Heart Health 101

What is heart disease? According to Medical News Today, “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. and also the leading cause of death worldwide… Heart disease is a term used to describe several conditions, many of which are related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries. As the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow, this makes it more difficult for blood to flow and creates a risk for heart attack or stroke.” Now that we are all clear on that, you may be asking yourself how this relates to you. Let’s move on to discuss who is at higher risk for heart disease. eatingwell.com is a great resource for recipes. Here are a few breakfast options: White Bean and Avocado Toast - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261611/white-bean-avocado-toast/ Crispy Potato Stacks with Sage - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260977/crispy-potato-stacks-with-fresh-sage/ Pumpkin Pie Smoothie - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260736/pumpkin-pie-smoothie/ Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260722/oatmeal-raisin-granola-bars/ For many of us, lunch is a quick, on-the-go meal, and we often find ourselves reaching for unhealthy options to satiate our hunger. In an effort to protect your heart, it is important to plan ahead for lunchtime meals so that you can be sure you are eating heart-healthy for every meal. Here are a few for you: Roasted Veggie and Hummus Pita Pockets - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261292/roasted-veggie-hummus-pita-pockets/Citrus-Lime Tofu Bowl - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262094/citrus-lime-tofu-salad/Zucchini Noodle with Chicken - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262112/zucchini-noodle-salad-with-chicken/Mixed Greens with Lentils and Apple -http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259816/mixed-greens-with-lentils-sliced-apple/From this list, what do you think you’d try first?! Whole Heart Lunch For many of us, lunch is a quick, on-the-go meal, and we often find ourselves reaching for unhealthy options to satiate our hunger. In an effort to protect your heart, it is important to plan ahead for lunchtime meals so that you can be sure you are eating heart-healthy for every meal. Here are a few for you: Roasted Veggie and Hummus Pita Pockets - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261292/roasted-veggie-hummus-pita-pockets/Citrus-Lime Tofu Bowl - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262094/citrus-lime-tofu-salad/Zucchini Noodle with Chicken - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262112/zucchini-noodle-salad-with-chicken/Mixed Greens with Lentils and Apple -http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259816/mixed-greens-with-lentils-sliced-apple/ Heart Happy Dinner Here are a few recipes here from Eating Well to help you get started with some simple, healthy meals: Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260717/stuffed-sweet-potato-with-hummus-dressing/ Quinoa Taco Salad - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261141/quinoa-cilantro-taco-salad/ Balsamic Chicken - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259721/balsamic-chicken/ Spaghetti Squash Lasagna - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/261796/vegetarian-spaghetti-squash-lasagna/ We’re getting hungry just thinking of these!