A few days ago we posted Marilu’s article that was published in The Chicago Sun-Times.  (If you missed it you can read it here:  http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/15352943-761/daily-splash-marilu-henner-on-how-her-husbands-small-steps-scored-a-big-win-over.html)

In that article Marilu discusses “the new normal” in regard to changing personal lifestyle habits.  It seems that those changes are going to be easier for everyone.  Check out this NY Times article about the new normal in dining out. Vegan choices.  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/dining/vegan-food-is-in-mainstream-in-southern-california.html?ref=dining&_r=2

Yes healthy choices are becoming more mainstream.

Marilu has been ahead of the curve for years.  Isn’t it great to see the message spreading?

Our recent LIGHTEN UP class in the members area has us streamlining our life and our possessoins.  But it’s not just about what we’re eliminating.  We’re becoming more conscious of how we live and ALSO more conscious of our impact on this planet. 

So rather than send that old “stuff” off to landfills think about who might be thrilled to have some of the things the rest of us take for granted.  Our coaches suggested a charity called Soles 4 Souls.

You can read about it here:  www. Soles4Souls.org

We think that after you do, it will become much easier to pare down your shoe collection !

SOME TIMELY ADVICE FOR THE START OF SUMMER…..

“First aid kit in a bottle:   Next time you’re in a health food store, get a product called tea tree oil.  I call it a first aid kit in a bottle.  It’s an all-purpose first aid solution for burns, cuts, scrapes, rashes, pimples, infections, ear aches, cold sores, and it’s a great insect repellent as well.  It’s an anti-fungal, anti-biotic oil, with antiseptic abilities.  My kids find it especially healing, and it’s not expensive.  It’s amazing because you use just a drop of it, and it’s extremely effective.  It takes the place of so many products you usually have to buy.” 

Marilu Henner, “The 30 Day Total Health Makeover”

If you’re participating in the new class in the member’s area you already know that the focus of the class is “The Whole Package”  Jan and Kyra are looking at the entire Total Health makeover Plan in light of a vegan lifestyle.  We’re sharing an excerpt of Day 1 here.  In this section they are talking about the effects of chemicals. 

This is just a small part of yesterday’s post which included information and how-to videos on the whole food of the day, also a vegan challenge a new recipe forum, and lively discussion. 

It’s not too late to join in and become a part of this class.  http://www.marilu.com/becomemember.php

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The first step in Marilu Henner’s Total Health Makeover (the green book) is “Eliminate Dangerous Chemicals, Additives, and Preservatives.” This is SO vegan! When Marilu wrote the Green Book, the average consumer was eating 140-150 pounds of food additives a year – ugh. We hate to imagine what it is now. You’ve heard “if you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it” and this is really true. Become a label reader, or better yet, buy food that you can see all the ingredients without a label, like kale, apples, carrots, you get the idea. Organic is best – not a guarantee, but certainly closer to chemical-free than produce that was grown with chemical fertilizers and sprayed with major pest control chemicals. Learn what some of the things on labels actually mean. If you have a smart phone, try looking up a few things while you are in the grocery store. You might lose your appetite — remember the red dye used at high profile fast food joints that is made with South American beetles? Avoid BHA, BHT, MSG, Nitrates, Nitrites, any artificial flavor or color, rBGH (aka Bovine Growth Hormone – do you really want to eat that?) and artificial sweeteners. (Read Chapter 4 in the green book for details.) Our best advice is stay away from all meat, processed foods, white stuff like rice, flour, sugar (because it has been bleached!), household chemicals, cleaning products, unnatural surfaces (vinyl, laminates, carpet), and always drink filtered water! Resign from the “Chemistry Set” and join the “Clean Team!”

Today is Day 1 of VIVA LA VEGAN.  This class is held in the member’s area and is one of our most popular classes.  Jan and Kyra, our resident vegan experts have managed to out-do themselves every year.  If you’re a committed Veg or Vegan this class is for you.

If you’re just getting started on a healthy lifestyle this class is for YOU too!  There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the benefits of a plant based lifestyle.  Learn about it right here.  Marilu has been touting the benefits for years! 

