We bet you’ve seen this label on some of your groceries. Do you know what it means? Here’s a quick summary to help you understand just what to expect when you see this certification.
The Fair Trade Certified stamp comes from TransFair USA, a nonprofit organization that certifies fair-trade products using the standards established and enforced by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO)—a global network of 20 labeling initiatives.
If you see this certification, you can expect:
Community investment to build better lives * farmers and farm workers from 58 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America receive community-development premiums to be invested in projects such as health care, education, and organic certification.
Better work conditions * farmers and workers work in fair and safe labor conditions, use environmentally sustainable methods, and partake in direct trade.
Accountability * TransFair USA is the leading third-party fair-trade certifier of food goods in the United States.
Where you’ll see the Fair Trade Certified stamp: coffee, tea, herbs, cocoa and chocolate, fresh fruit, sugar, rice, flowers, honey, spices, and wine
One of the concepts of the Total Health Makeover® is that eating mostly “wet” foods at a meal will improve your digestion and help you with weight loss. Fill 2/3 of your (9″ or 10″) plate with wet foods, and the other 1/3 with concentrated foods for a healthy meal.
So what are wet foods?
Foods that are high in water content – either naturally, or by the way they were prepared – are “wet.”
Most fruits are wet foods.
Many vegetables are wet foods, especially when they’re steamed.
Some prepared foods, like soup and smoothies, are wet foods.
Okay, so what are concentrated foods?
Foods that have a greater density (remember high school science class? density is basically cramming more molecules in the same space) are harder to break down. We call them “concentrated” foods. There’s nothing wrong with eating concentrated foods – in fact, they offer wonderful nutritional benefits. Just don’t fill up on them. You already know how that makes you feel – it’s basically the traditional Thanksgiving dinner feeling of Too.Much. and It’s.Not.Moving.
Animal protein is a concentrated food.
Starches (grains, starchy veggies like potatoes) are concentrated foods.
Legumes (beans) are concentrated foods.
Nuts and seeds are concentrated foods.
Dried fruits are concentrated. You know, because they took out the water.
Remember – 2/3 wet and 1/3 concentrated foods. It’s easy if you serve a green salad and a side or two of veggies with your concentrated food entree. Your digestion will thank you. And so will the scale.
Sometimes we just say “get up and dance” when we give you music for your workout. Because dancing is FUN. Dancing lets you get all emotional in a physical way. Dancing is for everyone. Some dancing has rules, but most of us dance just fine without them.
Patrick Swayze was a good actor, but that was (in our opinion) because he was first a great dancer. He will be missed.
Here’s one for you, Patrick. Thanks for sharing your passion with us. Thanks for showing us that everyone can dance.
Marilu is scheduled to speak about the Child Nutrition Act sometime around 1:30 PM (subject to change).
Marilu’s son Nicky will be singing with TGA (Theater Geeks of America) at 2:30 PM on the main stage.
There will be lots of great information, food, crafts, and all kinds of things for kids especially. We’ll keep you posted on any changes, and further details.
We’re in a harvest season – the perfect time to take advantage of all the produce at the farmer’s market, where you can buy local and save money, too!
This recipe makes a great main course for veggies and vegans. It also becomes the perfect side dish in a protein meal, and it can be adapted to add pasta for a more “man-friendly” main course.
Farmer’s Market Spaghetti Squash Purple as veggies only; Blue with pasta * serves 4-6
1 large Spaghetti Squash, roasted (procedure follows)
1 can (29 oz) organic tomato sauce
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped
1 head broccoli florets
1 green (or any color) pepper, chopped into large dice
1 pint mushrooms, sliced
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons fresh oregano or 1 Tablespoon dried
3 large leaves fresh basil sliced in chiffonade or 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
non-dairy parmesan (or nutritional yeast) to taste
Saute onion and garlic in 1 Tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add the sauce from the can as soon as the onion and garlic are translucent but before the garlic can brown. Add to this the bay leaf, the oregano and the basil. Simmer on low for 20 to 30 minutes.
Add the broccoli, mushrooms and peppers. Simmer another 10 -15 minutes, but no longer than that. The idea is to keep crunch and texture in the vegetables. (They won’t be raw but you don’t want them cooked down to the point of being soft either.)
Use a fork to pull the strands away from the shell scoop the squash onto a serving platter.* Ladle the sauce down the center of the squash and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with soy or rice parmesan on the side.
