How do you take care of your heart?

We all try and take care of ourselves, for our families, for our future, for life. What do you do to take good care of your heart?

Tags: health, heart

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Permalink Reply by Deb Bixler on March 3, 2010 at 10:52am

I taught 3 cooking classes in February about heart health, so I do have some answers to this. These are the top foods for a healthy heart.

Oats = fiber
Salmon = omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants
Avocado = lower LDL, raise HDL
Olive Oil = same as above
Nuts = omega 3, fiber, good fats
Dark Berries = anti-inflammatory, antioxidants
Legumes = fiber, omega 3, calcium
Spinach = lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber
Flax Seed = fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Soy = lean protein, low in saturated fats

Here is a heart healthy oat pilaf. It includes three of the top 10 heart healthy foods. Oats do not need to be only breakfast foods. Try this instead of rice to improve the whole family's heart:

Colorful Oat Pilaf

Ingredients

½ cup chopped red bell pepper
½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
½ cup green onions-sliced end to end
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-3/4 cups old fashioned oats, uncooked
2 egg whites or 1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil leaves
½ cup black beans-drained and washed
S&P

1. In a skillet, cook peppers until vegetables are crisp-tender. In large bowl, mix oats and egg whites until oats are evenly coated. Add oats to vegetable mixture in skillet.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until oats are dry and separated. Add all other ingredients. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Serve immediately.

Check out this cool heart healthy graphic and some other simple hearth healthy switeroos at: Free Heart Healthy Recipes

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Permalink Reply by Erin Boudreau on March 4, 2010 at 12:40pm

Exercise. Or, I try to, anyways. My mom has recently been diagnosed with some heart problems, so lately I've been actively trying to be healthier--eating better too!