Embrace Your Heart Blog

"Greene" eggs for these fools

 

As you might remember from last year's post, the Greene family enjoys April Fool's Day!

This year the girls, now seven, are beginning to catch on. Gracie spotted the green eggs going into the pan and announced,

"I'm not eating that!"

She had a few bites, as did Callie -- who more enjoyed the leftover spaghetti shoved into her slippers (she has some in her hand in the picture above).

Why do we love April Fool's Day so much? Because it is fun to cut loose and be silly every once and a while.  Clay works hard, and has to be serious much of the day, but this morning he got dressed up, pulled gags on his daughters, ate green eggs and laughed his bootie off!

It just doesn't get better than that!

So, don't wait for next April Fool's Day to have a good laugh or put a smile on your face. Do something unexpected.  Laugh and your heart grows younger!

Got a great April Fool's story? Add your comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to help busy women lead healthier lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Good Health is a Journey

Are you prepared for the journey of a healthy lifestyle?

Good health isn't a destination.

You can't develop good strategies and then one day say,

"There, I did it.  I'm healthy.
Now I can stop!"

Developing good habits for a lifetime is the key to maintaining a body capable of taking you where you want to go. The good things you do for yourself now will pay off down the road as well. 

Studies show maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding fat around your middle significantly decreases your risk of dementia as you age. For more information and tips to reduce belly fat read my article at MyHealthyHeartInfo.com.

Maintaining positive relationships and managing your stress reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer and depression.

Active people live longer and are more healthy as they age.

What are you doing today to prepare for the road ahead?

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Healthy Irish Stew

Looking for a healthier way to celebrate this St Patrick's Day?  Check out one of our family favorites:

Healthier Irish Stew
Serves 8

By using beer and Mrs. Dash seasoning, this recipe cuts the salt while loading up on those healthy root vegetables.

3T Olive Oil
2 pounds boneless lamb (shoulder or steak) cut into bite-sized pieces
4T whole wheat flour
3T Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning or Steak Grilling Blend
3 Cups Guinness (or other stout beer)
3 large leeks, white part cut into rings
4 parsnips, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
8 carrots, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 turnip, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
3 potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 slice of heavy whole-grain bread
1T spicy, brown or horseradish mustard

Preheat oven to 325

Dredge lamb in mixture of flour and Mrs. Dash seasoning.
In a dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid, brown dredged lamb in olive oil.  When brown, add leeks, parsnips, carrots, turnip and potatoes and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly.

Pour in beer and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits.

Spread mustard on one side of the bread and place it, mustard-side-down, on top of the stew.  Cover tightly and place in oven for 90 minutes.

Stir well to mix in the softened bread, serve with left over bread and a salad.

For more healthy St. Pat's recipe ideas check out EatingWell.com

Have a Happy & Healthy St. Patrick's Day!

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Lance Armstrong Supports Breathe Free Wisconsin Act

Guess who is coming to Madison to help Wisconsin pass a statewide clean-indoor air act?

YES!  Lance Armstong!!!

“Smoking is the leading avoidable cause of cancer,” said Lance Armstrong, Founder and Chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “That’s why the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act is so important to the people of this great state.  I urge Wisconsin legislators to support the health of their voters and pass this life-saving bill.” 

While a majority of Wisconsin citizens support the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act, and Governor Doyle has been a strong supporter, the legislature has yet to send him a bill to sign.

On the Assembly side, a committee hearing tomorrow should be enough to send the bill to the floor for a vote.  However, even though the  Senate  Committee approved the bill, and there are enough votes to pass it, the Senate bill is being held hostage by Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston.

Decker will not allow the bill to go to the floor for a vote unless it is changed to allow unacceptable compromises that would roll back local smoke-free ordinances. 

It is time to send a clear message to our legislators.  We want the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act passed before they end this session.

Please join me, and Lance, at the

Citizens for Smoke Free Air Rally
Tuesday, March 4th
10:30 - 12:00 Registration, Training & Box Lunch Pick up               
12:00pm-1:00 Rally at the Monona Terrace, One John Nolan Drive, Madison
1:00 - 3:00 Legislative Office Visits

Need a lift?  Free buses will depart from: LaCrosse, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Wausau & Milwaukee

To RSVP for the event and to reserve your free lunch, contact
Martha at (262) 523-5527 / e-mail Martha.Baxter@cancer.org
or register on the web at www.itstimewisconsin.org

I hope to see you there!

Help Us Make A Difference

Celebrate Heart Month with a donation in honor of someone you love to the American Heart Association.

Our family is participating in Jump Rope for Heart at the girls' school.  Grace and Callie say it best...

