Wellbylarissa

Wellbylarissa ancestral wellness & some travel

03/22/2026

Roasting a whole chicken every Sunday is a simple ritual that sets you up for the week. You get juicy, flavorful meat for meals, the giblets can be transformed into rich gravies or pâtés, and the carcass becomes a nourishing broth that elevates soups, stews, and sauces. It’s a small weekly practice with big rewards in flavor and nutrition.

This recipe was inspired by 💛

Ingredients
1 whole chicken (about 3½ lbs)
2 cups sweet potato chunks
2 cups Dutch potatoes, halved
2 cups sliced leeks
2 cups halved shallots

Seasoning
4 Tbsp paprika
1½–2 Tbsp salt, to taste
1 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp garlic powder
½ cup olive oil
1/5 cup ish of ghee or butter melted with garlic

Finish
4–6 cloves garlic, lightly smashed
1 lemon, halved
A drizzle of maple syrup (or honey)

Instructions
1. Prep the chicken
Rinse and pat the chicken dry. Place it in a large ovenproof pan or roasting dish.
2. Add the vegetables
Arrange the peppers, sweet potatoes, Dutch potatoes, leeks, and shallots around the chicken.
3. Season everything
In a bowl, mix paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and olive oil. Massage generously over the chicken (under the skin if you can), inside the cavity, and over the vegetables. I massage the garlic butter or ghee under the skin
4. Add lemon + garlic
Stuff the lemon halves and smashed garlic into the chicken cavity. Nestle a few extra garlic cloves around the pan.
5. Drizzle + cover
Lightly drizzle maple syrup over the chicken. Cover with parchment paper, then foil (so the foil doesn’t touch the food).
6. Bake
Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 2 hours, covered.
7. Finish
Remove the cover, baste the chicken, and broil for 8–10 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
8. Serve
Let rest for 10 minutes, then carve. Moist, savory, lightly sweet, and deeply comforting.

Comment Sunday to learn all the ways to use a chicken 💛

03/22/2026

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s answer to gut healing!

Congee is a warm, soothing rice porridge that’s been a staple in Chinese kitchens for thousands of years. In TCM, it’s prized for its ability to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, gently support digestion, and nourish the body without taxing it perfect for days when your gut feels tired or your energy is low.

This simple, slow-cooked dish can be customized with warming ginger, nourishing bone broth, or nutrient-rich toppings like soft vegetables and herbs.

The result? A gentle, healing bowl that feels like comfort in every spoonful. I added toasted sesame oil, brags aminos, ginger powder, siracha, and hot chili oil in mine.

Try it today: simmer 1/2 - 1 cup rice in 8-10 cups water or broth for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add a pinch of salt and your favorite gentle toppings. Enjoy warm, slow, and intentionally.

Save this for your next gut reset and tag me if you try it!

03/22/2026

Eating fruit in winter

In winter, fruit was traditionally eaten in ways that supported digestion, metabolism, and warmth. Instead of large amounts of raw or tropical fruit, people relied on stored, stewed, and preserved fruits. Cooking fruit breaks down fibers, making it easier to digest, while the warmth supports circulation and digestive function during colder months.

Warm fruit is also gentler on blood sugar and the gut. Pairing it with protein and fat helps slow glucose absorption and provides longer-lasting energy, which is especially important in winter when the body needs steady fuel.

This is why stewed fruit appears throughout European food traditions.

I’ve been craving this non stop lately! Inspired by tvaroh, a traditional Czech farmer’s curd, this dish combines warm fruit with protein and fat for a balanced, seasonal meal.

Stewed strawberries
– 1–2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
– 1–2 tbsp water
– Optional: cinnamon or lemon zest

Add strawberries and water to a small saucepan. Simmer on low heat for 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit softens and releases its juices. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

To serve
– Farmer’s curds or cottage cheese
– Warm stewed strawberries
– Raw honey, to taste

Spoon the curds into a bowl, top with warm strawberries, and drizzle with honey.

Save this recipe for winter breakfasts or desserts, and follow for more traditional, seasonal nourishment.💛

03/21/2026

Not all bones are created equal, and the type you choose changes the flavor, texture, and nourishment of your broth.

