Marilu Henner's Blog, page 220

Get your zzzz's

If someone told you that you could look younger, feel better, boost your energy level, and keep yourself healthy, wouldn't you want to know how to do that? It's simple, it's cheap, and it's as easy as getting a good night's sleep.

~ Marilu Henner, Total Health Makeover , page 148

 

What is a good night's sleep? It's probably between 6-9 hours long (and that depends on your body, so be honest when you think about it). It's uninterrupted – by sound, light, temperature, and needing to go to...

Summer classes at Marilu.com

Online classes at Marilu.com are for members only. Just become a member and all classes are included! Even our ongoing 30-day Total Health Makeover® class that starts every Monday. Once you're a member, check out the Member Message Boards (log in and check the Community tab). On the first day of class, you'll get an email with all the class info. It's that simple!

Here's what's coming up this summer…

JUNE
Summer Fit + Style
Monday, June 7 through Sunday, June 13 with Coach Beth Miriam
Look ...

Featured recipe from Marilu's table * Pasta primavera

Family-friendly pasta topped with a few vegetables is perfect for a lighter summer meal.

If your kids are young, chop the veggies in smaller pieces. Kids don't like to eat veggies that fill their mouths – they like small bites. It's a small thing that makes a big difference when feeding your children.

Remember, you can always add chopped greens when cooking the vegetables, to add more nutrients (and build on the "there's green stuff in everything, so it's never weird" plan).

~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Pasta...

Family memorial

This summer, you may be seeing older relatives and in-laws at various family events. Instead of rolling your eyes or tuning them out, listen to their stories. Ask for details. Write down what they're saying – or better yet, record them (audio only, or video!). You don't need fancy equipment – a webcam or the camera/recorder in your phone will work just fine.

Think about the questions you have for them about their lives – where they lived, what they did all day, what they ate. Ask what...

Take a moment to remember…

Take a moment to remember those who have died in service to their country today. It's Memorial Day in the US, but wherever country you are from, take a moment to remember.

 

Spirit Sunday * Say thank you

Call or write five people today and say thank you.

We all have those people in our lives to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. Pick up the phone, pop an email, or use good old-fashioned snail mail to send a card.

Don't keep your gratitude to yourself. Let people know what they mean to you.

 

Next online class starts June 7

Turn up the heat this summer with a whole new look!

Do you have a special event to attend this summer?

Has your weight changed – but you still need to change sizes or styles?

Are you trying to figure out what new styles and trends will work for you?

Join Coach Beth Miriam in our next class, all about clothing, fashion, and presentation. Find your style, learn about fit, figure out what works for you – all with the help of a wardrobe expert.

Class starts right here at Marilu.com on Monday...

Healthy kids come from healthy homes

Make mealtime family time and set a good example. Turn off the television and try to eat at least one meal a day together as a family. Children tend to eat more fruits and vegetables when they watch adults and older siblings do the same (without complaining) at shared meals.

Get the family involved in meal planning and preparation. Set guidelines for healthy meals and ask each family member to select a meal for the week by leafing through magazines, recipe books, or browsing online for...

Fitness Friday * Say "sshhhhhhhh"

As you say it, put your hands on your stomach and feel the contraction. That's your transverse abdominus and diaphragm contracting, creating tension in the core and strengthening your extremities.

The louder your "sshhh," the better. Use it when you're strength training – it's most effective for core stabilization exercises such as squats, push-ups, and Pilates moves.

"Sshhh" also helps you breathe with your abs. Saying "sshhh" oxygenates the body, increases strength, tones abs, and...

Bonus! Featured recipe from Marilu's table * Rice and lentil salad

Today we have a bonus recipe. It's perfect for the holiday weekend when you need a delicious picnic salad (seriously, the potato salad and cole salad and bean salad is getting old). This grain and legume combination works great as a cold dinner entree with some nice sliced tomatoes but it would also make a nice side dish. Take this along when you're invited to a summer party, and you'll always have something filling to eat.

Variations: Add one shredded carrot, or 1 small diced zucchini...