Get yourself some green by keeping track of all the money you spend on bad food and bad habits.

You know what we’re talking about – the candy bar you pick up at the checkout counter, the drive-through fast food stop that just “happens” to be on your way, the cigarettes you smoke when you’re out with friends, the way you hit “snooze” instead of going to the gym.

Figure out the cost of your gym membership per visit (aiming for three times a week is reasonable). How much does it cost you to skip a day? We know you want to say, “Fine, I just won’t renew my membership, and that will save me money.” Well, yes, but it will also cost you unless you are dedicated to your own non-gym workout. Sometimes the money is the motivator.

Look at your grocery bill and figure out what doesn’t need to be there. How much did you spend on junk food? It could really add up in a year.

Now think green, and start saving that money. You might have enough for some really great incentives – like jewelry or vacations or hey, there might be enough to cover that gym membership (which you’ll be using) after all!

The next time you cook pasta, add a handful of baby spinach for every serving. Just drop it into the pasta water about 2 minutes before the pasta is done cooking. Drain the pasta and spinach into a colander, and top with your favorite sauce.

It’s easy to add GREEN (and all its nutrients) to your meals.

We’re ready to start thinking about St. Patrick’s Day (yes, already). Maybe it’s all the snow that’s still on the ground, or even still falling in some places. Maybe it’s the days getting just enough longer to notice the sunrise each morning. Maybe it’s a need for a rainbow and a pot of gold. But we’re thinking GREEN.

And today, that means the king of green vegetables – kale.

Here’s an unusual snack that is kid-tested (and kid-approved). Yes, really – by middle school students even. Kale chips are delicious. The woman who made this video is pregnant, but you don’t have to be eating for two to be looking for a healthy and delicious alternative to potato chips.

Let us know how you like them!

We learned a great way to help improve our children’s school lunches yesterday – while we were in chat with Dr. Neal Barnard and Marilu. Here’s what Dr. Barnard said.

The most amazing thing is that Congress is now considering vegetarian and vegan options for children in school. It would make kids so much healthier.

Please call Congress at 202-224-3121, and tell them your city, and they’ll put you through to your representative’s office. Ask your representative to support the new bill calling for more vegetarian options in schools.

~ Dr. Neal Barnard, PCRM, in this chat

Here’s a video from PCRM advocating healthier school lunches. See more at HealthySchoolLunches.org.

If you missed yesterday’s chat with Marilu and Dr. Neal Barnard (founder and president of Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine), don’t panic!

Read the chat transcript here.

Stop by next Tuesday, March 9 at 10 PM Eastern/7 PM Pacific for another chat with Marilu and Dr. Barnard. These chats are a collaboration between Marilu.com and PCRM’s 21-day Vegan Kickstart program.

We’ve all had those days when other people want to control us. We come home from work or school, or we walk out of a meeting or away from a partner, feeling less than ourselves.

When we’re feeling pulled in too many directions, or dragged against our will, there are things we can do… besides shout “you’re not the boss of me!” (You know you’ve wanted to do that…)

We can stick to the routine that makes us feel the healthiest – that makes us feel empowered.

• Eat foods that make your body stronger – vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and lean proteins.
• Exercise every day – get your heart muscle in shape and get fresh air into your lungs.
• Go to bed at a reasonable hour and get enough sleep.
• Skip the chemicals, caffeine, and alcohol. Stay hydrated with water..

Your mind and your body will be able to deal with life’s difficult situations when you take care of yourself. It’s the best way to take control of your life.

Now get up and get moving – this song is all about empowerment.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Thirty-five percent of all heart attacks occur in people with a total cholesterol between 150 and 199 mg/dl.

Your doctor may be happy with anything under 200 mg/dl – but you should be striving to get below 150. That’s the “heart-attack proof” number. You also want your LDL number (the bad ones – think “lousy” or “loser”) to be under 80.

The best way to get these numbers is to eat a plant-based diet.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves lives.

Take a class in CPR through your local Red Cross or American Heart Association chapter. Look in your community education course offerings, or check with a local college. Some employers offer CPR classes, too.

One day from your life can save someone else’s whole life.

Make an appointment to have your heart checked.

Many women see their gynecologist as their primary care physician, and never have their hearts checked by internists or cardiologists. (It’s a good idea to have a complete physical by an internist or general practitioner – someone who is familiar with your whole body!)

Get a stress test, an echocardiogram, an EKG, a C-reactive protein test, and whatever else your doctor recommends. Get all your bloodwork done, too, so you can see your cholesterol and triglyceride numbers.

If the next ice age started right now, how would you be frozen in time?

Would your chin be jutting forward?
Would your shoulders be rounded?
Would you be slumped in your chair?

Is that how you would want to be stuck forever?

Sit up. You look maaaahvelous, dahling.