February is all about hearts and love. It's American Heart Health Month AND It's Valentine's Day. Show your valentine you really care about his/her heart with meals that make the heart stronger and healthier.... All the better for love. It's amazing what the right food will do for your heart and your love.
For a Valentine celebration, start with a glass of red wine. Next try a tomato and basil treat from Italy called Bruschetta. A glass of red wine (only one, please) has compounds called polyphenols which are associated with reducing the risk of heart disease! Tomatoes and olive oil give you lycopene a natural antioxidant that reduces inflammation and healthy fat that helps lower cholesterol. Healthy is wonderful, but delicious and quick is even better!
Bruschetta Ingredients:
- 2 tomatoes (Roma tomatoes are the best right now)
- ½ onion
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 bunch of fresh basil
- 4 Tablespoons of olive oil
- Loaf of Italian bread
Bruschetta Preparation:
- Dice the tomato, onion, garlic and basil. Mix together with olive oil.
- Cut the bread into ¼ inch thick slices and toast.
- Heap as much of the tomato mixture as you want on each slice of toast.
- Serve and enjoy!
For the main course serve chicken or fish with heart healthy green vegetables like spinach, kale or broccoli. Skip the red meat and broil, bake or steam the chicken or fish. Keep portions moderate. There's nothing romantic about feeling over stuffed after a meal!
Dessert? Of course. It's Valentine's Day. There has to be chocolate!
Impress your loved one with a mouthwatering combo, so delicious it's hard to believe it's loaded with healthy antioxidants that help prevent damage to blood vessels. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Brownies. (See recipe below)
Happy Valentine's Day from Harvest Home. We wish you love and hope you enjoy our delicious ways to get healthier hearts for longer love.
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