Need another reason to eat less meat? How about antibiotic resistance?
The Food and Drug Administration is urging meat producers to limit the amount of antibiotics they give animals in response to public health concerns about the drugs.
The FDA said antibiotics in meat pose a “serious public health threat” because the drugs create antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can infect humans who eat it….
Of greater concern, the agency said, is when producers use antibiotics on healthy animals to speed growth and reduce feed costs. The agency is also concerned about antibiotics that are given continuously through feed or water to entire herds or flocks of animals.
Start your day with some positive thinking. This IS your day.
Your day to be your best.
Your day to contribute.
Your day to step it up.
Your day to make a positive change.
Your day to shine.
Get motivated with a little Shakira. We like to use this song for kickboxing – it makes us feel strong in body and mind. (But, you know, kicking a soccer ball around is good, too.)
Vegetarians have lower instances of depression, according to a new study in Nutrition Journal. Researchers looked at 60 vegetarians and 78 meat-eaters in the southwestern United States and found that vegetarians scored significantly better on standardized mood tests. The mood tests measured depression, anxiety, and stress and were compared to food frequency questionnaires.
Look for our exclusive Viva La Vegan! class here at Marilu.com – starts July 12! It’s your chance to try veganism in a supportive environment, with lots of coaching and recipes to try. Class is free to members. Not a member? Sign up here.
Did you know that your body is about 60 percent water by weight?
Some organs have an even higher percentage of water. Your brain? About 70 percent water. Your blood? Over 80 percent water. Your lungs? About 90 percent water.
Without adequate water intake, every system in your body slows down and becomes sluggish. It’s like those commercials for the oil that your car engine needs – when the engine oil gets sticky and gunky, your car breaks down. When your organs don’t get the water they need, they first start to take water from the less vital areas (like your skin, joints, bones, etc.) to supply the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Eventually, your whole body becomes inefficient and eventually breaks down.
How do you know you’re dehydrated?
First sign – thirst. Always drink water when you’re thirsty.
Other signs to look for –
headache
fatigue
confusion
loss of appetite
flushed skin
heat intolerance
light-headedness
dry mouth and eyes
lack of skin elasticity
stomach pains (can feel like hunger)
slower metabolism (leads to weight gain)
So drink water. We recommend half your weight in ounces each day, up to a maximum of 100 ounces per day. So if you weigh 200 pounds or more, drink 100 ounces of water a day. If you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water a day.
We had a little adventure with lightening and a subsequent power outage late on Saturday… and into Sunday. We missed Spirit Sunday!
It was definitely a “Plan B” night… and day.
Our Plan B was concentrated on making sure the food in the freezer stayed cold, and the electric company cleared the streets of power lines, and we weren’t going to blow a breaker when the power returned. We learned that it would be good to keep our cell phone fully charged, especially if there are storm warnings. So we missed Spirit Sunday here.
We trust you were able to have a great Spirit Sunday even without a post here (we did – we’re so grateful for all the people who made everything work again!).
Now – make sure you have some emergency plans in place. Whatever the summer storm situation is in your area – do you have what you need?
Are there batteries in the flashlight? Can you find it in the dark? (Don’t ask how we know to ask these questions.)
Do you have a radio that runs on batteries? Don’t depend on your cell phone’s internet connection to get you to weather.com – get an inexpensive radio and batteries, and keep it with your flashlight. (Yes, it’s on our shopping list for the week.)
When there’s a storm coming, make sure your phone is charged. If you are able to use it, you may need it for a long time.
You may still end up on Plan B – but you’ll be doing it in a safer place.
(And yes, we’re all fine, and the food stayed cold, and the power lines were all cleared. All is well.)
There’s nothing like a cold salad on a hot day. This one has refreshing Asian flavors. Soba noodles are common in Asian cuisine; you can find them in most grocery stores. They come in a few different varieties – this recipe uses mugwort, but feel free to use what’s available to you – they’re prepared like pasta. Another Asian noodle that could be substituted is udon.
If you don’t have carrots (or want a variety of veggies), try zucchini or yellow summer squash (peeled to make ribbons), or thin slivers of red or orange or yellow pepper, or even cucumber (peeled in ribbons).
To toast sesame seeds, heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in sesame seeds. Toss or stir them for a few minutes (don’t walk away!) until you start to smell them. Don’t let them burn. Pour directly onto a paper towel to help them stop cooking.
If you feel a need for protein, add edamame (shelled, boiled in salted water for 5 minutes and drained).
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Cold Soba, Sesame and Carrot Salad Blue * Serves 4
8 ounces mugwort soba
3 large carrots
1 bunch (about 6) scallions
2 Tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons soy sauce, or to taste
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
Cook the noodles for 6-8 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain and toss with just a drizzle of cooking oil to keep them from sticking together. Put in the refrigerator to cool.
Peel the carrots and shave with a peeler or mandoline. You should have about 2-3 cups of loose carrot ribbons. Chop the green parts of the scallions and set the white parts aside for another recipe.
Whisk the sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce together and taste. Adjust for taste. Toss the carrots, scallions, chilled noodles and sesame seeds together and serve.
Saturdays are often errand days. Are you prepared to be out and about all day?
Did you eat a good, healthy breakfast? It really is the most important meal of the day – you’re breaking a fast (of 10-12 hours), so the first fuel of the day should be something that really starts your engine.
Are you wearing clothes that make you look good, feel good, and can move comfortably in? When we look good, we feel better about everything. So don’t go out looking like something the cat dragged in. You can dress casually and comfortably in clothes that fit properly and are in a flattering color and style. Don’t forget shoes you can walk in – again, they should look good and feel good.
Do you know where you’re going and what you’re doing? Make a list. Grab the things you need (reusable shopping bags, library books, movies, a basket or wagon or whatever for the farmer’s market, an umbrella if it looks like rain, clothes for the dry cleaner, a cooler if you’ll be out all day (for groceries), etc.). Figure out an efficient route before you leave.
Are you stocked with water and maybe a snack? You don’t want to be tempted by a drive-through or mall food just because it’s in front of you. Stay hydrated by carrying your own water, and have a simple snack you can keep in your purse or bag. Trail mix, a healthy granola bar or power bar, an apple, some carrot sticks… you get the idea. This is especially important if you have kids with you. You will all have a better day if the kids are happy, and that includes not letting them get too hungry.
Do you have a plan for dinner tonight? After a day of running around, the last thing you want to think about is what’s for dinner, but (try as you might) you won’t be able to ignore it. Figure it out before you go. Pick up anything you’ll need (that’s groceries, not fast food) while you’re out.
Marilu is teaching The Role of Your Life workshop at the world-renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health the weekend of July 2-5, 2010. Yikes! Sign up now!
Treat yourself to an amazing health retreat and take the class with Marilu. There are also evening activities (a chanting concert and a salsa dance party are currently on the schedule for that weekend, as well as regular evening programs) and yoga classes for all experience levels. Oh, and the food is good, too. This is a great opportunity to experience one of the best health retreat centers in the world – with Marilu.
Register by calling 1-866-200-5203. Call now – it’s almost time!
