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 😉

julyWhere 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.…

Do you feel amazing today?

There’s a first time for everything, right? This will be the first time I share feedback in this way. I could simply just add it to a scrolling list of positive testimonials on the sidebar of LanaShay.com, but this was near and dear to my heart, so I’m sharing it with you here. Do I have your permission? If so, please read on 😉

 

When I posted The Hurb, one response came in via email:

“Good morning Lana!
 
This is incredible!!!
I just emailed Kelsea via the “contact” link on their site. I’d love to help get The Hurb [vending] machines into Madison. Thanks for sharing! Our office building alone has the nastiest vending machine, that no one touches because the options are horrible!
…

The Hurb…can you guess what it is?

Have you ever used a vending machine? What shiny little package shot out of the bottom? When you ate it, how did you feel?

A life-long friendship was birthed out of a moment when I really could have used a vending machine-but not just any vending machine, of course. In 2012, I was dancing for a band, called Durian Sex Cult, while they performed in Santa Cruz, California. An airbrush artist named Kelsea Ernst came to paint the dancers with adornments before the show, and I totally fell in love with her. While she was airbrushing black lace cuffs on my wrists, I was expressing my deep desire for something delicious to eat to my husband Joe, sitting next to me.…

How to make chia pudding

While Joe and I were in Mexico working as Recovery Coaches at Crossroads Treatment Center, we had this glorious kitchen to play in.  We had the day before New Year’s Eve off, so we spend some time creating some videos to share with you!  We were very motivated, ambitious and directed.  We just couldn’t find it within ourselves to be serious.  Here’s our attempt(s) at creating a short video to show you how to make chia seed pudding: (feel free to watch this ridiculousness, or just skip right on down to the super simple recipe)

My husband Joe LOVES chia seed pudding. I pretty much make it just for him.  When we traveled down to Mexico…we prayed that we would make it across the border with our huge box of produce from Ocean Beach People’s organic food market.…

Interview with Darya Rose, Ph.D

Here’s a special treat in lieu of this auspicious time…

it’s a NEW YEAR!

I’ve been waiting patiently (and screaming inside) to share this interview with Darya Rose.

Darya and Lana

Here’s the scoop:

Change is the only thing that’s constant in life, and if you’re in the flow, congratulations to you.  I love evolving and changing. Stepping up my skills and learning new things.  Food and relationships are so exciting because there is so much to learn. There are many elements to improve and shift-tweaks to be made, to unfold everything amazing that is yet to come.  If you’re reading this, I’ll take a shot in the dark and guess that you’ve read some of my suggestions from 2014 and tried them out? …

Probiotic-rich Cheese recipe for your belly

 

julyThanksgiving 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.  …

Thanksgiving: Are you eating poison or fuel?

In lieu of the upcoming holiday, I’m publishing early this week! I want you to receive this special message before Thanksgiving, so that you have the opportunity to bring this knowledge with you wherever you go, to gather with loved ones this week.

Less than a week ago, my husband Joe and I sat down to watch Origins: Our roots. Our planet. Our future.

I’m not big on pushing my belief system on anyone.  It’s always an invitation.  I invite you to eat food that will make you feel amazing. I invite you to get in the kitchen with your lover and family.  I invite you to vote with your dollars, and buy what makes you feel great-and supports the people who want you to feel great.…

Halloween without the horror

…of a sugar crash!  We all love to eat sweets during this holiday, but why not eat sweets and stay sweet too?

No really, a sugar crash just isn’t pretty.  Skip the sugar, but keep the cookies!

As we’ve discussed, there are many alternatives to the white, refined sweet stuff.  Knowing the effects of sugar consumption-both long and short term, is in your best interest.  Research suggests that erratic fluctuations in blood sugar levels are the leading cause of mood swings.  Mood swings are no fun.  Halloween and holidays in general are a time when our relationship with our partner, and with ourselves, can really benefit from maintaining a calm balance.  Choose wisely what you put past your lips and set yourself up for success.…

Spicy Secret Series #2: Turmeric

july

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.…

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.…