Lyrical asked: Suppose you had to choose just 3 of the 10 THM steps – which 3 would you tackle first?

Lyrical asked Marilu “What is your advice to people trying to live well in uncertain times?”

Clean your bathroom (or kitchen) tiles with a clean damp sponge dipped in baking soda. Just rub it on the tiles – yes, it may take a little elbow grease – then rinse with warm water and vinegar. About a cup of vinegar to a gallon of warm water works great.

For a tough spot, wipe with straight vinegar first, then scrub with the baking soda. Or use baking soda, lemon, and salt. There’s no need for harsh chemicals.

Note * Do not use vinegar on marble. Warm water with a dish soap should work fine to clean marble surfaces.

Bonus Tip * If you’re interrupted in the middle of cleaning your tiles, you can leave all of these on the tiles without worrying about damage. Get back to it when you can (or before you need the shower/tub/vanity…).

The best tool for cleaning grout and all the tight angles in a bathroom is an old toothbrush. When you “retire” a toothbrush, just put it with your cleaning supplies. Use the toothbrush with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda for excellent results. When you’re finished, soak the toothbrush in vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to prevent bacteria from growing on the bristles.

Cancer prevention * Fruits & vegetables are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which protect you against cancer-causing agents.

Weight control * Fruits & vegetables improve digestion, metabolic efficiency, and contain only a fraction of the calories found in processed snack foods.

Prevent heart disease and stroke * Antioxidants and phytochemicals also help prevent fatty deposits from forming in blood vessels.

Lower blood pressure * Switching to a diet full of fruits and vegetables significantly lowers blood pressure because of reduced weight, lower salt intake, and increased intake of potassium and magnesium.

Look and feel more vibrant * Trust Marilu and the Total Health Makeover®! You’ll see.

Photo by Steve Woods

Sit up straight! Yes you.

Uncross your legs and put both feet on the floor.

Get your hips and shoulders in a square – with no funky angles.

Keep your head in line with your spine – no chicken pecking (chin forward) or tipping your head back.

As the weather warms up, we spend a lot of time cleaning and organizing, doing yard work, getting outside and active again. When you get sore, try a muscle rub with one or more of the following ingredients to help alleviate muscle pain.

Arnica (A. montana) * This flower has strong anti-inflammatory power in topical treatments like gels and creams. Avoid if you are allergic to daisies.

Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) * The aromatic leaves from this evergreen tree stimulate circulation which helps carry away pain-causing chemicals.

Cayenne (Capsicum annum or frutescens) * This compound is found in pepper; it reduces the levels of a chemical that transmits pain messages from the skin to the brain. Test in a small area first.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) * The menthol from peppermint leaves and flowers creates a cooling sensation while reducing inflammation and relaxing muscles.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) * The essential oil from the leaves and flowers stimulates circulation, which helps reduce pain and speed healing.

Dear Diary ~ Get It Together begins Monday, April 13. Challenge yourself to be responsible for your health, your home, and your time – and be accountable every day. You will love the results!
Become a Member Now – Subscribe to the Marilu.com Members Area!

Spring means cleaning, right? But really, cleaning’s not so bad. It’s the stuff that’s the problem – putting away all the good stuff, throwing out all the useless stuff, and having too much stuff. Take this class, learn to deal with all the stuff of daily living, and your house will be pretty easy to clean.

Do you want to fit more in your day? We all have the same 24 hours each day. How can you squeeze in another appointment, more phone calls, all the errands, and maybe a movie (not to mention time with your honey)? Take this class, learn to organize your time, and your life will be less stressful.

Is your life too busy, too crazy, too chaotic – to focus on YOU? That’s what our “Dear Diary” is for. By faithfully posting a “diary” entry each day of class, and participating in our daily activities, you’ll stay focused on your health, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Take this class, learn to make your health a daily priority, and your body will love you for it!

Get organized – get focused – Get It Together! Total health includes setting up your environment so you can achieve all your goals for diet, exercise, and healthy living.

Spend ten days with us in a unique ten-day internet-based program here at Marilu.com that we call an Online Class. On our private Members-only message board, you’ll be coached by JanB and SusanMik, both experienced coaches with the Total Health Makeover®. You’ll chat live with Marilu Henner in our private chat room, and she’ll be writing in her Diary right along with us. You’ll have daily assignments emailed to you to help you Get It Together in your life!

Classes at Marilu.com are free to all Members. Not a Member? Join today! Only $9.95 a month – for recipes, tips, and personal coaching to help you meet your goals.

Marilu Henner’s Total Health Makeover® is a proven program that WORKS for so many people. Enjoy weight loss – increased energy and stamina – improved digestion – better skin – more restful sleep – a sense of balance in your body and in your life – even organized closets! Health is a “total picture” and this program addresses the total YOU.

The Members Area at Marilu.com is an interactive component to the Total Health Makeover®. With online support – daily emails, recipes and resources, an active community of members, and unique online classes each month like “Dear Diary” – you’ll get the motivation and encouragement to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle and reach your weight loss and wellness goals! Get It Together in time for bikini season!

There’s nothing like it – try it for yourself. Get started today!

Get Started Now – Join the Members Area today!

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

Image by Patrick Wormsley

This exercise works your shoulders, biceps, butt, and thighs. Get beautiful, baby!

Squat with your back against a wall – like you’re sitting in an “air chair.” Keep your feet hip-distance apart, thighs almost parallel to the floor (hips can be a bit higher than knees), and a weight in each hand. Arms are at your sides, palms toward each other.

Keep your head, shoulders, and back against the wall as you curl one of the weights up. Bring your hand up to your shoulder, keeping the palm facing in. Lower the weight, and repeat the curl on the other side for one rep. Do 12 reps.

Marilu.com member Furlara shares her secrets for having more energy. These are tried-and-true strategies that work independently of each other, but together make a huge difference in way you feel. We dare you to try this yourself.

Sleep: I don’t get enough. But I find that I have great energy if I go to bed and rise at the same time every day. If I gravitate an hour outside of the range, I can feel the difference. So give it a try. Whether you get 6, 7, or 8 hours of sleep a night, make sure that you go to bed and get up about the same time. One day a week, also go to bed one solid hour earlier than normal (sleeping in an extra hour doesn’t give you more energy, but going to bed one hour earlier does). Don’t oversleep on the weekends and go to bed or get up outside of the range to any significant extent. Consistency is key. Quality over quantity is important too.

Water: For days in a row, drink at least 32 oz of pure water (if not more). If you consume coffee or tea, drink more. If you do well with water one day but not another, it can affect your energy. Keep it consistent for days in a row and see what happens.

Vitamins: I take a multivitamin and fish oil. And I started taking a probiotic supplement two months ago.

Breaks: If you work, take a break every 90 minutes. Studies show that you lose focus and deplete energy at about the 90-minute mark. You just need a 5-minute break to walk around, stretch, eat a healthy snack, read something inspirational, sit in silence, talk to someone, or walk a lap. Surfing the internet does not count. Get away from all electronic devices. If you purposely take 3-5 minute breaks every 90 minutes, you will notice a difference in your energy level.

Food: Make sure that you are having at least one serving of complex carbs per day. Bread doesn’t count. Have brown rice, oatmeal or any substantial grain at least once a day.

Exercise: It is important, but the tips above will work even if you don’t exercise on a given day.

Mental: If you are depressed, overwhelmed or consumed with anything mental, get it out. Try to journal for 5 minutes a day or at least every few days. It makes a big difference in your outlook. Carrying around mental baggage in your head is draining. Put it on paper to gain perspective and to have more mental energy.