You won’t believe what just happened at NMC!

BREAKING NEWS! On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, between 11:30am and 1pm, a group of about a dozen culinary adventurers transformed the Northern Marianas College (NMC) Boardroom into Vegetarian Central Station!

Yes, it’s true! It was an event conceived and spearheaded by Lisa Hacskaylo, long time Saipan resident, currently working with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at the college. With the support of NMC Radiant (a newly formed group focused on improving the health and wellness of everyone at NMC) and The Spirit Squad (A group of employees who lead activities that promote camaraderie and team spirit!), whose members contributed to purchase the food and supplies, I was invited to do a brief, healthy cooking demonstration for folks looking to lose weight, have more energy and simply eat healthier!

The day before the event, we went shopping around island (Joeten, I Luv Saipan, 99 Cents Store, Sunleader, San Jose Mart and Payless) for all the ingredients–from coconut oil to dried mushrooms to broccoli, Terra Chips (and, Lara bars, of course) and much more! Locally-grown avocados for my magic coleslaw provided courtesy of group members.

In attendance at this groundbreaking event was a mix of administrators, staff, and faculty from all over the campus.

The event was a success, and as difficult as it may be to believe, 11 people were fed (albeit small portions) and not a single animal was harmed in the process!

THIS JUST IN: Word’s getting around, and according to feedback I just received from Lisa: “The NMC Breakpoint Cafe (snack bar) is now going to offer brown rice and a vegetarian stir fry dish prepared with coconut oil as a lunch option once a week–every Wednesday. Yipee! It’s a HUGE start!”

Stay tuned for more!
(Yep, I think I’m getting better at writing compelling headlines! Made you look!)


Lisa kicks things off with a welcome and introduction


Healthy shopping tips, products and dishes!


…And not a single animal was harmed during the preparation of this meal


left to right: Christopher Morabe, Amanda Allen, Ivyanne Ealy, Ni Deleon Guerrero, Frankie Eliptico, Jacqueline Che, Lisa Hacskaylo, Velma Deleon Guerrero, and the Jamaican vegan on Saipan. (Not shown: Floyd Masga and Jack Kiyoshi.)

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