Hey – is that you?
Could you have had it all?
Did you choose to have less than your heart desires? Less than you deserve?
You could have had it all. And when it comes to your health, you still have a chance to improve it. You may be living with a chronic illness or a common cold, but either way (or anything in between), you can be healthier tomorrow than you are today.
It all comes down to your daily choices. There are so many factors in your control when it comes to health. Take advantage of that, and choose the healthy option – whether that’s a positive attitude, daily exercise, an extra vegetable at your meal, or skipping the coffee for a big glass of water.
Now get up and enjoy the next few minutes while you get moving. The beat of this song encourages bold movements, like kickboxing or squats. Whatever movement you choose, get into it.
Are you getting tired of the same old side dishes? Try this one for something new and different. Brussels sprouts often get a bad rap, but really, they’re delicious if properly prepared. They can stand up to bold flavors, so the vinegar-glazed onions are a great partner.
This side dish is also good for holiday meals.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Brussels Sprouts with Vinegar-Glazed Onions Blue * Serves 4
1 basket Brussels sprouts (about 10 ounces)
salt
1 Tablespoon non-dairy margarine
1 Tablespoon olive oil
freshly ground black pepper
1 small red onion
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Trim the outer leaves and stems from the Brussels sprouts and discard. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add Brussels sprouts and cook until tender but stlll bright green, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and plunge into a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well and cut in half lengthwise.
Heat 1/2 Tablespoon margarine and 1/2 Tablespoon oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add Brussels sprouts and cook, tossing occasionally, until they are brown and crisp on the edges, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt adn pepper and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm.
Cut the onion in half lengthwise (“pole cut”); then cut each half lengthwise in thin slices. Add the remaining margarine and oil to the pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and transparent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the vinegar (stand back to avoid the fumes), and stir to loosen any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until vinegar is reduced and onions are glazed, about 30 seconds.
Add the onions to the Brussels sprouts and toss well. Serve immediately.
We’ve all heard that, and it makes sense, in a literal way. The food we consume becomes a part of us as it breaks down and feeds our cells.
But there’s more. You are also what you think.
In the course of a year, almost all of your cells are replaced (you’re a whole new person every year!). Think of the cells that are created in times of sadness, depression, or anger. According to ayurvedic medicine, the energy from those emotions becomes part of who you are. In the same way, cells that are created in times of joy, creativity, or celebration also become part of who you are. The belief affects your health.
Today, focus on being joyful, confident, and full of hope – and let today’s cells bring those qualities to your future.
We recently saw an excellent example of living with gusto, and we had to share it here. Gusto is a certain attitude, a certain way of going through your day, a way of being in the moment and taking charge of that moment.
This video was taken at a Jason Mraz (“Lucky,” “I’m Yours”) concert in Fortaleza, Brazil earlier this month. The video starts near the end of the song, when he goes to the side of the stage and invites a young woman from the audience to dance with him.
Now most of us would probably be a bit embarrassed to dance with a musician to one of his songs on his stage, but not Isabel. She went for it! She’s having a blast, getting into the music and the dance, and then… every so often, you can see it in her eyes… she is totally aware that this could be embarrassing, but nope! Not going there, she’s back in the moment. It’s also obvious that Jason Mraz enjoys her total commitment to having fun with him.
Just think – Isabel could have missed out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But she went for it, and had a blast, and a memory (now preserved on the internet forever) she’ll never forget. And seeing her joy? Neither will we.
Marilu will be teaching The Role of Your Life workshop at the world-renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health the weekend of July 1-4, 2011 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Treat yourself to an amazing health retreat and take the intensive Role of Your Life 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.
Sign up for a community 5K, 10K or triathlon. It’s that time of year to get signed up and start training!
You don’t have to be an iron man (or woman) to join a community race – you just need spirit and some determination! In fact, we know of a woman who conquered her fear of swimming by signing up for a triathlon… and then completing it. Now that’s determination.
Many of these events are part of community celebrations, so there are lots of participants who just want to have fun. If you fall in that category (yay! finisher! instead of yay! winner!), then join them! Have some fun! And maybe you’ll even get a t-shirt!
Read a section of the newspaper you don’t usually read. If you never look at the sports section or the financial section, give it a shot. You might learn something useful.
If you read the news online, check out a different news source. Look at a different newspaper online (Wall Street Journal or New York Times or London Financial Times), or check out a different news agency (CNN or MSNBC or NPR or BBC).
Online blogs can also be a great source of news, as long as you remember that most blogs are opinion pieces, and not intended to be hard news.
Four 6- to 8-ounce salmon steaks or fillet, rinsed and dried
20 asparagus stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 cherry tomatoes
12 Kalamata olives, pitted and cut in half
4 Tablespoons olive oil for drizzling
6 basil leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Preheat oven to 375F.
In a large baking dish place salmon, asparagus, tomatoes, and olives. Drizzle with olive oil and top with basil. Sprinkle with a little salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes, checking the center of salmon to your preferred doneness.
It really is possible to quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight. Here are some things you can do *
One thing at a time * Quitting smoking is enough of a challenge. Don’t try to diet at the same time. Instead, choose healthy foods, and eat actual meals, and watch your portion size.
Keep a food diary * Write down what you eat every day, when you eat it, and how much you eat. It will help you avoid over-eating.
Reward yourself * Spend the money you’ve saved on cigarettes on something special for yourself – but not food. Jewelry, a massage, a new outfit, a magazine subscription you’ve been wanting, tickets to a play – anything (but food) that makes you feel special.
Get moving * Yes, we say it a lot, but it helps with not smoking. Exercise increases your metabolic rate, too, helping with weight maintenance. And it’s really good for your heart and lungs as they start to repair from the damage of smoking.
Nicotine replacement * Check with your health care provider to see whether replacement therapies might work for you. After ending these therapies, be prepared to focus more on weight management.
Eat smart * When you feel the urge to smoke, it will probably be between meals. Choose foods that are low in calories and fat but high in density (fiber and complex carbs), so you feel full without eating too much. Fresh fruit, raw veggies, and popcorn all fit. Skip all the processed snack foods and chemical-laden beverages. Drink water.
Skip alcohol * It’s full of calories, but contains no nutrients, so it’s not doing you any favors in the weight maintenance department. Most smokers associate drinking with smoking, so the desire to smoke may be higher. And finally, alcohol affects your decision-making ability – you may not be able to stick to your goals. Why put yourself in a situation where you’re likely to relapse?
Stay busy * Changing the behaviors you associate with smoking can be really difficult. Don’t hang around the table after you eat – clean up the kitchen and then get started on a project. Find something you can do with your hands while you’re on the phone – like cleaning out the silverware drawer, or your inbox at work. Start knitting or woodworking or some other hobby that uses your hands. If they’re busy, they won’t be looking to hold a cigarette.