*If using pasta as well: Prepare 1 pound whole wheat or whole spelt spaghetti according to package directions. Using two forks, mix prepared pasta with prepared spaghetti squash strands, so that the pasta and squash are completely intermingled.
To prepare the squash:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash the outside of the squash well. Lay whole squash on a shallow pan and allow to bake for 20 minutes until skin is softened and allows for easy piercing with a fork. Remove the squash and slice in half lengthwise. Remove and discard seeds.
Lightly grease pan and replace squash halves, cut side down. Return to oven for an additional 20 minutes or until the sides are quite soft. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing the squash from its shell to the serving platter.
We bet you’ve seen this label on some of your groceries. Do you know what it means? Here’s a quick summary to help you understand just what to expect when you see this certification.
No GMOs * the use of GMOs, most conventional pesticides and herbicides, sewage sludge, antibiotics, growth hormones, and irradiation are all prohibited.
A 3-year process to crop certification * organic producers record procedures and maintain cropland free of prohibited substances for three years before earning the seal, which varies in price based on the certifier.
Percentages * the seal is permitted on commodities that are 100 percent organic or made with at least 95 percent organic ingredients. The USDA’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances identifies synthetic substances that may be used and nonsynthetic substances that cannot be used in organic production and handling operations.
Organic feed for livestock * For meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs to be USDA Certified Organic, animals must have been fed 100 percent organic feed; never given growth hormones or antibiotics; and not have been routinely confined. However, the NOP does not police animal treatment. Cloned animals or their offspring also cannot qualify for the seal.
Where you’ll see USDA Organic: produce, dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, organic body care products comprised of plant ingredients, wine, and processed or packaged foods
The Two Jills are coaching the BOOTY School class now in session. You can still join the class and get great results like weight loss, clear skin, bright eyes, and toned muscles. The Jills have a great approach, with lots of humor and fun. They also provide personal feedback each day.
Here’s The Two Jills’ theme song – just as crazy as they are.
Be sure to get up and move when you click the green arrow. Don’t waste the music!
Oh! we ain’t got a barrel of money
Maybe we’re ragged and funny
But we’ll travel along
Singing a song
Side by side
I don’t know what’s a-comin’ tomorrow
Maybe it’s trouble and sorrow
But we’ll travel the road
Sharing our load
Side by side
Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall
Just as long as we’re together
It really doesn’t matter at all
When they’ve all had their quarrels and parted
We’ll be the same as we started
Just traveling along
Singing a song
Side by side
See that sun in the mornin’
Peekin’ over the hill
I’ll bet you sure, it always has
And it always will
Well, that’s how I feel about someone
And somebody feels about me
We’re sure in love with each other
And that’s the way it’s gonna be
Plan a recycle party with your friends. Have everyone bring things they don’t use anymore – but are in good condition – and then trade! You’ll save money and still get to enjoy new-to-you things.
What to recycle? Pretty much anything you don’t use is fair game. You can stick with a theme – like having the moms in your playgroup exchange toys, or having your card club exchange books and movies – or you can open it up to everything.
Clothes
Beauty products * shampoo, conditioner, lotion, nail polish, shower gel, bath oil, fragrance (note: don’t share makeup – the germ factor is pretty high)
We’ve noticed a bit of a trend here at Marilu.com.
People seem to have a weekday routine and a weekend routine for exercise. Weekday exercisers don’t seem to want to do much exercise on the weekends. And weekend warrior exercisers seem to be desk-potatoes or couch-potatoes during the week. Well… that should change.
Keep moving all 7 days of the week. Even if you’re choosing different movement – one last swim at the beach, a long hike in the woods, a bike ride with the kids – it’s good. Never underestimate the fun side of dancing as exercise. Just break a sweat, and keep moving until 10 minutes are up.
We bet you’ve seen this label on some of your groceries. Do you know what it means? Here’s a quick summary to help you understand just what to expect when you see this certification.
Sometimes we just say “get up and dance” when we give you music for your workout. Because dancing is FUN. Dancing lets you get all emotional in a physical way. Dancing is for everyone. Some dancing has rules, but most of us dance just fine without them. 
We bet you’ve seen this label on some of your groceries. Do you know what it means? Here’s a quick summary to help you understand just what to expect when you see this certification.
