I have sort of a passion for heart health awareness. Heart health that we can control and the diseases we can't. Our oldest son, Nathaniel, was born with congenital heart disease. He underwent his first open heart surgery when he was six days old, then another at 9 months old and then another a month before he turned 3. He also had several (by several I mean 13) heart catheterizations. Nathaniel laughed, smiled, played and enjoyed life. Though is life was short. He passed away 5 years ago, just a few months past age 3. Just looking at Nathaniel you would never know anything was wrong. He was the happiest child I have ever seen and that includes his siblings.
Though, at this moment in life, I am not the most gleaming example of health (I'm working on it), I do believe that people should be more heart health conscience, hence the Great Slim Down of '09. Especially women, we have a tendency to focus on everything and everyone else, while heart disease is the leading killer among women today.
So I decided that I would post a heart healthy tip or recipe everyday of the month of February, along with my usually stellar posts!
Today's tip~~Be sure to include dark leafy veggies in your diet. Arugula, Spinach, Kale, Mustard Greens, Chicory and Collard Greens are some to try. They make a great side dish or slip them into a pasta dish for a new twist on things. They are a great source of vitamin A, C, fiber and calcium. The darker the leaves the more nutrient rich.
Also during the month many retailers help out the American Heart Association by asking patrons to add a dollar to their bill. I encourage everyone to do that at least once. It's only a dollar and it goes to research. I can't help but think that it was someone's dollar(s) that helped get the information and technology that helped Nathaniel live as long as he did and as well as he did.
Nathaniel~~age 2 He loved being silly and smiley.
~~The tips I am posting are things I have collected over the years. If it isn't mine then I will credit where it came from.
