Marilu Henner's Blog, page 167

You are what you drink

Did you know that your body is about 60 percent water by weight?

Some organs have an even higher percentage of water. Your brain? About 70 percent water. Your blood? Over 80 percent water. Your lungs? About 90 percent water.

Without adequate water intake, every system in your body slows down and becomes sluggish. It's like those commercials for the oil that your car engine needs – when the engine oil gets sticky and gunky, your car breaks down. When your organs don't get the water they need, they first start to take water from the less vital areas (like your skin, joints, bones, etc.) to supply the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Eventually, your whole body becomes inefficient and eventually breaks down.

How do you know you're dehydrated?

First sign – thirst. Always drink water when you're thirsty.

Other signs to look for –

headache
fatigue
confusion
loss of appetite
flushed skin
heat intolerance
light-headedness
dry mouth and eyes
lack of skin elasticity
stomach pains (can feel like hunger)
slower metabolism (leads to weight gain)

So drink water. We recommend half your weight in ounces each day, up to a maximum of 100 ounces per day. If you weigh 200 pounds or more, drink 100 ounces of water a day. If you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water a day, etc.

 

Meatless Monday recipe from Marilu's table * Veggie tacos

Are you looking for a quick vegan meal that's a little different from the norm? This is it.

The tacos go together in a about 20 minutes (really), and extra filling can be stored in the fridge for a few days for an even quicker meal later. The flavor is "taco" but there's no tomato, which makes these tacos unique.

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Veggie Tacos

Blue * Serves 4

2 Tablespoons olive oil

3/4 pound zucchini, trimmed and diced

3 scallions, chopped

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups frozen corn, thawed under running water and patted dry

2 cups baby spinach, chopped

3/4 cup salsa verde (tomatillo salsa)

8 whole-grain tortillas

Lime wedges, optional

Heat oil in skillet, add zucchini and scallions, cook for 5 minutes. Add spices, cook 1 minute. Stir in beans, corn, spinach and salsa, cook 3-4 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Heat tortillas on a hot griddle or in a hot frying pan (no oil). Keep the tortillas warm by wrapping them in foil and keeping them in the oven.

Spoon 1/3 cup taco mixture into the middle of a tortilla, and fold to eat. Serve with lime wedges.

Spirit Sunday * Good news

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!

~ Anne Frank

 

What's on your price tag?

It's not about the money, money, money…

It's not about the cha-ching, cha-ching…

It's not about the ba-bling, ba-bling…

We just wanna make the world dance

Forget about the price tag.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all just dance together and let all the things that divide us fall away? We need to remember that the important thing is not whether we're wearing the "right" shoes or the "coolest" sunglasses.

Don't sell out to somebody else's idea of who you should be. Your price tag? Should read "PRICELESS."

Now get up and celebrate YOU with some dancing.

//www.marilu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/01 - Price Tag.mp3

(note: explicit)

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Green cleaning

Be sure to read the labels of the products you clean with (not just the food you eat).

Of course you want the most natural cleaners you can find – especially for places you clean frequently, like the kitchen and bathroom. Look for brands approved by Green Seal or EcoLogo, two organizations that identify products that have met environmental label guidelines.

Check the Environmental Working Group's index if you want to know more about the chemicals on the labels you're reading.

And never underestimate the power of plain old vinegar and baking soda.

 

Fitness Friday * Budget-conscious exercise

All that expensive exercise equipment only helps you tone muscle and lose weight if you use it… for something other than a coat rack.

Why not try some budget-friendly options instead? You can find instructions for most of this equipment on the web or in fitness DVDs (check your library, Netflix, or trade with friends for budget-friendly options).

Jump rope * It's inexpensive, and it doesn't take up much space either. If you have the ceiling height, you can use it indoors. Start with basic playground jumping, and work up to boxer jumping.

Stability and resistance balls * They come in various sizes, so get the one(s) that fit your workout. Use them for coordination and balance, building core strength. There's nothing like pushups with your feet on a ball, or crunches while sitting on a ball to make you realize there's more toning to be done. (Stability balls also make great chairs.)

Resistance tubes and bands * Inexpensive and portable, Marilu uses these for keeping up her fitness routine while traveling. Use them to build strength and flexibility, especially in your arms, legs, and glutes.

