Chef Shayna

Five years ago today was a day none of us will ever forget — Caroline had her limb salvage surgery, the day her tumor was removed and she was given what we now lovingly call her “super human humerus.” 💫

This past November, she completed her final of six lengthening surgeries, and today marks her last set of regular scans as we transition into yearly observation. That’s a lot of bravery, resilience, and grit packed into one kid.

Caroline, you (and your sister) have shown our family what true strength looks like. You didn’t just get through this — you grew through it. Today we celebrate you, your healing, and the many bright, healthy years ahead.

Superhero doesn’t even begin to cover it. 💛✨

December was a good one.

Full of family, fun, and being present. I was a little quieter here because I chose real life over posting—and I wouldn’t change it.

I also didn’t send a Christmas card this year (first time in 16 years 😅), so if you didn’t get one… you weren’t cut from the list. We’ll catch you next year.

Wishing you a very merry belated Christmas and a happy New Year. Here’s to more presence, more joy, and more moments worth putting the phone down for ✨

Still making Halloween magic 🎃✨

Even as the girls get older, they still get just as excited for the decorations, costumes, and all the little traditions that make this season so fun.

It makes my heart so happy that they love it as much as I do — the decorating, the dressing up, the memories we get to make together every year. 🖤👻

Here’s to holding onto the magic — and making it last as long as we can. 🧡

Just wrapped up an incredible trip to Yuma, AZ for date harvest 🌴✨

Did you know it takes 7+ years before a date palm produces fruit? And once it does, every single date is hand-pollinated, hand-thinned, and hand-harvested. The work is literally done tree by tree, fruit by fruit. It’s one of the most labor-intensive crops in the world—yet the result is this naturally sweet, caramel-like fruit that’s been cherished for thousands of years. Dates are actually considered the oldest cultivated fruit and one of the most consumed dried fruits in the world!

Dates aren’t just delicious—they’re packed with nutrients: fiber for digestion, potassium for recovery, magnesium for muscle function, and natural energy that beats any processed snack. 💪

Standing among the palms during harvest reminded me how much care, patience, and tradition goes into bringing something so simple yet powerful to our tables. 🌞

Grateful to witness the process firsthand and even more grateful for the farmers who dedicate their lives to this craft.

“The storm emerged without any warning, without any sign. She never saw it coming — a whirlwind of darkness, uprooting her present and cascading shadows over her future. A true collision of disruption and despair, she finds herself consumed by chaos — her faith unraveling as it disappears into the cries of the sky. And in the midst of heartache, she decides that she can either dwell in her disasters or she can learn to weather them — she can let the storm break her or she can let it build her. It’s in this moment of clarity that she begins to fight her way out of darkness. It’s in this moment of grace that she stops running from her storm and starts following her rainbow. And despite the aches of her journey, she is led to a place only she can find — a place of courage, a place of beauty, a place of becoming. This is what it means to overcome. This is what it means to survive. And although the storm brought her destruction, it also brought her strength. She learned that she is more powerful than anything that arrives to break her — the darkness will never stop her from finding her own light.“ -quote from a gift we received.

Sept 8, 2020 marks the divide between life Pre-Cancer and Post Cancer.
Five years have passed, since we were told “it’s cancer,” and while we often think time will erase this part of our story, the truth is, we will always be marked by this diagnosis… and while we choose to find the good and channel strength from it, it still presents us with challenges.
September is both month and the month our journey into this world started… I’ve found myself dreading it every year.

I burst into tears driving Caroline back to school from a dentist appointment today- overwhelmed with emotion- grateful for where she is now- dancing, cheering, playing, schooling, all the things - but still carrying some trauma from the years of fear, stress and sadness.
I know her story has impacted people I don’t even know and for that reason, I continue to share.

We all have our own storms, they are all hard in their own way… but we have to remember, “the bigger the storm, the greater the rainbow.”
📷

Summer 2025 has been busier than planned.
We took a weekend off to remind ourselves what it’s all about.

