Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Twin sisters married twin brothers. Now their kids are twins.

Plus, measles is spreading across the U.S. What to know, and how to identify the symptoms.

March 19, 2024 VIEW IN BROWSER

THIS IS TODAY

What to know about the measles outbreak that has hit 17 states. Plus, a group of dietitians offer their No. 1 nutrition tip, and identical twin couples give birth to rare quaternary twins who are biological siblings.

The Latest

Congress reached a tentative deal to avoid a government shutdown by resolving the Homeland Security bill.

Congressional leaders struck a deal last night on funding the Department of Homeland Security to help avert a government shutdown next weekend, two sources told NBC News. The bill had been a sticking point between Democrats and Republicans regarding the agency's spending priorities related to security at the border. It's highly unusual for Congress to continue haggling over government funding nearly half a year into the fiscal year. Funding for fiscal year 2025 is due by the end of September. Keep reading.

🥦 8 dietitians share their No. 1 nutrition tip.

As part of National Nutrition Month in March, dietitian Natalie Rizzo spoke with a group of her colleagues to get their No. 1 tip for healthy eating and came away with a simple tip: Eat more plants. Altogether, they offered 8 tips to better eating, including following the MyPlate method and keeping things simple.

🤒 What does measles looks like? Know the signs, as the virus hits 17 states.

After being eradicated in the U.S. thanks to vaccines, the measles virus is spreading again in at least 17 states. The CDC has identified 58 measles cases this year, a number that equals all of the cases identified in 2023. As the highly contagious virus continues to spread, being familiar with its rash and other symptoms (along with vaccination) can help keep you safe. Here's everything you need to know about the outbreaks, plus photos of measles rashes.

We're identical twins who married identical twins. Our babies are biological siblings.

Identical twin sisters Venessa and Kerissa Sealby, 28, never thought they would date identical twins until they met twin brothers Lucas and Jacob Sealby in 2020. "As soon as we got in the car, I looked at Kerissa and said, 'I'm calling mom, because I'm marrying that man,'" Venessa said about Lucas. Venessa and Lucas got married in 2022, followed by Kerissa and Jacob in 2023. The twin sisters are now moms whose children are cousins —but also rare genetic full siblings known as quaternary twins. Read more.

Start TODAY

Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips.

If toning your waist is on the to-do list, the oblique muscles are a great place to start. We have 9 oblique exercises for stronger abs and a slimmer waist that you can do at home with no equipment. Russian twists, bicycle crunches and mountain climbers strengthen muscles that will make everyday movements easier. See them demonstrated here.

What's for dinner?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you

Combine the fresh produce of spring with the comfort food of the winter with this spring vegetable pasta casserole from recipe developer Casey Barber. The meal combines healthy veggies like spinach, zucchini and spring onions with ricotta and penne pasta. Putting it together only takes 15 minutes, and the oven does the rest. Get the recipe.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Inspirations themselves, the ladies of TODAY also have been inspired by a special group of women. As part of Women's History Month, 12 women from the TODAY family spoke about the women who have influenced them personally or professionally. See Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, Dylan Dreyer, Sheinelle Jones and more share how women like their mothers, grandmothers, business leaders and friends paved the way for their own success.