couples advice – Sensual Foodist

When health sends a wake up call

Last week I didn’t post an article. This week will be brief and very personal. My head is spinning with all of the external overwhelm. Of course, I’ve labeled it overwhelm, in all honesty, it’s just life doing what it does. My 55 year old father moved from Wisconsin to Washington last year, and now he’s moved down to Northern California, just a few hours north of us.

After only a few days in California, my father ended up in the hospital. He was diagnosed with COPD a few years ago, but for the past 10, I’ve listened to him cough day in and day out. He’s been a smoker for as long as I can remember and it’s really caught up with him.…

Fireworks in your mouth

For a while when I was in high school, and in my early college years, I was an activist obsessive. I wanted to take a stand on, well, everything. I wasn’t happy about fireworks and their effect on the environment. I’ve matured now and have learned that appreciation is a better emotion than anger. I’ll just appreciate the beauty of this spectacular day than be angry and fight against it. I’ve found even more ways to love Independance Day, which means that I am incorporating the holiday spirit into my meals. I truly believe that everyday should include a an explosion of tasty fireworks on the palette, but in honor of the fourth of July-we have a recipe to share with a little red, white and blue (and of course green too)!…

Collecting spring water for better sex

I could actually title everything on LanaShay.com “x” for better sex. Ninety-percent of everything I eat and drink contributes to a healthy love life. This is certainly not an ego-trip, it’s fact. I’m preaching because I want you to feel good and experience sensual bliss too. If that’s alright with you, then read on.

This is a continuation from last week, when I ranted about drinking plastic flavored water. It was a sad moment when I ran out of water when I reached the top of North America’s tallest waterfall, because it was contaminated by my low-quality plastic hydration pack.

My husband Joe and I collect our water from a natural spring. We used to have an Aquasana filter on our sink, but learned after a year of using it, that it wasn’t delivering us the best source of pure water.…

Come Grocery Shopping with me!

I have a LOT of girlfriends who love to go shopping together; shopping for clothing. I can’t stand shopping for clothing! I’d much rather shop for FOOD! I’m fortunate to have a LOT of girlfriends who also love food, and they love going on culinary adventures. Farmer’s markets are some of the most exciting places in the world, if you use all of your senses to engage in the experience. I created a three minute video of one particular adventure because it was a whole morning of sensory pleasure with three women from completely different parts of the world.

Mercedes, is from Buenos Aires, Argentina; Yuliya, is from Osipovichi, Belarus; and Emilia is from Gdansk, Poland. We have so much fun eating and shopping (for food) together-and I enjoy it because of each girl’s unique approach.…

Eating well on $100 a month budget

How much do you spend per month on groceries?
My family certainly spends more than $100 each month.
Earlier this week, I spoke with a gentleman who has a $100 budget
for food every month. During our strategy session, I gave him many suggestions for improving his health, and unfortunately, many products that I suggested would take him out of his budget.

Another friend of mine mentioned that during the holidays, her food budget decreases, because she’s spending a lot of her income on gifts. Yet another friend mentioned that eating well is too expensive, and requires too much time.

I had to get creative.

Organic really is more expensive. If you go to your local grocery store and compare conventional produce to organic, you’ll see the difference, if you haven’t already noticed. …

Interview with the Sensual Foodist and Divine Kika

Just a few weeks ago, I was interviewed by Divine Kika. She’s a good friend, and incredible Tantra teacher based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you missed it, no worries, because I posted a taste below, and the full interview can be seen on youtube. The last 15 minutes or so of the video is our interview. This a full intro to the Sensual Foodist! I’m honored to have been interviewed by Kika, as her work is inspiring and I think it’s just what we need to create a more loving, fulfilling life. It wasn’t too long ago that Joe and I attended Kika’s kissing workshop, and we had so much fun I had to share this tantric kissing and sensual food practice.…

Halloween loving and pumpkin carving!

Did you carve a pumpkin this year?! If you did, congrats on being fun and playful. If not, don’t tell me you’re too old. We’re never too old to carve pumpkins!

There’s still time to get your pumpkin carving on!

Even if you’re a grinch of Halloween (I’ll admit that I’ve been know to get a little grinchy during the Christmas holiday) pumpkin carving is always a great idea.

Why am I all about this pumpkin carving business?! Two main reasons that I’ll elaborate on: inner and outer nourishment.

For my husband Joe and I, opportunities to get messy, silly, and playful together are rarely passed up. Diving into a big, sticky, squishy pumpkin is full of messy surprises. Get creative! …

Good eating: Are you jonesing for a hot dog?

Even though I totally love magazines, I currently do not receive any subscriptions. What’s perfect is the opportunity I have to read my favorite magazines every time I travel. They are conveniently tucked right in the seat back pocket in front of me. I truly love inflight magazines. They usually have unique articles about global cuisine, and exotic destinations-two things I can’t get enough of.

On our way to Bali this past summer, the words, “sex” and “drugs” caught my attention on the bottom right corner of United’s Hemispheres magazine. I don’t see these two words often while browsing these publications, so I had to read on (wouldn’t you)?

After I read the very short two paragraph blurb, I nudged my husband Joe and gave him an enthusiastic look while I pointed to the article.…

Love notes: Selfies with salads

When you’re feeling amazing inside and out, how does that affect your relationship? Conversely, how does a groggy, bloated, tired day affect your relationship? One thing that is incredibly important in my relationship is feeling really great when we’re together. You too, right? It’s so much easier to have an outstanding relationship-with anyone-when you feel so damn good that nothing can get you down.

What makes me feel that good? Sunshine and tasty food are pretty high ranking on my list. This week I’m in beautiful Hawaii, and my love, Joe is back home in California.

Even when we’re apart for a short trip like this; less than a week, we can connect through food.

I’ve certainly shared that one of our favorite things to do together is find delicious food while traveling around exotic destinations.…

3 simple recipes to get your lover in the kitchen

…blindfold them, rip all of their clothes off, lead them into the kitchen and make passionate love to them on the floor. The END. Just kidding.

This is actually a true story of two good friends of mine. A few nights ago, my husband Joe and I went out for an impromptu double date with our good friends. They’re an amazing couple that I am totally inspired by. I really appreciate the dynamic of their relationship. However, I was caught a bit off guard when Sara (names changed for privacy) mentioned that she really does not like to cook. Her husband Tom followed this by saying something like, I’ve found that if I do all of the cooking, she and I are both happier.…