I’ll be performing my new club act at The Gardenia in Los Angeles on March 4, 5, and 6! The show is at 9 pm each night. I hope to see you there!

The Gardenia
7066 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90038
Street Parking
RESERVATIONS 323-467-7444

When something terrible happens in the world, we all seem to remember – with almost no effort – that we are all brothers and sisters. We are alike in so many more ways than we could ever be different. And we are all connected – interdependent – in this global economy.

Take a moment today to think about how connected you are to Haiti. Play the “Six Degrees of Separation” game, and figure out how closely connected you are.

I am connected to Haiti. Long ago, I was on a cruise ship that docked in Haiti for a full day. I spent money in the market, I hired two guides to help me ride a donkey to a historic site, and I got a really bad sunburn. It is a beautiful country, with friendly, happy people.

I am connected to Haiti today. With a group of internet friends, I support a school in rural Haiti. The school not only teaches the children, it provides a community building, community leaders (teachers), and two meals a day for the children.

~ Sheri, member

When you find your connections, take some action to help. Donating money has never been easier (seriously – text HAITI to 90999, and a $10 donation to the Red Cross will show up on your cell phone bill – kudos to whoever arranged that because it’s brilliant), and the best disaster relief is provided by the big names you already know, as well as the groups that already work in Haiti.

Honor the connection by saying a prayer for, or sending good thoughts or positive energy to, the people of Haiti, and the people who are there to help.

We are all connected. We are all brothers and sisters.

Oops! We got a little sidetracked yesterday. Here’s Thursday’s recipe – another excellent Purple Week recipe – something that’s totally healthy, but absolutely delicious. It’s written as a main dish salad, but it’s also perfect in smaller portions as a small meal before you head out to a party, or as a side dish (try it with the Salmon in Parchment from last Monday!).

~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Arugula and Grilled Vegetable Salad
from Marilu Henner’s The 30 Day Total Health Makeover
Purple * serves 4

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon water
1-1/2 teaspoons mellow barley miso
1 Tablespoon olive oil
pepper to taste
1 medium-sized sweet onion, peeled and cut into thick slices
1 medium zucchini, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch slices
4-6 cups torn or coarsely chopped arugula
2 Tablespoons whole basil leaves
1 Tablespoon chopped Italian parsley

Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, water, and miso. Dribble in olive oil, whisking continuously until dressing emulsifies. Season with pepper to taste.

Brush onion and zucchini with dressing and grill or broil, turning once, until tender. If zucchini slices are particularly large, cut in half lengthwise after grilling.

Toss together arugula and basil leaves with just enough dressing to coat. Divide among 4 salad plates. Arrange grilled vegetables on top and sprinkle with parsley.

Copyright © 2009-10 Hennergy, Inc. All rights reserved.

A person who lives in constant deprivation and with constant resentment can never truly be healthy (or happy). Wouldn’t it be great to live a life where you never have to think about a remedy because you rarely have an ailment? To never “diet” again because you are finally in control?

~ Marilu Henner, Total Health Makeover

Get control of your life.
Get control of your health and your weight.
Start your 21-day turnaround on January 4th at Marilu.com.

Photo by Sanja Gjenero

Be daring this Thanksgiving. Try this excellent soup in a fanciful presentation.

You still have time to try the recipe before the holiday! Any time you’re trying a new recipe that you want to use for a special meal, it helps to test it first. You’ll be familiar with the timing, the process, and the preparation before the Big Day.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Beet Soup in Acorn Squash
from Healthy Holidays, by Marilu Henner
Blue * Serves 8

8 acorn squashes, 1-1/4 pounds each
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
1 large red onion, chopped
1-1/2 Tablespoons oilve oil
5 medium beets (2 pounds without greens), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red apple, such as Gala, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon maple sugar
pepper

To roast the squash, preheat the oven to 375F. Cut off the tops of the squash (about 1 inch from the stem end) and reserve. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each squash to create a stable base, but do not make an opening in the bottom of the squash.

