Marilu Henner's Blog, page 196

Tonight, make it vegetarian

PCRM's new "Consequences" ad takes aim at McDonald's high-fat menu.

 

 

"Our nation's addiction to Big Macs and other high-fat fast food is literally breaking our hearts," says Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., PCRM's nutrition education director. "PCRM's commercial tackles heart disease head-on by educating millions of people about the dangers of fast food."

Studies, including one from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, show that people who consume fast food are at a higher risk of obesity, a key risk factor for heart disease. Regular consumption of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods increases the risk of heart disease, and studies have found that even a single fatty meal can raise blood pressure, stiffen major arteries, and cause the heart to beat harder.

The commercial will air in fast-food addicted cities with high rates of heart disease over the following months.

To read more about the dangers of fast food, visit PCRM.org/Health.

Read the full article here.

Two minutes every morning

In just two minutes every morning, you can get the blood and oxygen flowing and reduce your risk of injury with a gentle stretching routine.

As soon as you get out of bed, take a deep breath in through your nose as you slowly and gently lift your arms over your head in a jumping-jack motion. Keep your feet planted firmly on the ground and turned out a little.

Allow your knees to bend a little (keep your knees over your toes) as you slowly and smoothly lower your arms back down. Exhale through your mouth.

Repeat this motion slowly several times, breathing deeply each time.

Next, stand straight, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly look left, then right, then left, then right. End by gently rolling your head from side to side several times, pausing when your ear gets to your shoulder.

It's a simple stretch, but it will energize you instantly to face the new day!

 

Work the coat, baby

One of the 10 Steps of Marilu's Total Health Makeover® is GUSTO. Living with gusto means maintaining a positive attitude, high energy, and zest for life. It's about being confident in who you are, and sharing that with the world.

Marilu's favorite example of living with gusto is "working the coat." It comes from a visit with a friend, who showed Marilu a new coat she planned to wear on a date with a new guy. The friend modeled the coat in a lackluster way, which was not going to impress the guy at all. So Marilu showed her how to work the coat – making both the coat and the person wearing it look great.

We wanted to share this video we saw recently – Shirley Bassey knows how to work the coat – or dress, in this case – while singing this song. In this case, it's very sexy (with a side of fun), but it doesn't have to be - it's really about the confidence of knowing who you are and what you're capable of, and enjoying every minute of life.

Can you work your outfit today?

 

Look for the signs

While they aren't foolproof, there are warning signs for breast cancer. Get familiar with them, so you know when to call your doctor for an extra visit – and don't forget to schedule your annual physical and mammogram. Early diagnosis is key to treatment and recovery for all cancers.

The National Cancer Institute suggests looking out for the following signs:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area

A change in the size or shape of the breast

Nipple discharge or tenderness

An inverted nipple

Ridges or pitting on the breast (resembling an orange peel)

A change in the look or feel of the breast, areola or nipple (such as temperature, swelling, redness or a scaly feel)

 

Featured recipe from Marilu's table * Curried sweet potato stew

Enjoy another delicious vegan meal for fall with this stew.

If you're not a fan of curry, you can leave out the curry powder, and it's still delicious. Serve the stew over brown rice for heartier appetites.

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Curried Sweet Potato Stew

Green * Serves 6-8

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable stock

10 ounces fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 green onions, chopped

2 teaspoons curry powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steam the diced sweet potatoes over simmering water for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine garbanzo beans, tomatoes, water and stock. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add spinach, cover, and cook just until wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in sweet potatoes, cilantro, green onions, curry powder, cumin and cinnamon. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Serve over brown rice.

 

Spirit Sunday * Refresh your spirit

What refreshes you?

What allows you to let go of the tension and relax?

What helps you start over with renewed energy and excitement?

What gives you a boost?

Here's a bluesy answer to those questions. If going down to the river doesn't do it for you, then do whatever it is that refreshes your spirit.

//www.marilu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/01 - Going Down To The River.mp3

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World food day

Most of us are here at Marilu.com because we're trying to lose weight or maintain weight in a healthy way. We tend to be focused on ourselves and our own struggles with the abundance of food we have available to us, and the difficult choices that abundance presents.

Most of the people in the world don't have enough to eat. They can't imagine our struggles with abundance.

Today – or this week – take some action to help those who don't have enough food.

Contribute something to your local food shelf (bonus points for calling ahead to see what they need right now).
Send a check to one of the organizations that feeds the hungry around the world. Don't know any organizations? Check out Bread for the World and Heifer International.
Volunteer in a soup kitchen.
Sign a petition that supports ending hunger as a United Nations priority.
Remind your friends and neighbors that they can help, too.

 

Monster mash movie night

Bring back family movie night for Halloween, or anytime in the fall. It's a great time for monster movies. (Don't forget the popcorn!)

Ten monster movies for families *

The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, unrated), Universal

War of the Worlds (1953, unrated), Paramount

King Kong (2005, PG-13 or 1933, unrated), Universal

Little Shop of Horrors (1986, PG-13), Warner Home Video

Monsters vs. Aliens (2009, PG), Columbia Pictures

Ghostbusters (1984, PG), Columbia Pictures

Frankenstein (1931, unrated), Universal

Young Frankenstein (1974, PG), 20th Century Fox

Monsters, Inc. (2001, G), Disney/Pixar

Cloverfield (2007, PG-13), Paramount

 

Fitness fun * For the family

Instead of buying your child another video game for a holiday or birthday gift, how about a basketball, soccer ball, tennis racket, baseball, jump rope, inline skates, skateboard, or any sporting equipment that may spark some interest in physical activity.

Pick something you'd be interested in, too – so you can have fun together! (Also works for grandchildren, nieces & nephews, and – surprise – partners!)

Don't just talk the talk about fitness. Make sure you walk the walk (or skate the skate, or run the run, or play the play). Your actions speak louder than words. Especially when your words are about action.

 

Tell 'em you love 'em

Sometimes we forget to tell the people we love how much we love them, and how much we appreciate their love in return. Give your loved ones a hug today – or if you can't touch them, give them a call.

There's nothing more important.

Then? Get moving.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of the ones you love. Encourage them to join you.

//www.marilu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/09 How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By Y.mp3

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