Whether you’re rooting for your favorite professional team, or your favorite pee-wee player, chances are you’ll find yourself at a tailgate party this fall.   You don’t have to sacrifice your health goals to have a great time.  Here are a few simple ideas to keep the party goind AND keep your energy levels high.  Please log onto the message boards and add your own ideas!

- Order a veggie sub with oil and vinegar.  Cutting out the meat and the mayo will cut calories and  help with food combining.

- Read the package before you buy chips.  Many corn chips are made without artificial ingredients.  Pair them with homemade salsa instead of cheesy dip.

- Veggie platters have as much crunch as chips and also contain nutritional value.

- Vegan chili is as warm and hearty as it’s meaty counterpart but won’t weigh you down. 

- Toss a veggie burger or portobella mushroom on the grill.  Think chicken or veggies when skewering on the grill.

- If you’re eating animal protein bring along some hummus or bean dip to help digest a miscombined meal.

- Keep in mind that even “lite” beer will contain 60 to 100 calories and has dehydrating effects so be sure to have two glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage.  Consider showing your team spirit with a big water bottle with your team logo.

We’re not assigning blame to anyone who is afflicted with this disease.  It’s important to note, however that most of the 366 million people afflicted suffer from  Type 2 diabetes (According to The International Diabetes Federation) which is linked to poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.

More and more a plant based diet is being recommended for those who want to take control of this deadly disease. 

Taking control of your health is easier now than ever before.  With support groups like this community you can talk to people, just like yourself who have reversed the course of this deadly disease and added vitality to their lives. 

Stay connected to learn how to make your life healthier and more vibrant.   Our members are living proof that you The Total Health Makeover WORKS !

With portions growing and obesity rates on the rise it’s encouraging to know that with a growing awareness positive changes are happening all over.  Hotels are reporting that many travelers are becoming more focused on their health goals while on the road. 

“Probably fitness equipment is the biggest request we get from guests,” said Vivian A. Deuschl of the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “It’s the biggest preoccupation of business travelers besides getting their work done, so we try to make fitness available on any basis they ask for.”

In room fitness options are available upon requests for guests who prefer not to work out in the hotel gym.

The Kimpton chain of boutique hotels has provided guests in-room 24-hour yoga channel classes and a basket of yoga gear since 2003, according to president and COO Niki Leondakis.

Leondakis believes the modern business traveler’s focus on wellness coincides with the aging of the baby boomers.

“Twenty years ago it was wine, dine and work, not about maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the road,” she said. “People today are looking at work/life balance in a more integrated way.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/13/hold-pillow-mint-send-yoga-mat/#ixzz1Yt36ESaW

We all know that having the courage of your convictions is a lot easier when you’re surrounded by others with the same convictions.  That’s how and why supportive communities like Marilu.com spring up.  Like minded people not only share ideas but cheer one another on towards our goals.

That’s a lot easier for adults than it is for kids.  If you have a school aged child who is vegetarian or vegan search out activities and organizations that will help appeal to them and show them that they are leading a pretty popular lifestyle.  VegNews has some interesting sites, blogs and newsletters that can help you find animal friendly activities in your area.

http://www.vegnews.com/web/articles/page.do?pageId=3630&catId=7

Doesn’t everyone deserve some great peer support?

Marilu’s new book, Total Memory Makeover is slated for release!    Read more about it here, and be sure to pre-order yours as soon as that option becomes available.  We’ll be keeping you updated on book signings, appearances and member chats with Marilu so be sure to check in for the latest information!

http://books.simonandschuster.com/buy/Total-Memory-Makeover/9781442348424/from-other-retailers

These delicious cakes are vegetarian but not vegan. (Note to vegans: substitute the eggs with whatever ingredient you prefer in pancakes.)  Paired with a salad these make a wonderful lunch or you could serve them alongside a protein dish.  If you’re food comibing be sure to add some legumes to your salad,  or as a side.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 large eggs

1 egg yolk

1/2 cup soy or almond milk

1 Tablespoon Canola oil

3/4 cup corn

2 green onions sliced

1/4 cup diced red pepper

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl.  Stir in eggs, yolk, almond milk and oil and stir with a wooden spoon until blended.  Sir in corn, green onions, red peppers and thyme.

Heat large fry pan and add oil.  When oil is hot ladle batter 1/4 cup at a time.  Cook 2 minutes, flip and cook until browned on both sides.

No we’re not talking about Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman.  (Okay we alluded to that but that was just to get your attention of course.)

The subject of memory is a hot topic here and we’re all anxious for Marilu’s next book.  With that in mind, on this Sunday be present and in the moment.  No one is more in the moment than Marilu.  Make that connection and take time to savor the day.

“The true art of memory is the art of attention.”

Samuel Johnson

Here at Marilu.com we believe that everyone should educate themselves and choose their lifestyle based on the best information out there.  Here’s something recently released by The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine regarding the U.S. Regulation of antimicrobials in agriculture.  Did you know that in 2009 approximatley 90 million pounds of antibiotics went to farm animals, and that 70 percent of that was administered subtherapeutically?

It makes you wonder how that affects your own reaction to antibiotics when you’re ingesting them through your late night snack or your Sunday brunch. 

We’re all responsible for our own decisions. Read the full article and have a little more knowledge on which to base yours.

http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/animal-agriculture-us-regulation-antimicrobials

Some weekends are too busy to get to the gym, especially if the gym is near your office, you’ve got company staying with you, or you’re out of town yourself.  In the spirit of “no excuses”,  here’s a suggestion for a 30 minute workout that uses no equipment and can be modified for all fitness levels.  If you’re a beginner start with two reps. ( Gym rats can do double the amount, add in more difficult exercises and repeat the workout later in the day.)

1. Warm up for eight minutes. Walk in place, play tag with your kids, dance around the room. Just move.

2. Do one minute of squats.

3. Do one minute of push ups. 

4. Do one minute of reverse  lunges.

5. Do one minute of modified chair dips.

6. Do two minutes of cardio. (Go back to that dancing, running in place, whatever.)

7. Do one minute of crunches.

8. Take a 30 second break.

Repeat steps 2 through 8, three times.

Really , how many old t-shirts do you need?  We all keep a few for painting or working in the yard and after that…well what do you do with the t-shirt from the concert you went to senior year in college, or the volunteer gig at that camp last summer?  We’ve all got something that we don’t want to throw out but it doesn’t look good enough to actually WEAR anyplace. 

Follow these easy directions to make a reusable market bag. (We “stumbled upon” them…quite literally)  It’s good for the environment and gives old tees a second life.  You can even use them to throw a lunch together or a change of clothes for those fall activities that last all day.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/4Yedis/honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-market-bag