Tuesday, 31 January 2023

A heart-healthy exercise plan for February

January 31, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

Three EMTs were fired yesterday for their "actions or inactions" when they responded to the police beating of Tyre Nichols in Memphis. Plus, the entertainment world mourns the death of "Laverne & Shirley" star Cindy Williams at 75, and we have a new Start TODAY workout program for February focused on heart-healthy exercises.

The Latest

3 EMTs were fired for their response to the fatal police beating of Tyre Nichols.

Three EMTs were fired yesterday after an internal investigation found they violated multiple department policies and protocols with their "actions or inactions" in response to the fatal beating of motorist Tyre Nichols on Jan. 7, the Memphis Fire Department said. The investigation found that two of the EMTs "failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment" of Nichols after arriving on the scene. Officials found that Nichols was not treated and taken to a hospital for 27 minutes after the EMTs arrived. Nichols died three days later from his injuries. Seven police officers have since been relieved of duty, including five who have been charged with second-degree murder. Here is the latest.

Cindy Williams, one of the stars of 'Laverne & Shirley,' dies at 75.

Cindy Williams, who played the straight-laced Shirley in the hit sitcom "Laverne & Shirley" from 1976 to 1983, has died at 75, her family confirmed yesterday. Williams and co-star Penny Marshall, who died in 2018, played roommates who work at a brewery in late '50s Milwaukee. Williams (above, right) also starred in the critically acclaimed films "American Graffiti" and "The Conversation" in the 1970s. "She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved," her two children said in a statement.

👶 How do you know if you're ready to have kids? One Twitter thread has the answers.

It's one of life's weightiest questions — how do you know if you're ready to have children? One Ohio woman, Carissa Caples, 25, wanted some specifics before making her decision, so she asked people on Twitter how they knew they were in a good place to have kids. She made sure to add the caveat that they couldn't answer "no one is fully ready," writing she would like "goalposts" to shoot for. Caples, who has been married for three years and does not have children, received a host of thoughtful responses, with people specifying when they felt financially secure enough to have their first child as well as information on insurance and the psychological impact of pregnancy or infertility. See all the responses here. And if you're considering having children, here are 5 questions to ask yourself before getting pregnant.

💗 25 Valentine's Day gifts to show everyone some love — including yourself.

Just a friendly reminder that Valentine's Day is only two weeks from today! If it hasn't crossed your mind yet, our Shop TODAY team has dozens of ideas to help you get started. We have 25 Valentine's Day gift ideas, including pajamas, lipstick, pet accessories, candles and hoodies, for everyone from that special someone to family members to yourself. Shop them all here.

Live Better TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

February is American Heart Month, when the spotlight is turned on heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. That's why this month's Start TODAY workout plan focuses on heart-healthy strength exercises for all fitness levels. For the next 28 days, you will be strength training 3-4 times a week, broken up by walking (or another cardio activity) on your non-strength days. To start, try these 15 strength exercises, and, on off days, aim for 20-30 minutes of cardio — like walking outdoors or on a treadmill, biking or swimming. Plus, check out our Start TODAY meal plan for healthy, balanced recipes.

What's for dinner?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Our 5 recipes to try this week not only include simple dishes for a quick weeknight meal, they also let you get a jump on taste-testing some Super Bowl snacks you might bring to the party next month. A staple of any big game celebration, this one-pot queso dip (above) is a balance of cheddar, veggies and a little hot pepper that can be poured over nachos or served as a dip. We also have mini BBQ meatballs, Buffalo chicken flatbread and more. Get the recipes here.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

When you only have so much time with the boys during your weekly meetup at the local bar, you have to get right down to business. One man has taken dad efficiency to a new level by bringing a printed agenda, complete with bullet points of conversation topics, to his "board meeting" with his friends for a few cold ones every Friday. His daughter tweeted a photo of a recent list, which included topics like "Bud vs. Bud Light," "the never ending Aaron Rodgers saga," and made sure to allot time for "general discussion." The man's daughter, who goes by Kenzi on Twitter, later tweeted that when she told him TODAY had posted about his agendas on Instagram, he replied, "I don't have instant gram." This only makes us want to get an invite to the weekly "board meeting" even more.