For Valentine's Day... Think Outside the Chocolate Box!

February is not only the month to celebrate L-O-V-E, but it also American Heart Month. More than 70 million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease and this remains the leading cause of death in the United States. For most people, heart disease is preventable. One of the most effective ways to prevent it is through the diet! With this in mind, you can see why it is so important to make this year about loving your heart and soul. With a few small changes to traditional gifts and healthful choices you can celebrate a Valentine’s Day from the heart that’s also good for your heart!


Instead of giving the traditional gift of chocolates and candy, try giving your loved ones a beautiful basket filled with dried fruits and nuts or an assortment of herbal teas with honey sticks. Another wonderful gift is a membership to a gym, a month with a personal trainer, or even something they might not think about like a series of yoga classes or belly dancing classes. Focus on health rather than indulgence. When it comes time for the romantic dinner that you and your loved one share on Valentine’s Day, choose foods that are heart healthy: salmon- a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein; spinach and other leafy green vegetables- rich in phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals; tofu- rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals (soy protein has been shown to help reduce LDL cholesterol)… try a new vegetarian restaurant for a change. Keep your love alive and your blood flowing… they say that experimentation keeps love fresh. Try this experiment, go for a walk as a family in the morning, schedule your annual physical (more than one-third of people with high blood pressure do not know that they have it), have a heart healthful dinner and send a gift other than chocolate to your loved one. “Variety is the spice of life”

Heart Healthy Bean Dip

Ingredients
1 can (15 ounces) white (cannellini) beans or 1 can garbanzo beans (or a combination of the two), rinsed and drained
8 garlic cloves, roasted**
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for roasting garlic)
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions
In a blender or food processor, add the beans, roasted garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.

Serve with cut belle pepper stips or cut up carrots; pita chips or pita bread, on a sandwich or wrap... the sky's the limit!

**To roast garlic, cut off the tops of several heads of garlic exposing the cloves. Brush the tops generously with olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil also brushed with olive oil. Heat the oven to 350 F and roast about 30 minutes.

Love Your Heart!

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Every year since its congressional approval in 1963, the President has issued a proclamation to this effect, to help raise public awareness of heart disease. Even though most people associate heart disease with men, it's also the leading cause of death among women. To raise awareness about heart disease and women, the American Heart Association's Go Red campaign aims to help women take action against heart disease.

Here are some ideas to keep your heart in tip-top shape:
• Limit your intake of fat
• Choose heart-healthy fats (think avocado, olive oil and nuts) over saturated fats and trans fats (in processed and baked good, animal fat and dairy products)
• Limit your intake of sugars, especially refined sugar
• Limit your intake of sodium/salt
• Choose more whole grains, legumes, fresh produce and low fat dairy products
• Choose lean meat and poultry
• Include fish in your diet
• Control portions and moderate food choices
• Become physically active for 30 to 60 minutes a day
• Stop smoking
• Limit your intake of alcohol