Marilu Henner's Blog, page 137

Five day class begins HERE on Monday !

Marilu recently ran a class in the members area to help us be better prepared for the busy weeks we all face at the end of the year…and the temptations we'll face as well. 

Beginning on Monday you can participate in a free five day class with our Hot for the Holidays coach, Jan.  Each year this is a popular favorite at Marilu.com but this is the first time it's being run on the public site so be sure to tell your friends.  The more the merrier.  No strings attached. 

Jan is an incredible coach and having her lead this class was like having a personal assistant to help us through the holidays.  Who hasn't wished for that from time to time ? 

See you in class!

Healthy and Affordable Gifts for the Holidays

A healthy lifestyle can be simple AND affordable.  So should your gift giving.  This article suggests some great gifts for the health enthusiast on your list.   We aren't endorsing all of these products ( two of them are food items so the responsibility falls on you to read labels and choose the healthiest versions of that type of product) but there are some great ideas for you to check out.

http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/healthy-gifts-under-25

This list might spark ideas of your own so please visit us on the boards and share your thoughts.

One more item that isn't on the list?  MEMBERSHIP AT MARILU.COM ! 

If you're already a member we have a special offer for you.  Gift a new membership to a friend at the renewal rate. 

If you're interested in membership for the first time contact us for special group rates.  You (and your friends) can join Marilu's new class, beginning January 2nd, and get a strong start in the New Year !

Curious about classes here?  Beginning Monday we're offering a free class on the message boards.  Join Marilu and Coach Jan for 5 days of keeping it simple and staying healthy through the hectic holiday season.

HSAM Crosses the Pond

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), and Marilu are in the news yet again.  This time they've crossed the pond, drawing interest from memory experts in the U.K.  Take a look at the following article.  It's interesting that they talk about memory being less about what we retain and more about what we're able to access.  They've clearly been watching the research with a keen eye.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/people_who_have_rare_super_memory_sought_1_4012517

Salt

Sodium has it's place in ensuring proper nerve and muscle function but many Americans are consuming far too much salt,  increasing their risk for osteoporosis, kidney stones, gastric ulcers and high blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic Food and Nutrition Center.

The salt shaker is NOT the culprit here.  80% of salt consumed comes from packaged foods and restaurant meals.

Reading labels and cooking whole foods at home are two of the most effective ways to take control of how much salt you're getting in your daily diet.  Don't be passive about your health.

Unforgettable

In case you've missed it:

UNFORGETTABLE is a great new crime drama on CBS.  It airs Tuesday nights at 10/9 central and is based largely on Marilu's experiences with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM, or hyperthymesia).

It stars Poppy Montgomery in the role of Carrie Wells,  a police officer who uses her superior memory to help solve crime. 

Marilu is a consultant, and a recent guest star,  on this show which was just nominated for a PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD!

Congratulations to all involved!

Meatless Monday

Have you been thinking about going meatless one day a week?  Would you like to join in on Meatless Mondays?

Here's an interesting article discussing the trend…and giving a shout out to Marilu.com !!

http://www.vegancooking.com/random-stuff/are-meatless-mondays-for-you-2/

There's some great information in there to help you make a decision about what's right for you.

Be present

This quote by Jim Elliot has a lot of bearing on our chosen healthy lifestyle.  By simplifying our lives in our recent Hot for the Holidays class we've hopefully allowed more space to be in the moment and not in a mental rush to the next task or event.  We can develop better memory and mental accuity by paying attention to the moment we're living. (There's a lot more on this topic in Marilu's upcoming book Total Memory Makeover, available for pre-order at the top of this page.)

"WHEREVER YOU ARE—BE ALL THERE."

Jim Elliot

The A List

Vitamin A has a reputation for it's benefits on eyesight but did  you know that it's very beneficial in fighting viral infections?  Hopefully your healthy lifestyle will keep you strong and able to fight off these infections, but why not help things along by choosing foods from this list.

 

Raw carrots, Cooked spinach,

Baked sweet potato with skin, Cooked turnip greens,

Baked winter squash, Cooked collard greens, Cantaloupe

Romaine lettuce, Steamed broccoli,   Cooked green peas

Sugar !

Sugar is everywhere…even in places where you don't want, or NEED, it.  When you're reaching for a snack or meal remember that you might be getting something you didn't bargain for.  A can of fruit  may seem like a smart, healthy snack.  After all it's only 100 calories and isn't that what manufacturer's keep flashing as the magic number? ("Only 100 Calories" practically screams at you from half the packages in the snack aisle.) 

And it's FRUIT for Pete's sake. 

But if it's packed in syrup it can contain up to 23 grams of sugar.  The same holds true for some whole grain muffins.  They can contain up to 29 grams of sugar.  Granola can pack a wallop when it come sto sugar content so be sure to read the labels.  They aren't all unhealthy but there are plenty of granola and cereal products out there that are basically junk food masquerading as a healthy choice. 

It's not just sugar that lurks where you least expect it.  Watch for things such as dairy, additives, food dyes.  There are a lot of good reasons to be more aware of what you're spending your money on.

Read your labels.  You may not be as crunchy as you think you are !

What the label is really saying !

Unless your breakfast cereal is loaded with marshmallows and neon colored cartoon characters the words  "healthy", or "natural" are probably featured prominently on the packaging.  Know what these terms mean….and what they don't. 

Healthy is a relative term and if challenged a manufacturer can argue that the ingredients are comparatively healthy.

Many people believe that "natural" means "clean" but a cereal that's labeled natural can contain genetically modified ingredients (GMO's) and pesticides. This is especially common in products made with corn and soy. 

Some products that were previously labeled "organic", or "made with organic ingredients" (meaning at least 70% of the ingredients are organic) have changed their formulas.  If you've been buying a product for some time you may want to revisit the label.  Brand recognition is great but don't assume that  it remains organic, dairy free or gluten free.  Whatever your priorities are in choosing a product it's wise to check the ingredients periodically to see if it still conforms to your standards.

Labeling something "natural" or "low fat" does not mean that it's healthy (truly healthy, not comparatively healthy) , that it's processed without pesticides or fumigants,  or that it doesn't contain dairy, sugar or high fructose corn syrup. 

There are some great products on the market and you don't need to feel guilty about reaching for an easy breakfast or snack from time to time…provided you do your homework beforehand and find out what's going in that package.