Alright, this is a stretch for “green” – but we enjoy a little Green River Ordinance, so that’s what you get for “get-moving” music day.
Come on.
If you want to make it right, we can make it right.
What do you want to make right? Your job? Your weight? Your shape? Your relationships? How you feel in your body? Do you want more energy? More joie de vivre?
Here at Marilu.com, we’re all about TOTAL health. We believe, and Marilu says, “everything is connected to everything.” What you eat is connected to how you feel, how you move, how much energy you have to face the day. All those things are also connected to how you perform at work and how you feel about your job, and how you relate to other people – the ones you care about and the ones who are essentially strangers.
We delve into these connections each month in our online classes. Join Marilu.com and get the classes included at no extra charge, and no extra effort.
Come on – if you want to make it right, we can make it right.
Start now by getting up and moving to the music.
The Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko, San Francisco is hosting the 2nd Anniversary Gala & Benefit for Haiti Relief / American Red Cross on Wednesday, March 17, 8 PM.
This is a special night to celebrate the premier nightclub of the West coast with a star-studded lineup including: Marilu Henner, Lucie Arnaz, Stefanie Powers, Paula West, Valarie Pettiford, Linda Purl, Wesla Whitfield & Mike Greensill, Sarah Dash, Edna Wright & Honey Cone, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, Kim Nalley and more!
On this Monday morning, let’s spring ahead, get a fresh start, and all that. Starting the day with a fruit smoothie will help you feel energized and a little bit righteous.
We have two options for you here. The first is an all-fruit smoothie, very simple and basic. The second is a green smoothie, for added nutrients. If you don’t have the exact ingredients, feel free to substitute fruits that you have available (for example, the second smoothie is great with banana instead of the apple). If you like your smoothies a little thin, add a little more water. If you like them thick, use a little less water.
If you have trouble with blood-sugar and think you can’t tolerate fruit smoothies, either of these may work for you. The first because the water and ice add volume without adding sugar. The second because of the added greens and flax seed. If it’s still difficult for you to eat only fruit, have 1/4 cup of raw nuts (almonds or walnuts) on the side. The added fat and protein in the nuts will slow the absorption of the natural fruit sugars in your body.
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Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie Purple * Serves 1
Blend together:
1/2 cup fresh strawberries (or frozen, no syrup), halved or chopped
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, cut in chunks
1/2 cup ice
1 cup water
Pear, Apple and Kale Smoothie Purple * Serves 1
Blend together:
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 an apple, cored
1 clementine
1 cup water
1 whole pear, cored
1/3 cup fresh pineapple (optional)
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed
1 handful of baby spinach
1 handful of kale, leaves pulled from stems
No, don’t go looking for something to be jealous of.
Go outside. Spring is almost here. There’s probably something green outside, even if it’s a small patch of grass under the melting snow. Perhaps the crocuses are coming up in your yard, or maybe the buds are coming out on the trees in your neighborhood.
The important thing is to go outside. Take a walk. Open your eyes. Look around and see what’s coming this spring.
Enjoy a little nature. Breathe some fresh air.
Move your body, open your senses, calm your mind, center your spirit.
Broccoli has significant anticancer properties, lots of fiber, and is loaded with nutrients.
Raw broccoli is best when its in season – otherwise it can taste kind of bitter. But fresh broccoli, properly prepared, is delicious. It should be bright green and crisp-tender. If you like your veggies a little softer, by all means cook it a little longer, but watch it, because it should still be bright green. Somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes in a steamer will satisfy almost every palate.
If your broccoli has leaves on the stem, pull them off and add them to the steamer. Chop off the florets and cut them to uniform size, then add them to the steamer. Trim off the bottom end of the stalk, peel it with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, and then slice it, and add the slices to the steamer, too. (Yes, eat the stalk! Kids with texture issues may like eating the stalk better than the florets.)
For adult palates, a spritz of olive oil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes makes broccoli special. For kids, a simple pat of non-dairy margarine is good. Or try a small spoonful of non-dairy ranch dip over the top.
Eat broccoli twice a week to get great health benefits.
If you want a fit, toned body, get up early to exercise.
Try an early morning boot camp class.
Run or walk with a friend.
Get to the gym or fitness center before work (hey, they have showers, and you’ll free up the bathroom at home for someone else).
You’ll start your day by boosting your metabolism, you’ll have more energy through the day, you’ll be motivated to fuel your body with healthy foods – and your evenings will be free for friends and family.
The Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko, San Francisco is hosting the 2nd Anniversary Gala & Benefit for Haiti Relief / American Red Cross on Wednesday, March 17, 8 PM.
This is a special night to celebrate the premier nightclub of the West coast with a star-studded lineup including: Marilu Henner, Lucie Arnaz, Stefanie Powers, Paula West, Valarie Pettiford, Linda Purl, Wesla Whitfield & Mike Greensill, Sarah Dash, Edna Wright & Honey Cone, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, Kim Nalley and more!
Stop by next Tuesday, March 16 at 1 PM Eastern/10 AM Pacific for another chat with Marilu. These chats are a collaboration between Marilu.com and PCRM’s 21-day Vegan Kickstart program.
One thing we don’t pay enough attention to is indoor air quality. Are there improvements you can make?
Add houseplants * Many common houseplants help filter indoor air quality. Try philodendron, dracaena, English ivy, spider plant, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo, and snake plant – all recommended by NASA.
Reduce plastics * Swap your plastic shower curtain liner for a fabric one (you can wash it, too!).
Change air fresheners * Stop using commercial sprays and plug-ins (really – that’s wasting electricity, too). Google “essential oil air fresheners” to find recipes for making your own. Bonus – you’ll always have the scent you want. And don’t forget to open the windows. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Ban the dry cleaning * When you bring home dry cleaning, take the clothes out of the bag and hang them in the garage overnight. Then bring the clothes in. The solvents used in dry cleaning are toxic, and have no place in your home. Search out a dry cleaner that uses non-toxic materials, too.
