july westhale – Sensual Foodist

Goodnight, Taipei, on Valentine’s Day

Do you love holidays? I love the idea of an unconventional holiday. Our writer, July spent some time in Taipei, and wrote about it to give you a taste of something you might have yet to try. Here’s your chance to experience a lil’ spice of Taipei.

Goodnight, Taipei, on Valentine’s Day | by: July Westhale

How do you ever been out on the streets on Valentine’s Day? Couples are all grinning at each other, giving each moon eyes, eating sitting next to each other instead of across the table, and generally just making the lives of those who are single pretty miserable. However, aside from big metropolitan cities, Valentine’s Day in the United States is more about packaged candy and stuffed bears then eating the same spaghetti noodle in a back alley of an Italian restaurant.…

Where do you put a pancit?

In your mouth, silly! I actually didn’t know what Pancit was either, but fortunately, we have the lovely July to inform us. I love traveling, and learning about food from other cultures. They way that some cultures perceive food-as sacred, a gift from the earth, or just pure respect for their bounty is fascinating. As the weather becomes warmer, I’m dreaming of exotic travel, and living vicariously through July is just enough to tide me over for the moment. Please read on to dive into this mini food-adventure with me 😉

Where do you put a Pancit? | by: July Westhale

Masarap!

There is a rumor, or perhaps a stereotype, that every Asian airline must employ beautiful flight attendants. As I sit on Philippine Airlines flight 2905 heading from Manila to Bacolod, the island of Negros, I cannot dispute it.…

Spicy Secret Series #3: Cumin

Spicy Secret Series #3: Cumin | by: July Westhale

Are you familiar with cumin? Maybe you’ve tried Indian food? Cumin is commonly used in daals, beans, curries, and soups-this spice is a powerhouse of complex flavor. With both sweet undertones and just the slightest hint of smoke, cumin’s warm aroma can lure anyone to the table.

As it turns out, cumin’s undeniably irresistible nature goes even deeper than sensory engagement. A spice with a 5,000 year old history, it has been used for everything from medicine to skin care to part of the mummification process. Often associated with dishes from Vietnam, Mexico, and India, it was also kept in small bowls on many tables in Ancient Greece, should the need arise for additional flavor.…

Probiotic-rich Cheese recipe for your belly

july Thanksgiving is over, but the Holidays have just begun! We’re in full swing now and it’s a great time to consider what’s going on in our guts. Yep. Totally serious. I want to talk about your gut. It’s a very important subject. The happy little guys (called flora) that helps us digest and assimilate our food can be damaged during holiday drinking and overeating. If you’re not doing either of these activities, bravo! If so, let’s get some probiotics in do some work!

This article from the lovely July includes a great recipe to use for the holidays. I don’t advocate using much dairy (because I’m all about high quality or none at all), but read on for a few tips if you’re open to going that route. …

Spicy Secret Series #2: Turmeric

Spicy Secret Series #2: Turmeric | by: July Westhale

Turmeric is the spice that keeps it flowin’…and what, exactly, does it keep flowing? Do, read on 😉

This bright orange spice is a member of the ginger family, and has been used for over 4,000 years to increase health and treat ailments. In Southeastern parts of Asia, it’s used to treat everything from gas to neurological degeneration.

Recently, turmeric has become popularized in the United States for its curative powers, which have been shown to counteract the damaging effects of the American diet. Used as a digestive aid for breaking down beans, proteins, fats, and grains, this miracle spice has been introduced into Western pharmacies to help maintain intestinal flora (which sugars, grains, bad fats, and antibiotics often destroy), as well as improving the elimination of toxins and purifying blood.…

A little Himalayan salt for hot and sticky nights

Hello from Bali! As I sit here melting (willingly) in the sticky heat, I am enjoying a nice, lightly salted glass of water. Why, might you ask, am I torturing myself when there are plentiful delicious beverage options?

If you don’t know this fabulous secret, get ready to learn a super simple trick to stay hydrated in the heat:

Himalayan salt!

This super simple ingredient is an electrolyte. Sprinkle a little in your water on a hot day, and you’ll have a magical rejuvenating drink. 😉

A little Himalayan salt for hot and sticky nights | by: July Westhale

Our beloved Dr. Mercola has much to say on the cultural importance of salt. He cites the historical etymology of the spice: “the word “salary” comes from the root “sal,” because Romans were paid in salt. …