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.…

Burning Man fare is essential …and dusty!

Just over one week ago, my husband Joe and I departed from the desert in Nevada, specifically, “Black Rock City.”  We spent one week in the desert for the annual festival, Burning Man.

 

 

We were fortunate this year, as we camped with Red Lightening http://www.redlightning.org/ and were served  two delicious meals each day. After the week we spent with Red Lightning, we realized there were a myriad of reasons we loved our camp, but of course, the deciding factor was the food.

 

 

For being in the middle of the desert, the quality of the food was excellent.  I really cannot complain because last year, we lived on canned Amy’s soups, raw carrots, and a random handful or two of mixed nuts that someone gifted us.  …

Spicy Secret Series #1: Cinnamon

july

Spicy Secret Series #1: Cinnamon |  by: July Westhale

Remember “How snacks can save your marriage?”  Well, that moment when your blood sugar drops and you’re ready to chew on your own arm, cinnamon is a quick and easy trick!

Research has shown that two teaspoons of cinnamon the night before a blood glucose test can drastically alter the results. As a long-time hypoglycemic, I always carry cinnamon supplements around in my purse-arsenal for times of low blood sugar, since it’s a well-recognized quick-fix.

For hundreds of years, the spice has not only been used to solve a hangry-arm chewing catastrophe, it’s also used as a remedy for muscle spasms, to vomiting, and just for the common cold, or loss of appetite, stomach upset, and inflammation that contributes to illnesses such as arthritis or chronic pain.…

Where my sweet (dessert) spot is

I’m in Nevada this week for Burning Man!  While I dance my butt off in the heat, I long for cool, sweet indulgences.  As I daydream, hopefully I can vicariously live through you after I tell you where the best sweet spot is!

It’s not often that I feel the need to review or even mention a dessert spot, as I am not a fan of sugar or processed food.  However,

I’ve discovered perfection!

juice with a twist

Joe and I love to break away from our day and go out for a long stroll and enjoy a sweet snack.  Yet it’s rare that we do so anymore, as we don’t seem to have many options.  There certainly are not an abundance of ice cream shops or places to get a desert that don’t load up on sugar. 

How snacks can save your marriage

…or maybe just your day.

 

Mexico was blissful.  I’m sad it’s over, and yet so grateful for the time we spent in tropical paradise.

 

A few days before we departed, our photo shoot on the beach was the perfect opportunity to capture the essence of the trip.  We woke up before sunrise; around 5 am and stepped onto the sand just as the breathtaking colors flooded the sky.

Joe and Lana kiss

Everything was magical.  It was quiet, peaceful, and the colors were stunning that morning.  There was only one issue.  As we rushed out, we discovered that our hosts were fresh out of bottled water, and it was too early for us to buy water anywhere.  Sweating buckets in Mexico without water to drink isn’t the most pleasant experience, but we figured we’d survive, and departed without H2O.…

Nothing says I love you like…CHOCOLATE!

Thank you Google analytics for letting me know that men are reading!  Guys.  Chocolate.  It’s important.  Do you ever surprise the special lady in your life with an unexpected gift of chocolate?  Ladies, does your guy love chocolate too?

For me, chocolate from my lover is like a gift from heaven. If it’s from my husband Joe, and it’s the kind that I love most, I really do feel the LOVE!

 

We all know how chocolate works, right?

 

“If you’re one of these individuals who gets a nice mood boost whenever you sink your teeth into a bar of pure, unadulterated chocolate, it is not happenstance.

 

There’s actually a chemical reason called anandamide, a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that temporarily blocks feelings of pain and depression.

3 Foods to avoid when traveling with your lover

Is this your first visit to LanaShay.com?  If not, you’re already familiar with the concept of Sensual Food and what it is.  To sum it up, it’s real food, food that is unadulterated, unprocessed, pure, clean, natural, and organic.  If we want to get really specific, it’s local and sustainable too!

It’s just scrumptious, colorful food.  

It’s pretty simple when it comes to identifying the opposite, however I don’t talk about it much.  I like to focus on what’s desirable, as opposed to what foods to avoid.  Though sometimes it’s necessary.   Right now, I’m in beautiful, sunny, sweltering Mexico.  The heat is more than enough to get me feeling uncomfortable midday.  I make sure not to add any element of discomfort with certain foods (that are very plentiful here).…

Flight food for lovers: what to eat in the sky

Joe (my husband) and I have been in transit since the day that we met…almost!  We love to break free from our daily grind and travel.  We’re passionate about exploring the world.

Traveling with a lover can be challenging and very telling of the relationship.  I love to travel with Joe and we always have a lot of fun.  As I mentioned in 3 tips to keep a romantic getaway truly romantic, one of our favorite things to do in a new location is try the local fare.  This piece is extremely important.  Deciding what, where and when to eat in a foreign country can be tricky.  Getting to the foreign country-the time in transit, a whole other level of strategy is necessary.…