This comes just in time for the more extreme temperatures some of you are facing.  Beginning February 6th we’re launching another brand new class here at marilu.com.   We’re going to get hot and steamy in the kitchen.

Comfort doesn’t have to mean “cushion”.    One pot meals and soup recipes will fill the need for hearty fare and they’re also a great way to include lots of vegetables and wet foods in your diet. 

Think; Whole Foods for Total Health !

If you’re considering membership this would be a great time to check out the members area.  Please post any questions you may have about this, or any of our classes.

Don’t leave your family and friends behind when you embark on your health journey.  If you’ve got a household, or social network, that’s resistant to change try to identify why they aren’t receptive.

Are they afraid that they’ll be living on tofu and celery?  There are so many delicious meals, and recipes, right on this site, that are packed with flavor AND nutrition.

Are they worried that they’ll have to find time for a punishing work out every day?  Everyone has something that they enjoy.  Don’t make exercise a chore…find the fun. 

Are they tired of the lectures?  Be honest with yourself.  We can all be guilty of  being a little “hard hitting” when we’re excited.  Think about backing off and living as an example.  Let your gusto speak for itself. 

Join the conversation here at Marilu.com.  Many people have dealt with this situation successfully and would love to share what works.  Post questions and share tips.  We’re all getting healthy together.

The Total Health Makeover is a plan that enables you to live your life !!   It’s about TOTAL health and what’s healthier than sharing a meal with good friends?  Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle AND an active social calendar:

- Check out the restaurant’s menu on line and familiarize yourself with the dishes.

- Call ahead to ask about substitutions or to special order a vegetarian or vegan selection.  (This is surprisingly easy and especially helpful in banquet situations such as weddings and business functions.)

- Make no apologies.  Order what you want according to your own priorities.  It’s your life to live.

- In order to stay hydrated have two glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage.

- Ask for a take away container at the start of the meal.  Packing up half of an oversized serving will make you less tempted to finish it off .

- Check out the appetizers for healthy selections which, when paired with a salad, would be suitable as a meal.

- If there’s music hit the dance floor.  You’re not the only one there who hasn’t been professionally trained.  Move and have fun!

- Remember WHY you’re out.  You could always eat at home.  You’re there for the company so take your focus off the food and enjoy the conversation and the friendships.

Budgeting means different things to different people.  It’s not just about money. 

IT’S ABOUT PRIORITIES !

Are you budgeting your time and money with your health in mind?  

Are you spending your money in the produce aisle or in the pharmacy? 

Are you spending your time on the couch or on the move?

Take a look at your financial budget and your calendar and make at least one change today.  If you need a complete overhaul this is the first step.  If you’re already doing this try to make one change anyway..tweak it a little  to keep things fresh!

One of the best ways to make use of  your time is to set aside a bit of that time for planning.  Menu planning can not only help you stay organized, it can help you avoid last minute trips to the grocery store; and doesn’t that always happen during the hours when the store is PACKED? 

It can also eliminate those hurried runs for fast food, which is more “gut fill” than it is a meal. 

There are some easy resources to help you with your planning and we’ve included a few free templates here.  But a  notebook and pencil will work just as well.  It’s a simple matter of organizing your thoughts, checking out your calendar, and making a list.  You can plan by the week or by the month; whatever works best for your lifestyle.

http://unclutterer.com/2008/02/20/creating-a-weekly-meal-plan/

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010142351.aspx

Members can also check out today’s class thread,  our recipe files and class archives for more meal planning tips.

“Without gusto you’re merely marking time, and with it, you’re devouring time and space.”

Marilu Henner

Marilu has included GUSTO as one of the 10 basic steps of her program, because  it’s every bit as important as the other, seemingly more basic, steps.  Even if you aren’t where you want to be with your physical goals you can get through any situation with gusto.  And the added bonus is that it will ultimately improve your self image which will give you even more motivation to improve your health.

Begin today. 

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING !!

STRESS

Everyone has it….it’s the extent to which you’re able to handle it that determines how much it will affect your life.  Determine how much of your anxiety is brought on by your own decision making, or scheduling practices.  Could you benefit from de-cluttering your office, from stepping off a committee, from allowing someone else to host the next holiday? 

Here are a few tips to help you keep life more manageable and keep stress off your doorstep:

EXERCISE…this burns off stress related chemicals and releases endorphins into our systems.  Thirty minutes of exercise provides immediate reduction in tension.

SAY NO…..at the very least don’t say yes right away.  We’re so eager to please that we often say yes without thinking .  Always take 24 to 36 hours to think about it before shouldering a new responsibility.  (Obviously this does NOT apply to helping someone in an emergency situation.)

GO SOAK…..take time for yourself in a hot bath, infused with baking soda, epsom salts, or geranium or lavender oils. Or treat yourself to a relaxing massage.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE ONE ABOUT…laughing is thought to increase the various measures of the immune system.  You’ve heard people say “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry”,  and it’s true as it’s an indicator of your ability to find humor in the ironies of life.  It’s the ultimate coping mechanism.

Catching up on work or chores when you should be sleeping is not putting time to good use.  SLEEPING is putting time to good use.  Your body needs that time to function properly.  It allows your body to be a natural healer.  You’ll be more productive the following day…and frankly, nicer to be around. 

If you suffer from insomnia, or if you just have a habit of not allowing yourself to settle in for the night, try natural remedies and behavior techniques such as a bedtime routine and/or a sleep journal.  Over the counter medications will only treat the symptom but will not correct the cause of your sleeplessness.

“THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU ABOUT EXERCISE IS TO FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE DOING AND DO IT.”

Marilu Henner

If you’re going to make a drastic change (such as join a gym, take up running etc.) you’ll want to visit your doctor.  But most of us could stand to use our common sense and just become more physically active.  When you were a kid it was called playing.  You don’t have to wait until you have a gym membership, buy a kayak, or lose 50 pounds. 

This is something you can incorporate in the next five minutes!  Take a walk.  Do some jumping jacks. Do some crunches.  Play tag with your kids. Play tag with your spouse.

Just get up. Get moving.  Break a sweat. 

NOW !