Handheld free weights * They're basic, but they still work to strengthen muscles and bones. Be sure you get instruction on proper technique. They're available everywhere, and often on sale.

Kettlebells * These cast iron balls with handles were originally used for training military and Olympic athletes. Be sure you get instruction on proper technique. You can get a full-body workout – cardio, flexibility, strength training, and core stabilization – from a kettlebell workout.

 

Featured recipe from Marilu's table * Spicy cold soba noodles

Spicy Cold Soba Noodles are a favorite recipe from Marilu's book Healthy Life Kitchen.

Some of the ingredients may be new to you, but don't panic. They can be used in other meals, and they have a pretty good shelf life (or fridge life) so you don't have to worry about wasting food.

Sesame oil * We love toasted sesame oil, and we add a few drops to all our stir fries and Asian meals. Find it with the Asian foods, usually in your local grocery store.

Tahini * A puree of toasted sesame seeds, this is usually found in the health food store or natural foods section of your grocery store. Sometimes it's in the refrigerated section. It's also used to make hummus.

Barley malt * This grain-based sweetener is usually found in the health food store. Barley malt is a syrup, and it has a rather strong flavor (and the smell might remind you a bit of beer, but don't worry, you're not using much). Keep it in the fridge after you open it, and it will last a long, long time (years).

Chili oil * It comes in small bottles, usually in the Asian foods section. Some brands are hotter than others, and some brands come in different heat "strengths." Use just a little, and then add more to taste if you want.

Soba noodles * Just pasta, Asian style – and made from buckwheat.

This meal is great for a brown bag lunch. If it will be out of the fridge for longer than 4 hours, or it will be in the heat, pack along a blue ice pack to keep it cool.

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Spicy Cold Soba Noodles

Green * Serves 6

1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari)

1 Tablespoon molasses

1/4 cup sesame oil (we use 1/2 Tablespoon)

1/4 cup tahini

1 Tablespoon barley malt

1/4 cup chili oil (we use 1 teaspoon)

3 Tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar

1/2 bunch scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced

salt to taste

1/2 pound soba noodles

Optional: Add shredded carrots for extra color and a vegetable! We've also added julienned red pepper, julienned cucumber, edamame, and chopped cilantro. (But we like to play.)

Place soy sauce in a pan over high heat and reduce by half. Turn heat to low, stir in molasses, and warm briefly. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add sesame oil, tahini, barley malt, chili oil, vinegar, and scallions, and whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt, if desired.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add noodles, bring back to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they just begin to soften, about 3 minutes. (Soba noodles can overcook very quickly, so stay nearby and pay attention).

Have ready a large bowl of ice water. Drain noodles, plunge in ice water, adn drain again. Place in a colander and rinse well under cold running water. Combine noodles and sauce, toss well, and chill.

 

Do you know where your floss is?

While we're thinking about dental care… do you know where your floss is?

Did you know most people only floss the day before they go to the dentist? That's not very good dental care. Even if you only do it once a day, floss your teeth.

Your gums will thank you – if not now, in another decade or two… really. Think of using floss like using sunscreen – you won't notice the effects of doing the right thing for awhile, but you will notice them. And you'll be grateful you took care of yourself all those years.

 

Toothbrush time!

How old is your toothbrush?

If it's older than 4 months, it's time for a new one.

Another option is to boil your toothbrush for 10 minutes to kill off the bacteria – but the bristles don't last too much longer than 6 months anyway.

Take care of your teeth. Take care of your health. Get a new toothbrush!

(PS – A toothbrush is a nice addition to an Easter basket, too!)

Photo by Sanja Gjenero

 

Are you looking for more money, honey?

We could all use more Money, Honey, but the smartest thing to do is use what we have brilliantly. That's how we stay fiscally fit and fabulous – being smart with our m-o-n-e-y (so sexy!), and remembering that people (especially the people we love) are more important than things.

What do your spending habits say about your priorities?

Do you spend all your money on "treats" and have little or nothing left for necessities?

Do you budget for fitness and physical activities, like a bicycle or a gym membership or new athletic shoes?

Do you look for the free or inexpensive things you can do to enjoy your city?

How do you show the people you love that they're more important than anything you buy?

Now grab the ones you love and get up and move! (It's free!)

//www.marilu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/08 - Money Honey.mp3

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