Knuckles, feet, and joints:
packed with cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. When simmered, they release gelatin, collagen, and amino acids like glycine and proline, which support digestion, soothe the gut, and maintain joint and connective tissue health. These bones were the backbone of everyday restorative broths.

Marrow bones, like femurs and large leg bones:
contain rich marrow full of fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin K2, omega-3s, and trace minerals. They add energy, depth, and richness to your broth! perfect for recovery or nourishing meals in colder months.

Oxtail and similar collagen-rich meaty bones like short ribs, oxtail, or neck bones:
they combine gelatin and collagen from cartilage with protein and amino acids from meat, producing a thick, flavorful, restorative broth that supports both gut and joint health. This is why traditional cooks prized them — a single bone giving both nourishment and healing.

Traditional kitchens often combined different bones to balance gelatin, protein, nutrients, and flavor. Next time you make broth, think about what you want it to do: heal, nourish, or both!

03/21/2026

Eating your hydration is one of the most underrated ways to support your body, especially digestion, hormones, skin, and your nervous system.

When water is bound to minerals, fats, proteins, and fiber, your body actually absorbs it instead of flushing it straight through. This is how traditional cultures stayed deeply nourished long before Stanley cups existed.

Think:
• slow-simmered bone broth rich in minerals + collagen
• congee cooked low and slow with warming herbs, roots, and a drizzle of nourishing oils
• stewed fruit (especially in colder months) for gentle hydration + digestion
• raw milk with its natural fats, enzymes, and electrolytes
• miso soup for probiotics, sodium, and deep cellular hydration

This kind of hydration supports smoother digestion, steadier energy, better mineral balance, and that “glowy but grounded” feeling.

If you’re chronically thirsty, dry, bloated, or peeing all day, this is your sign to hydrate differently!

Save this for later, and tell me: which one are you adding this week? 🤍

03/21/2026

Sardines are one of the most underrated ancestral superfoods and truly nature’s multivitamin.

They are rich in highly absorbable omega 3 fatty acids that help lower inflammation, support brain health, stabilize mood, and nourish the nervous system. They are also packed with vitamin D, which is essential for immune health, hormone balance, and strong bones, especially during the winter months or if you work indoors.

Because you eat the tiny bones, sardines are an incredible source of calcium in its natural form, balanced with phosphorus and vitamin D for proper absorption. They are also high in B12 for energy production and red blood cell formation, selenium for thyroid support and detox pathways, and complete protein to stabilize blood sugar and support metabolism.

For women especially, sardines are deeply supportive. The combination of omega 3s, minerals, and protein makes them a simple way to nourish hormones, reduce PMS symptoms, and support healthy skin and hair. They are also low in mercury compared to larger fish, making them a safer seafood choice to enjoy regularly.

If you are new to sardines, pairing them with something crunchy makes a big difference. Texture helps. I love them with simple crackers and raw onions as a snack. The crunch balances the richness and makes them surprisingly craveable!

Start small, aim for once or twice a week, and notice how your energy, skin, and focus respond💛

If you are working on healing your hormones or metabolism, add sardines to your grocery list this week and let me know how you try them!

Follow for more ancestral nourishment and simple hormone supportive foods.

03/20/2026

Stop eating cold breakfast💛

Egg drop soup has been enjoyed in China for centuries. Simple broths with ribbons of egg were traditionally valued for being nourishing, restorative, and easy to digest. Long before smoothies and iced coffee, mornings often began with something warm and savory.

In traditional Chinese medicine (and almost every traditional culture) warmth in the morning is believed to support digestion. Your digestive system is like a gentle fire that is still building when you wake up. Warm broth and softly cooked eggs are easy on the stomach, while cold foods require more energy for your body to warm up before digestion can begin.

Egg drop soup is one of the simplest ancestral breakfasts you can make. It is protein rich, mineral rich, and ready in under ten minutes. Use high quality chicken broth or bone broth for added minerals and collagen. For a thicker, silkier texture, whisk a little cornstarch with water and stir it in before adding the eggs.

Simple Egg Drop Soup

2 cups chicken broth or bone broth
2-4 pasture raised eggs
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon coconut aminos or tamari
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water optional
Sea salt to taste

Bring broth and ginger to a gentle simmer. If using cornstarch, whisk it in and let slightly thicken. Lower heat. Slowly pour in whisked eggs while stirring gently to create ribbons. Season and serve warm.