Little Miss continues to be Cancer Free!
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Scan day is always so exhausting- it brings back the flood of emotions, fear, and memories of weekly check in’s at “the hotel,” but getting the “all clear” report is 🙌🏻 the best news!
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A stop at the hospital wouldn’t be complete without a pic in front of the giant ♥️- to us, so symbolic of the staff with huge hearts at that has helped us through this journey.
VCH has great art decking the halls to keep little ones (and moms) entertained. Little Miss always stops to take a picture in front of my favorite painting. It was a symbol of hope during our stays- reminding me of my 2 girls- 1 blonde, 1 brunette, with brighter days ahead. I’m thankful we are once again playing at the beach together. Swipe to check out the growth in the last 4 years.

We’ve been pouring our hearts (and muscles) into a dream—and it’s finally taking shape. 💪✨

This space has been months in the making, and I’m beyond proud to share what we’ve been building… Recover Lab —a modern recovery studio designed to help our community feel their best.

But this post is really a tribute to my husband—whose hard work, incredible talent, and unwavering dedication brought this vision to life. Every detail, every late night, every “just one more run to the store” moment—he’s shown up with heart and grit. 🤍

And to our girls—may you always flex that kind of strength (inside and out).

🌹 REINTRODUCING COUNTER 🌹

Yup, our dacoeite clean beauty brand is back, but with an upgraded packaging and a few new formulas.

Our Cleansing Oil and Hydrating Essence remain the same, just in new sizes.

You’ll notice the serum is pink, thanks to potent naturally derived B12. Love!

Finally, the Soft Cream (day), daily cleanser, Brightening Facial oil & Vitamin C (my jam) remains the same. 🤗

Shop-
https://www.counter.com/?aff=SHAYNATELESMANIC

✨Lucky 13 ✨
Happy birthday to the one that made me a mom. I’m a day late to post because I’m still processing having a teenager in the house (I’m not old enough for that).
We started Lady A’s birthday celebration with a bang- hello braces- and continued with all the best things- lake night, beach day, shopping trip, besties, and a homemade ice cream cake made by little sis.
If you’ve known me for a while, you know I love the little kid years, and I’ve always been a bit nervous for the “teen years” but now, as we’re in the thick of it- I have to say it’s so fun. It brings it’s new set of challenges and days of self discovery - but like anything in life, it’s pushing me do be better and continue to set examples for my girls….chasing dreams and making the magic happen.
Happy birthday Lady A

Derby Down 2025 ✨ The one where we chaired the party.
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Maybe it was by chance that I met these two beauties in 2008. We all had just relocated to Fresno (thanks to our hubbies) and found each other during a volunteer meeting for Junior League of Fresno. Fast forward many years, many babies, and fun times later, these 2 helped me through the hardest year of my life when my family l lived at VCH. They showed up in a big way and showered our family with love and support- and kept us moving forward.
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Chairing party to raise funds for was both an honor and somewhat therapeutic.
We are 4 years from ringing the bell 🔔- we still have a year of regular scans for Little Miss to be deemed cancer free, and a life long journey with ortho and audiology. During the party, these 2 helped me share our story so that we may help support others walking a similar path- that need a little extra hug and strength to put one foot in front of the other. A huge thank you to everyone that came and donated- it is incredible that we exceeded our fundraising goal of $100k to be donated to the Oncology department during our Gifts for Kids presentation.
The party is now in the books. It feels kinda like a wedding. A year of planning, and it was over in 5 minutes. I am grateful for and honored to work alongside all my La Feliz sisters- and especially these two.

Most work trips don’t end in a journey to the desert to ride camels, sand dunes, and ATV’s, but this last one did and I’m here for the adventure (but happy to be back home now).
My second time to Dubai was much better than the first. It’s taken some time but I’ve gotten better about acclimating to time changes (hello 12 hours difference) and staying hydrated and healthy on the go.