Happy 100th Birthday to Our Founder, Oda Lassen!
Oda would have been 100 years old this week! Lassen’s is proud to have such an amazing Pioneer in the Natural Foods Industry as our founder!
Oda Lassen
Lassen's Started with a Brave Woman and a Problem to be Solved
Oda Saw She Could Help Solve that Problem When I came into the Lassen family and learned that Oda owned and ran a Health Food Store, I just sort of thought, “Oh, that’s cool.” It wasn’t until about ten years ago that it really hit me how astonishing that was. Oda was born in August, …
Lassen's Started with a Brave Woman and a Problem to be Solved Read More »
We Call it Dessert, and it's Perfect for Summer!
A Delicious, Rich, Summery Treat I love to make this Danish dessert whenever we have guests come to dinner because it is different from anything they have ever had. We always make a game of having them guess the main ingredient, and they can never figure it out. It’s simple to make and so delightful …
We Call it Dessert, and it's Perfect for Summer! Read More »
From Immigrants to Entreprenuers
When the Hilmar and Oda Lassen family immigrated from Denmark to California in the early 1950s, their first order of business was to find a way to earn a living. Hilmar and Oda had always been hard workers, and the trial of the German occupation of Denmark during World War II had strengthened their persistence …
A Danish Taste of Summer! Jordbær Grød
The Fields are Bursting with Berries! This Danish Strawberry Porridge is one of the first Danish recipes that I tasted when I met the Lassen family. Simple and tasty, it takes advantage of the beautiful fresh berries we have in California. It makes a wonderful stand-alone dessert (served with cream or coconut cream), but can …
The Lassens Immigrate to America — A Leap into the Unknown
The End of the War The end of World War II was a huge relief to the Lassens and to all of Denmark. They were able to relax a little and resume their lives. They had another little girl, Doris, and Hilmar started a business making, repairing, and selling canvas tarps. Oda was always a …
The Lassens Immigrate to America — A Leap into the Unknown Read More »
Danish Cucumber Salad
Salad, Side Dish, Appetizer, Sandwich Topping — You Will Love this Simple and Easy Recipe! If you have enjoyed a Danish Smörgåsbord (or Swedish, for that matter) you have probably noticed a multitude of small serving dishes with little pickles of all kinds, red cabbage (rødkål, see Oda’s recipe here), peas and carrots, cucumbers, pickled beets, and …
Lassen's 42nd Anniversary!
Let’s Celebrate with a Recipe Straight from Oda and Hilmar! These are no ordinary pancakes–they are Danish Pancakes from the recipe file of Oda and Hilmar Lassen! They look like crepes, but since they came from Denmark, they have their own Danish, Natural Food twist! Like most pancakes, the ingredient list is pretty …
Blast From the Past
Forty-One Years ago in History… Body Ecology Look what I found! (Sorry the picture is a little blurry, but you know old newspapers!) This article appeared in the Camarillo paper in 1972. Oda Lassen (on the right), and her one and only employee Jeannie Green, in the first Lassen’s Health Food Store. …
Oda's Granola
Oda Lassen’s Granola Written by Gayle As promised a week ago, here is a great granola recipe. I got this recipe from Oda Lassen herself, although I have modified it a bit–her tastes were for things a bit sweeter than mine! Start with some old-fashioned rolled oats I love these …
The End Of An Era
We Honor, Thank, and Miss Oda and Hilmar Look at these two adorable people! This is Oda and Hilmar Lassen, the founders of Lassen’s. We are so sad to announce that we have lost them both. Hilmar passed away on November 11, 2012 at the age of 98 and one-half, and Oda …