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Split Pea Soup
Blue * Serves 8

2 cups split peas, washed
2 quarts water
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup diced onions
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup diced potatoes
1 garlic clove minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch cayenne

Combine all ingredients in a stock pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer one hour or until peas are cooked through. Remove bay leaf before serving.

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!

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

Dr. Barnard is the founder and president of Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. PCRM is a group of doctors and laypersons working together for compassionate and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion. Recently, Marilu worked with PCRM to help improve the school lunch program.

TODAY * Tuesday, March 9 * 10 PM Eastern (7 PM Pacific)

The CHAT ROOM (< click that) will be open just before the scheduled chat time. There's a help link on the page if you need help getting connected. A link to the transcript will be available after the chat here on the blog.

Check out last week’s chat transcript here.

Welcome to all members of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart at PCRM! A final chat is planned for Tuesday, March 16.

You don’t need to fit anyone else’s idea of perfect to be your best. You don’t need to measure yourself against someone else’ standard of beauty. Your beauty and your perfection come from within. Celebrate who you are and who you are becoming each day.

And while you’re at it, take care of your body with some movement.
Get up and dance.

//www.marilu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/08 Imperfect Is The New Perfect.mp3

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You can adapt this recipe to add or substitute other veggies you have on hand. Especially good? Chopped fresh spinach or kale.

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Confetti Rice and Rye
Purple * Serves 3-4

2 cups of cooked brown rice and rye*
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup julienne red cabbage
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil

In a large sauce pan, combine vegetable broth, red onion, celery, cabbage, and peas. Bring to a simmer. Add cooked rice and rye, parsley, and basil. Heat at low temperature for an additional 3 -5 minutes.

*To prepare rice & rye if you don’t already have some in the fridge or freezer –
Measure 1 cup brown rice and 1 cup whole-grain rye (sometimes called rye berries – NOT rye flour or rolled rye flakes) into a medium saucepan. Add 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

If you’ve struggled with your personal inTENtions this year, if you need encouragement, if you need a kick in the pants to get serious – this is the class for you. Sign up now. Stay accountable; get healthy.

There’s something wonderful about getting produce – even if it’s just herbs – from your own garden. Choose something to grow in your yard, or on your patio or deck, or on your windowsill this summer. If you’re unsure about what will grow in your area, go to a garden center and talk to the experts there (we’ve had much better luck with this in locally owned garden stores; they’re passionate about what they do, and they love to share). If seed are too risky for you, start with small starter plants.

We’ve had herb gardens in the midst of our flower beds; we’ve grown green beans and tomatoes in pots on small apartment deck; we’ve grown berries in large chunks of backyard real estate. There really is something for everyone.

Choose a way to be part of the growing season. It’s not just getting closer to nature, it’s being part of the connection between the world and your table. Making that connection is more difficult when everything on your table came wrapped in paper or plastic. Have a relationship with your food.

Photo by Lavinia Marin

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!

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, arms at your sides.
2. Lift your booty 3 to 6 inches off the floor by tilting your pelvis up, squeezing your glutes (buttocks), and tightening your abdominals (stomach). Do the movement slowly and with control, focusing on the muscles.
3. Hold that position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower down one vertebrae at a time.
4. Go for 2 sets of 12 repetitions each.

Got the basic move mastered? Increase the challenge by balancing one ankle on top of the other knee or by extending one leg out straight during the lift (alternate sets from one side to the other).