February is Heart Health Month

February is Heart Health Month. Celebrate by working on your heart. Here are 10 ideas to get you started.

1. Go with more Grains - More whole grains like whole wheat pasta, brown rice and oatmeal make your diet happy.
   
2. Fruits and Veggies ROCK! - Using these for snacks and dinner are the keys to winning with this combo.
   
3. Hold the Salt - Use herbs for flavor instead and keep sodium under 2400 milligrams/day.
4. Use Those Stairs! - Walk whenever you can. Every mini-session throughout the day helps add up to the recommended 30-minutes.
5. Portion Control - Pasta = 1/2 cup. Ice cream = 1 scoop.
   Small is good. Small is trendy. Small is the new... well, small.
   
6. Counting Calories - Yeah, we all hate this part, but know your limit and stick with it as much as possible.
7. Remember your Omega 3's - These essential fatty acids, found in salmon, trout, herring, sardines and walnuts, can really lower your risk. Try for two times a week.
8. Time for an Oil Change - No, not the car. Switch from butter, margarine, corn and coconut oil to olive oil and canola oil or trans-fat free spreads.
9. Extinguish Your Ciggy - Cigarettes = bad. Duh.
10. Get "Sexy" - Making "whoopie" three times a week can cut your risk of heart attack in half. (!-Hubbies everywhere will rejoice-!)
    

Thank you to The Menu Mom for this wonderful list and reminder. They also have GREAT menus, recipes and articles over there. Check it out.