Brush vegetable oil inside and on the top of the squash, and sprinkle the kosher salt inside. Arrange the squash bowls, with tops alongside, stem ends up, in two large, shallow baking pans. Roast the squash in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, switching the positions of the pans halfway through baking, until the flesh of the squash is just tender, about 75 minutes.

While the squash is roasting, make the soup. In a 5-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, cook the onion in the olive oil, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Add the beets and apple, and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds or until well combined.

Add the broth and 2 cups water, then simmer, uncovered, until the beets are tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in the maple sugar. Puree the soup in three batches in a blender until very smooth (or use an immersion blender), at least 1 minute per batch, transferring the soup to a large bowl. (Use caution when blending hot liquids – never fill the blender more than halfway, and watch for steam when removing the lid.)

Return the soup to the pan, season to taste with salt and pepper, and reheat. If the soup is too thick, add enough water to thin to the desired consistency. Serve the soup in the squash bowls.

Copyright © 2009 Hennergy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Countdown

No sugar
No red meat
No alcohol
No dairy (milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, yogurt, etc)

Purple Week/Boot Camp

Emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
No refined carbohydrates (pasta, bread).
No Soy
No Legumes (unless you’re eating completely vegan – then use legumes to augment your protein)
Low Fat
Low Seasoning

Blue Week

Anything that fits into Purple, fits here too!
Add some whole-grain refined carbs (whole grain breads, pastas)
Add more seasonings
Add legumes, but not soy subs (soy milk/cheese)

Green Week

Anything that fits into Purple or Blue Weeks, plus:
Add soy products (tofu and subs)
Somewhat more complex menus and seasonings than before

Yellow Week

Add less refined (“legal”) sugars in the forms of desserts and snacks
Miscombining happens in Yellow Week on occasion
The most complex menus and seasonings

This is such a fun time of year in the entertainment industry – a brand new TV season with lots of new shows, pre-Christmas album releases, holiday shows and concerts, even the start of football and the end of baseball!

So what’s up here at Marilu.com?

We have a great fall line-up for you. The next three months of online classes are so exciting! Join now and you won’t miss out on any of these classes – they’re all included automatically with your membership!

In October we have TWO classes that totally complement each other. Marilu will teach the *all new* Living Legacy class for 5 weekdays, followed by the *all new* NO Excuses class with Coach Heather for 10 weekdays. Do not miss these October classes! They”ll help you sort out your story and your priorities, to guide you into a healthy lifestyle.

In November, we’re returning to HOT for the Holidays! This is one of our most popular classes, helping you organize your life in a healthy way to prepare for the coming holiday season. This class includes holiday menus and recipes, and is vegan-friendly.

In December, Coach Beth Miriam is leading an *all new* class on clothing and presentation, called Clothes Make the Character. You only have one chance to make a first impression, so you may as well look your best, right?

Classes at Marilu.com are designed to fit your schedule and your needs. Coaching is personal, and includes coaching from Marilu in the chat room. It’s all yours for less than the cost of a stamp a day. Join now – and have a great fall with Marilu.com!

Photo by Aron Kremer

Water is the driver of Nature.

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Here’s what sugar can do for you:

• deplete B vitamins
• leach calcium from your hair, blood, bones, and teeth
• interfere with calcium absorption
• cause mood swings
• cause digestive problems
• has been linked in research with diabetes, obesity, rheumatism, gout, hypoglycemia, acne, indigestion, arteriosclerosis, and even mental illness

You don’t need any refined white sugar. Or anything it’s in, either. Read labels, shop smart.

Saturday, May 9 is the world’s largest food drive – sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers and other partners, it’s also the easiest one for you to contribute to.

Just leave non-perishable food by your mailbox, and your letter carrier will pick it up, take it back to the post office for sorting, and deliver it all to a local food bank.

This is a good opportunity to clean out your pantry. As long as it’s not in a glass container, and it hasn’t expired, they’ll pretty much take it. If it’s raining, put the food in one of those plastic shopping bags you have sitting around.

Read more on the Help Stamp Out Hunger website. Do your part.