, and the undisputed master of the sibling eye-roll.

MA The Chief Nutrition Officer. Ma is on an eternal, loving quest to sneak fiber into her children’s diets. She believes in the healing power of homemade dahi, the absolute necessity of beans, and that a jar of funky-smelling kimchi actually smells like “victory.”

PAPA The calm center of the household chaos. Papa is the mediator who tries to balance Ma’s health kicks with the kids’ desire for fun. He’s big on mindfulness and taught Zara deep breathing techniques, which come in handy when her gut is having a meltdown.

AARI Zara’s best friend and snacking partner-in-crime. Aari possesses a seemingly iron stomach that can digest fluorescent blue slushies and super-spicy chips without a single rumble. She is the carefree foil to Zara’s often-worried gut.

JAY The reluctant genius. A certified math wiz and studious introvert, Jay usually needs to be physically pried away from his books by Zara and Veer to come outside. He’s the “good kid” voice of reason who calculates the exact odds of Veer’s plans failing, but surprises everyone with a razor-sharp, quiet wit when he finally joins in the fun.

VEER The neighborhood smooth-talker. Veer is sassy, supremely confident, and a bit of a pint-sized hustler. He always has a scheme, a shortcut, or a blunt opinion delivered with charming swagger. He’s the adventurous speed-demon on bikes and skates who pushes Zara out of her comfort zone (and usually right into trouble).

COACH T: The overly intense P.E. teacher. Coach T believes every problem in life can be solved by running another lap around the track. She doesn’t understand “microbiome diversity,” but she definitely understands yelling “HUSTLE!” and blowing his whistle.

Zara & Omie: Volume 2

The adventures continue, and somehow, Omie has even more to say.

Zara is back, along with her invisible microbe sidekick, Omie, for another collection of everyday adventures, unexpected questions, and wonderfully unnecessary commentary.

From family life and friendships to food, feelings, growing up, and the strange little moments that make an ordinary day interesting, Zara and Omie find humor just about everywhere.

Volume 2 brings together new comic strips filled with humor, heart, curiosity, and a little wisdom hiding between the punchlines.

Perfect for kids, parents, and anyone who believes growing up should come with plenty of questions and a good sense of humor.
For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not medical advice.

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Long before microbiome became part of our vocabulary, microbes were already at work in our kitchens.

They helped turn milk into dahi, gave kanji its characteristic tang, and transformed vegetables thr…

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Instant noodles are exactly what they promise to be: instant.

The noodles have already been cooked, dehydrated, and packaged so that a little hot water can turn them back into lunch in minutes.

They’re…

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We transition between activities all day long, often without giving our bodies much notice.

Work ends. Dinner begins.

Screen closes. Fork lifts.

But perhaps there’s room for something in between.

Even si…

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We don’t have to turn every season into something productive.

Summer can simply be summer.

And nothing can be something, too.

Read the strip below. 👇

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Most of us hear the word histamine and think of allergies, sneezing, or antihistamines.

But histamine is something our bodies naturally make. It has roles in digestion, immune signaling, and even wakefulness.

Histamine can also be found in food. Fermented and aged foods can contain higher amounts, and levels can also change depending on how a food is processed or stored. Certain microbes can produce histamine too.

This is part of what makes histamine so interesting. It isn’t simply something we encounter during allergy season. It’s part of our food, our microbes, and our own biology.