The American Heart Association makes a difference everyday in the fight against heart disease.  You may have noticed changes in school lunches, the types of foods sold on campus and even what is in "kid" foods at the grocery store.  These changes are due to the work the AHA continues to do as part of the Collalition for a Healthier Generation.

Please help us make a difference by making a donation.  Our event is February 19th.  Thanks!

You're My Super Ball Contest

Celebrate that great friend who gives you so much energy by entering her in the You're My Super Ball Contest.

Watch Eliz explain the Super Ball...

Make a comment below by February 14th and include:
Your first name.
Your Super Ball's first name.
How she makes your life better.

The best stories will chosen by a crack panel of Super Ball experts (Patty & Eliz) on February 15th.

Winners and their Super Balls will receive a limited edition Embrace Your Heart Indulgence Kit with supplies for a candle-lit bubble bath and, of course, chocolate!

Celebrate your Super Ball!

Celebrate Your Super Balls!

Every woman needs a Super Ball!

The phone rings, you check the caller ID and smile.  It's her, the one friend you can count on to make you feel good, safe, valued, and you can't wait to begin.

Who is your Super Ball? 

In my program "Why Women Have Balls" I discuss the importance of nurturing your friendships.

Super Balls are  female friends who give back as much energy and enthusiasm as you give to them.  A study conducted at UCLA indicates women who maintain positive friendships live longer, are more healthy, and have better coping skills.

Celebrate the Super Balls in your life this month.  Call her up and make her day.  Thank her for all the ways she makes your life better.  Make some time to spend together.

Better yet, tell us about your Super Ball and perhaps win some great prizes for you both!  Give us one good example of how your Super Ball makes you a healthier, more well balanced person in the comment section of this post.

Don't have a Super Ball?  Look around, she's probably there, but your busy life got in the way.  Make time to reconnect with old friends or reach out to new ones.  Your heart will thank you!

Oh, and don't forget to be a Super Ball for your friends too!

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

My Smoke Free Story

Wisconsin is in a fight for clean indoor air and our family is on the front lines.  Please visit MySmokeFreeStory.com to see the video about our second-hand smoke story, the stories of others and join the efforts to make our state the next to be smoke-free.

Thanks!

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Indulge Your Valentine

Give your Valentine a heart healthy gift.

 Your Valentine's heart yearns for indulgence.

Give your Valentine...

A Treat.
Indulge your Valentine with the
Wine and Chocolate Stress Remedy:
Select a small amount of decadent chocolate to savor slowly such as  such as the Valentines Day Selections from Woodhouse Chocolate.  We received a selection at Christmas and my mouth waters just thinking about it. Get comfy, enjoy some chocolate and some red wine. Unwind together, talk about what is good in your lives and breathe.

A Break.
Encourage your Valentine to take sometime to relax with something such as the Pamper Me Gift Set which includes supplies for a lovely bath and a deck of cards with 52 Ways to Pamper Yourself.

Sleep.
Give something cozy to relax in from Pajama Gram.  They come in a delightful hat box with a "Do Not Disturb" sign!  They have men's pajamas too which come in a travel case. 

Give your Valentine (or yourself) the gift of indulgence.

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com

Valentine Tips for Kids

Avoid the sugar overload!

For most people, Valentines Day brings up memories of candy hearts, chocolates and heart shaped cookies. 

While these treats are fun, indulging children (and ourselves) in all of them can be just too much. 

Choose one luscious treat and then use some of the tips below to make your kids' Valentines Day healthy and fun. 

Give non-food treats:
Stickers, pencils, erasers, friendship bracelets, or small craft projects can be fun alternatives.

Get them moving:
    Play some fun games such as:

Balloon relays with heart-shaped balloons
Pin the arrow on the heart
Beanbags tick tack toe with hugs (O's) and kisses (X's) 

Pack in some healthy treats:

Fruit - Strawberries and raspberries are especially festive
Heart-shaped cutout sandwiches: try peanut butter* or low-fat cheese
Pretzels, crackers or cereal - or make a snack mix and include some raisins

*Please be sure to check for food allergies and age appropriate foods

Skip the soda:

Make a festive beverage with 100% fruit juice and sparkling water, or try Izzy as a soda alternative.

Focus on fun rather than food and make this Valentines Day great!

Remember to give your heart (and your kids' heart) the gift of grow foods.

Please add your suggestions or comments below!

Eliz Greene is a heart attack survivor, author and nationally known speaker on a mission to encourage women to recognize heart disease as their most serious health threat and provide down-to-earth strategies for active and healthy lives.  Learn more about Eliz and the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com