Not a member?  Not a problem!

Sign up here and you won’t miss a day. http://www.marilu.com/becomemember.php

Enjoy recipes, nutritional info, menu planning, how to videos and real time chats with Marilu.  All of that life changing information at, literally, pennies a day! 

Here’s what Coach Jan had to say about this class:

It is about introducing a healthier lifestyle, giving many options, and encouraging people to try new things. There is no judging, only kind encouragement. Our recipes are delicious, ones the whole family can enjoy. It’d say that most of the people who take the class are not vegan and won’t become vegan. Most are willing to try new things during class, and they just might come out of class with a new appreciation for the way food affects how they feel, and be enlightened about a sustainable lifestyle. We’ll be talking about far more than what goes on your table. I think it it’s worth joining for the month just to see how to prepare an artichoke and how to pack for 3 weeks in Europe in a 16″ x 20″ bag! (Yes, videos!) Marilu.com is a fun supportive community, and I hope will join us for two short weeks that could change your life!

CHECK IT OUT…you’ll be glad you did !

Join us in the member’s area for our 4th annual VIVA LA VEGAN class ! 

Whether you’re already committed to a vegan lifestyle or you’re just interested in learning more about a plant based diet this class is for you.  Jan and Kyra, our wonderful coaching team, walk the walk and they understand your questions and needs.  They will be tackling each of the 10 steps of Marilu’s Total Health Makeover from the perspective of a vegan lifestyle. 

Marilu will be right alongside and you can chat with her in our private chat room and learn about her journey to a healthy vibrant life.

The next ten days can CHANGE YOUR LIFE !!  

• NUTRITIONAL INFO
• RECIPES
• MENU PLAN
• HOW-TO VIDEOS
• REAL TIME CHATS WITH MARILU
• INTERACTIVE MEMBER SUPPORT IN A SAFE SECURE ON-LINE COMMUNITY

Join today.  Don’t miss a minute.  http://www.marilu.com/becomemember.php

Marilu will be appearing on “Live with Kelly” TODAY (Friday June 8th) on a segment called “Grilling with the Stars” .  Check local listings for time and channel.

 This is a charity competition and should be a lot of fun.  Andy Samberg is co hosting and Marilu is representing The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Besides being a fun event you know that Marilu’s recipe with be delicious and healthy and  her segment will be high energy, informative and INSPIRING !

Every magazine, store window, and television morning show is now featuring spring fashion.  Most of it is aimed at women but this article  from VegNews takes a slightly different approach. 

http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=4338&catId=5

This is directed towards the men.  It’s all about finding your sartorial style while supporting a vegan lifestyle and companies with compassion at their core! 

We live in a world where we need to use transportation, and cleaning products,  and merchandise that comes in plastic packaging.  When you order a product on line you have little or no control over how it is packaged or shipped. 

But there ARE ways that we can exercise some control over our carbon foot print.  Diet is one of them.  A plant based diet is environmentally friendly.  If we  look at our day-to-day lives we can find more ways to be kind to the planet we share.

No one is going to do everything but we can each do something more than what we’re doing currently. 

There are any number of products and websites you can check out.  Seventh Generation and Method both make products for the home or you can use your grandmothers method of vinegar and newspaper.  (Even if you’ve gone paperless most of you will be putting unsolicited fliers in your recycling this week.) We’re conditioned to associate the chemical smells with cleanliness but baking soda will do the same job as harsh chemical scrubs without being harmful to you, your children, or your pets.

There are ways to make other household items more eco friendly such as Osmo wood finishes, Bio Paints and Yolo Colorhouse.

Make it more personal. Origins, Aubrey Organics, and Dr. Hauschka all make skin care and cosmetic lines. 

Gaiam offers eco friendly bed and bath products. 

We’re not endorsing any particular brands here…just giving you food for thought. 

Think about your pet products, showerheads, lightbulbs, kitchen products such as wraps etc.

What’s one area where you can make a change this week?