The events of eight years ago impacted the Marilu.com community for months. On that day, we waited on the message boards for reports from our friends in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania – and from our friends who were flight attendants. Some were able to check in with us that day – some posted asking for prayers for their loved ones – some were able to tell their stories – some were looking for reassurance.
The community at Marilu.com is pretty tight, and pretty amazing. We knew that before September 11, but it was really evident on that day and in the weeks that followed. Most of us joined this site to get support in our efforts to lose weight and get healthy. What we found is a community dedicated to healthy living in every dimension.
Our response to September 11 was to make quilt squares, which several members volunteered to join into quilts. Quilts, after all, are a way to wrap someone in your love. We had our families, scout troops, classrooms, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and just about everyone making quilt squares. We had lots of love to share. We ended up making 48 quilts, which were donated to families of flight attendants and fire fighters.
Made by Seattle 3rd graders
Made by Mary Kay representatives for one of the flight attendants’ families
(coordinated by a member who was also a Mary Kay representative)
On 9-11 my faith in humankind was destroyed. Darkness had invaded my world and I knew at that moment it would never be light again.
The compassion and generosity of complete strangers who are praying for my family and “wrapping them in love” has restored my faith in people and given me hope.
~ mother of a firefighter, and recipient of one of the quilts
Pretty cool for a bunch of people who thought they were just trying to lose weight.
Healthy living is about so much more than losing weight. Live with love and compassion, and enjoy the gifts of each new day. Start now.
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
1 pound cabbage, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
1/2 pound red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
3 medium carrots, finely shredded (about 1-1/2 cups)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup thinly sliced kale
In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, ginger, salt, and jalapeño peppers until well blended. Add the remaining ingredients and toss well. Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour before serving.
Notes on handling hot peppers:
The heat of the peppers is concentrated in the seeds and ribs of the pepper. To reduce the heat in the recipe, cut out the ribs and remove the seeds. If you prefer more heat, use the seeds and don’t worry about the ribs.
To protect your hands (and whatever you touch after cutting a hot pepper), wear rubber gloves, and use an acrylic cutting board when cutting hot peppers (the heat will transfer to the next item on a wooden cutting board). Keep the gloves on to wash the knife and cutting board in very hot soapy water, and rinse them with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 4 parts water). Wash your hands in hot soapy water after removing the gloves.
BOOTY Schoolers: Get those 5-minute fitness challenges done today!
One of our favorites? Hula hoop-ing! A hula hoop is inexpensive, and seriously five minutes? Feels like a lifetime of abdominal and core work. At least to start. It only takes a week to get really good.
Doesn’t the new school year always feel a bit like New Year’s Day? It’s another chance at a fresh start. Another chance to get your footing and have a schedule, and be organized and efficient, and to have that routine that spells success in every area of your life.
Okay, that’s what it feels like to us.
What we’ve learned, though, is that getting to that place of organization and efficiency requires a lot of discipline.
Like bedtime. It has to be early – for everyone – as you adjust to a new schedule.
And taking time in the evening to prepare for the morning rush. That includes thinking about clothes, breakfast, lunch, papers/homework, uniforms (laundry!), instruments, projects, and who-knows-what-else – for everyone – the night before.
Routines only feel rigid while we’re getting accustomed to them.
Once they’re actually routines, we find them to be quite liberating. Go ahead. Set some new groundrules. Establish a new routine. It’s your new year. Your new start.
Oh, and to help you get control of the food portion of this new routine – not to mention helping you maintain your own balance and sanity – we have the BOOTY School B.L.A.S.T. class starting tomorrow. When your life is in balance, the whole household runs better. Treat yourself.
Continue drinking water, breaking that sweat, eating 5 fruits/veggies each day, and avoiding sugar.
Enjoy fish or poultry (no skin) instead of red meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.). If you already eat a lot of fish and poultry, try a vegetarian meal.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Not forever (unless that’s the best idea for you). Just for now. You can do it.
Give yourself a good full-body exfoliation. Use a dry skin brush (described here) or use a sudsy washcloth or scrubbie in the shower.
BOOTY School starts Wednesday! Don’t miss out – sign up now!
Recipes – including vegan recipes and family-friendly recipes
Mini-meal plan for your weight loss success
Fitness challenges
Healthy living challenges
Chat with Marilu
Stay accountable and earn gold stars by doing your “homework” each day
A last-minute holiday menu suggestion – and also an easy meal for the work week or for a busy weekend! Serve with a big tossed salad, or a plate of raw veggies.
Tuna Burgers Green * Serves 4
3 Tablespoons plus 1/4 cup Vegenaise
1 Tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 egg white
2 6-ounce cans albacore tuna, packed in water, drained and flaked
1/2 cup bread crumbs, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped organic Spanish onion
4 whole-grain hamburger buns, split
4 organic lettuce leaves
4 slices organic tomato
4 thin slices organic red onion
In a medium bowl, combine 3 Tablespoons Vegenaise, mustard, and egg white. Stir well. Add the tuna, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, and the finely chopped onion, and mix well to combine. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into a 4″ patty.
To cook on the stovetop:
Press the remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs evenly onto both sides of each patty. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat until the pan is hot. Add the patties, cover, and cook 3 minutes. Carefully flip the patties and cook 3-4 minutes more, or until golden brown.
To grill:
Do not use the remaining bread crumbs. Instead, brush with olive oil and grill on high heat 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the desired doneness is attained.
To serve:
Spread the remaining 1/4 cup Vegenaise on the buns, add lettuce, tomato, and red onion, top with tuna burger and serve.
It may be a holiday, but it’s not a day off from fitness.
Get everyone involved. Play volleyball, basketball, disc golf, touch football – whatever activity gets everyone going. Form teams, have playoffs, give simple prizes.
The bell is ringing through the halls – don’t be late for BOOTY School!