Marilu Henner's Blog, page 111

Before you grill……

Check out this article from PCRM (Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine):  http://www.pcrm.org/health/medNews/meat-increases-stroke-risk

Summer weekends nearly always involve a BBQ or two but don’t buy into the mindset that they have to include meat.  In fact, with fresh food so bountiful, why take up room on your plate with something that can harm you? 

Stock up on veggies.  Grill some portabello mushrooms and thick sliced onions if you want something hearty to put in a bun.  Peaches are everywhere and with some grill marks , maple syrup and dairy free ice cream you’ve got a great finish for your meal.

Animal agriculture v. Plant Based Diets

Most of us are aware by now that there is a growing public health threat in the form of antibiotic resistance.  Any mom who has dealt with an ear infection more than once has probably discussed this with her pediatirican.

What many people don’t know is that this threat is linked to antimicrobial use in animal agriculture.  What that means, simply put, is that the animals in our food supply are routinely treated with antibiotics to promote growth and inhibit the illness inherent in the crowded, often inhumane, living conditions they endure.  In fact…up to 80% of antibiotics used in the U.S. are administered to animals on farms !

You can read the full article from PCRM here: http://pcrm.org/health/health-topics/animal-ag-foodborne-illness-antibiotic-resistance

 

In the meantime there’s time to check out Marilu.com for some delicious, healthy and safe alternatives to serve this weekend.

PINEAPPLE

 

As an encouragement to get started on a plant based lifestyle we’d like to challenge everyone to try living dairy free for three weeks.  Here’s a helpful and delicious tip to help you do that.  Include fresh pineapple in your menu every day for the next three weeks.  What says “summer” better than a fresh plate of tropical fruit at breakfast.  The bromelain in pineapple is especially helpful to digestion, particularly digesting that nasty dairy that’s still in your system. 

 

Please post and let us know how you’re doing.  We’re here to help!!

“So where do you get your protein?”

It seems that once people know you’re vegetarian or vegan they will take a sudden interest in your protein intake.  Chances are you’ve been asked this question at least once.  Here’s a wonderfully informative article with succinct answers to that question. 

 

Read what a 45 year old, still competing, vegan endurance athlete  has to say on the subject:  http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4491/My-Top-7-Sources-of-PlantBased-Protein.html

VEGAN……The Gold Standard?

 

This article comes to you courtesy of The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and Ecorazzi.  This is not only fascinating but informative, encouraging and most of all INSPIRING.  

In appreciation of the inspiring athletes competing in London at this year’s Olympic Games we want to share this with you.

 

Read about how some former Olympians credit their conscious lifestyle choices with helping them find success in competition.  Carl Lewis is possibly the most well known for his vegan lifestyle but you may be surprised at just how many other athletes are embracing vegetarian and vegan diets. 

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/07/27/top-10-historic-vegetarian-and-vegan-olympians/

Of course we believe that EVERYONE who holds to the courage of their convictions is a CHAMPION !

 

Pay It Forward

One of the best things you can do for your health is help others.  Maybe your summer schedule allows you a little more freedom to volunteer your time.  Mow your neighbors lawn, visit an elderly friend donate part of your day to a homeless shelter.  Or donate part of your lunch!  Short on time?  You can still place a bowl of water out for the animals who suffer in hot weather, you can make a phone call to brighten someone’s day, or strike up a conversation in the check out line.  Just do something every day this week to pour some positivity into the world.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS MARILU AND PCRM !

In case you missed it…..Marilu’s recipe won the GRILLIN’ WITH THE STARS contest on Live yesterday. Congratulations to Marilu and her charity, The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. Congratulations also to runner up Ashanti and her charity, Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Both of these organizations will put the winnings to good use. Your vote helped “pay it forward” and that’s something you can celebrate.

One way to celebrate is by preparing Marilu’s healthy delicious vegan recipe this weekend !



Healthy/Easy Grilled Mushroom and Heirloom Tomato Summer Dish

 

Large Container of Organic Mesclun Greens

3 Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, (sliced ¼” thick)

2 C Organic Green Grapes

6 Cloves of Garlic (unpeeled)

1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided, plus 1/3 Cup olive oil)

Kosher Salt

Pepper

1/3 C Balsamic Vinegar

1 T Dijon Mustard

6 Large Portobello Mushrooms

Mozzarella-Flavored Cheese

Grill Basket

Preheat the grill to medium-high.

Marinate the grapes in olive oil, salt, and pepper.

In a small bowl, toss the garlic cloves with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and salt. Wrap the garlic cloves in tinfoil and place on the grill. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic with the 1/3 cup olive oil and mustard. Cut tomatoes in thick slices and set aside.

In a medium bowl, toss the mushrooms in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt. Place them, cap side down, on the grill and close the lid. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Turn on the other side and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Re-season them lightly with salt and slice diagonally ½ inch pieces.

Take mushrooms off, and put grapes in a grill basket and grill until the skins begin to blacken in spots, about 3 minutes.

Remove the garlic from the grill. Squeeze the garlic pulp out from their skins and whisk it vigorously into the dressing. Arrange greens in center of plate, then alternate sliced mushrooms and sliced tomatoes on top and garnish with grapes and top with the dressing and a sprinkle of Mozzarella-flavored cheese. Serve immediately.

It’s Friday and life is just a bowl of…..

CHERRIES !!!

A plant based diet isn’t just good for you….it’s colorful, gorgeous, and delicious!   There are a lot of great recipes for cherries beginning with the old fashioned picnic favorite; cherry pie.  You can add them to salads, top your pancakes at weekend brunch or, best of all, just enjoy them straight up !

 

They’re loaded with antioxidants and, according to the USDA, may reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer and arthritis.  They may also play a role in reducing muscle damage in athletes. 

 

Eat the rainbow !

 

Marilu on LIVE with Kelly !

Watch LIVE with Kelly tomorrow, August 3rd to find out the winner of Grillin’s with the Stars !   Of course we’re rooting for Marilu !

 

The winner will be announced live on the air.  Check this link for local time and station:  http://dadt.com/live/local-listings.html

More good news about calcium

You’re just beginning your health journey, you’ve ditched the milk and you’re ready to get your calcium from other sources.  You may be struggling with that ingrained mindset that you were adding calcium every morning when you poured milk over your cereal, or into your child’s sippy cup.

Well you can still have that pour and now it can really count towards your calcium intake.  Most dairy substitutes are fortified with calcium, some contain even more than we typically find in cow’s milk.  And of course they’re from plant sources so the calcium is more easily assimilated by your body and won’t cause acidity.  In other words….you’re actually getting the benefits of the calcium!

Silk soymilk boasts 50% more calcium per serving than cow’s milk.   Their chocolate almond version contains 45% of your daily calcium requirement as does Almond Breeze unsweetened almond milk.

 

We’re not endorsing any particular brands or varieties.  These numbers are just for comparison, but we would urge you to taste test different brands for yourself.  There’s a wide variety on the market.  Compare labels and choose for yourself.