Start your morning warm this week and see how your digestion feels!

Save this recipe and share it with someone who needs a new breakfast idea.

03/20/2026

I’m very specific when it comes to food, especially seafood. If I don’t fully trust the sourcing and quality, I just won’t buy it.

So finding a company I genuinely trust feels rare. With , I can literally see the fisherman ! I know who caught my fish. l know who l’m supporting.

There’s something so grounding about knowing exactly where your food comes from instead of just grabbing something anonymous from the grocery store freezer.

The quality was out of this world. Truly. This is the same level of fish served at Nobu, and in my opinion it’s even better because I’m cooking it fresh at home and I know where it comes from.

And it’s honestly the quickest, most delicious meal.

What I did:
I whisked together raw honey, sriracha, a drizzle of sesame oil, fresh grated ginger, and a pinch of sea salt.
I marinated the salmon for about an hour, then seared it skin side down on the stovetop until crisp for about 4 minutes and flipped it cooking for another 3.
I finished it in the oven at 400 for 12 for minutes until perfectly flaky and drizzled with a new batch of marinade.

Fifteen minutes of cooking and it feels like a restaurant dinner - except better!

If you care about quality and sourcing the way I do, you need to try ! This is seafood I truly believe in.

03/20/2026

Traditional advice from my 92 year old Central European grandmother. The kind of wisdom shaped by winters, hard work, and a life lived close to the land. She believes health is built in daily habits, not trends, and that small disciplines protect your body, your home, and your peace.

• Never sit on cold ground because cold settles into the body and weakens you
• Don’t eat cold food! Always consume warm food as this is better for health and digestion.
• Never drink iced or cold drinks - again not good for health or digestion. Sip on room temperature or warm beverages!
• Always wear slippers and keep your feet warm because warmth supports circulation and overall vitality
• Always have guest slippers ready when someone comes over because hospitality and cleanliness matter
• Never wear outdoor shoes in the house to keep the home clean and energetically separate from the outside world
• Always have soup before lunch because warm food prepares digestion
• Lunch is the biggest meal of the day because you need fuel when the sun is highest and you are most active
• Do not eat a big dinner so your body can rest properly at night
• Drink tea throughout the day for gentle hydration and herbal support
• Walk often and do not be stagnant because movement keeps everything flowing
• Do not be a vegan because the body needs strength building foods
• Have outdoor clothes, indoor clothes, and pajamas because order creates mental clarity
• Never wear anything to bed except proper pajamas to protect sleep and hygiene
• Sundays are for baking because tradition anchors the week and feeds the family

It is not complicated. It is warmth, rhythm, nourishment, and reverence for the body and the home.

Which one feels the most timeless to you?

03/19/2026

There are so many ancestral sleep rituals we’ve completely lost, but these are three I’ve brought back into my evenings and the difference has been everything.

Our grandmothers didn’t have sleep supplements, magnesium on the nightstand or a ten step wind down routine. They had simple habits that worked with the body instead of against it. And somewhere along the way we decided we knew better.

Here’s what I’ve gone back to:
The first is keeping my feet warm at all times in the evening and in bed. I wear natural fiber slippers around the house and wool socks to bed every single night. Cold feet actually signal danger to the nervous system which keeps your body alert instead of letting it drop into rest. Warm feet tell your body it’s safe to sleep. It sounds so simple because it is.

The second is warm milk with nutmeg, honey and cinnamon before bed. The milk provides tryptophan which the body converts to melatonin. Nutmeg has been used across Europe for centuries as a natural sedative. Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar through the night so your cortisol doesn’t spike at 3am and wake you. Honey gently fuels the liver through its overnight work. She didn’t know the science behind it. She just knew it worked.

The third is switching my phone to red light after dark. Our ancestors lived by firelight after sunset and their melatonin rose naturally with the darkness. Blue light from our screens tells the brain it’s the middle of the day. Red light mimics firelight and lets your body do what it was designed to do.

Three things. No supplements. No gadgets. Just the wisdom that kept women sleeping deeply for thousands of years.

Comment RED LIGHT below and I’ll show you exactly how to switch your iPhone to red light in seconds. 🌙

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