2 Tablespoons diced chiles (fresh or canned…fresh will give you more heat)

1/2 cup salsa

3 chopped green oions (+2 more for garnish)

1/4 cup fresh cilantro (+1/4 cup more for garnish)

1 (15 ounce) can black beans

1 (11 ounce) can corn

8 ounces enchilada sauce

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and set on low for 3 hours or until heated through and the flavors have blended.   (This can also be made on the stove top on a low setting.)  For the last hour of cooking time prepare your favorite corn bread recipe and dollop on top of the casserole.  Sprinkle with cheddar style non dairy cheese. 

When bread is cooked through serve the casserole with the reserved green onions,  and cilantro, non dairy sour cream and salsa.  Add a side salad to complete the meal.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

 -Mark Twain

Tune in to TLC to catch Marilu’s new show HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH !!   

If you were in chat with Marilu a few weeks ago this is the news you’ve been waiting for.  Her new show airs at 8:30 a.m. in some markets.  Check your local listings to find when it’s on in your area.  This is one of those times when watching television is good for your health !  Can’t wait to catch up on the discussion after the show!

Here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes of Marilu’s new show;  Here’s To Your Health !

http://ko-marproductions.blogspot.com/2011/10/making-of-national-show-heres-to-your.html

Thanks to K0-Mar productions for posting this.  It’s fun to see what goes into the making of the show. 

Keep in mind that we’ll be posting information about when and where Marilu will be filming.  In the meantime you can catch the show beginning on Saturday the 29th (Tomorrow !) at 8:30 a.m.

Kale is one of the most nutrient rich foods available to us.  Not only is it readily available in most supermarkets but it’s versatile and “congenial”; mixing well in salads, main dishes, holding it’s own as a side dish, and adding power to your smoothies and salad dressings.  A serving of kale contains antioxidants like lutein and zeazanthin to protect the eye as well as  a day’s worth of vitamin C and Vitamin K, which is so important to bone health.  Studies suggest that people who have a diet rich in Vitamin K are at significantly lower risk for bone fracture.  And a full serving of cooked kale holds only 36 calories.  Every one of those calories is packed with nutrition AND flavor! 

Visit the boards and tell us where kale is making an appearance on your menu!

Have you thought about merging your passion with your livelihood?  Many of our coaches and members are doing just that.  Some are personal trainers, others are chefs and teachers, showing others how to set a healthy table.  Many work, either for a salary or as volunteers, with animal rights groups.  VegNews recently published a list of  employment opportunities for people who want to be involved in healthy, cruelty free pursuits.  Of course these are not local to most of you so we share them as food for thought.  Could you be involved in spreading the word, either by backing an animal friendly lifestyle if that’s where your conscience leads you, or in helping a friend to get healthy if that’s where your burden lies?

If you’re already involved in giving back let us know that. 

And stay connected to find out more in the coming days about how our coaches walk the walk !

http://www.vegnews.com/web/veg/jobs.do

Living with GUSTO is about more than what you put in your body.  It’s also about attitude and style.   You’re presenting yourself to the world every day !

Just for fun we’re sharing a picture tutorial on jeans for fall.  Not “mom jeans”.  Fun, sexy, show off your best you, jeans ! 

Wardrobe can make or break a character!

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/live-your-best-life/staticslideshowlucky.aspx?cp-documentid=21182593

In the interest of knowing what’s going into your food we’re sharing this article from Reuters.  Not everyone will be surprised by this information but everyone will be able to learn something from it.  This community is here to help people make the best choices.  We’re not about adhering to any principles 100% of the time.  The pursuit of perfection can be deadly.  But know all you can in order to make the best choices for you.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFS1E78B1YM20110912

White Bean Vegetable Soup

  4 cups water

1 15-oz. can of white beans, drained and rinsed 

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 carrot, sliced

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1/4 cup frozen corn kernels

1/4 cup frozen peas

2 gluten-free vegetable bouillon cubes, crumbled

1 teaspoon sea salt

 1 tablespoon tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)

Handful fresh parsley, chopped

dash of dried oregano

dash of dried basil  

Place all ingredients in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

“AN EARLY MORNING WALK IS A BLESSING FOR THE WHOLE DAY”

Henry David Thoreau