We ❤ Cooking!
February is Heart Month — we focus on heart health, and of course celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas to consider…
Cook with LOVE
What gets your heart pumping in the kitchen? Do you love trying a new recipe, or finding comfort in the dishes you know by heart? Do you play music and dance around? Is meal prep time to connect with your family members, or is it me-time? There are no right or wrong answers. But if you discover what you love about being in the kitchen, then you’re more likely to spend time cooking – for yourself, your family, your community.
For me, I love to riff on recipes I’ve read. I don’t usually “follow” a recipe, so much as take inspiration from many recipes. I love to watch a show on my ipad with my airpods in. (Airpods changed my kitchen life – have you ever tried cooking while tethered to computer?) And it is usually me-time at the end of the day. But if my kids want something different than what I’m cooking, the kitchen is suddenly packed with four people right before we sit down!
Remember, the most important ingredient is always….LOVE.
Consider your ❤ health
You know that there is connection with what you eat and how your body feels. Your heart is the organ that pumps blood throughout your body. If you keep your heart healthy, you add years and years to your life – more graduations and weddings, vacations with grandchildren, time to pursue adventures and spend time with friends. Eating nutritious food doesn’t limit you to handfuls of alfalfa sprouts. Meals that are good for your body are colorful and flavorful!
Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables – bonus: shop at your local farmers market for peak freshness and maximum variety
Choose healthy proteins – fish, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds. Eggs are OK, too.
The plant world provides plenty of delicious fats that make your meals tasty – olive oil, sesame oil, avocados, nuts and seeds
Limit your salt intake, and choose herbs and spices instead. (Just make sure you’re using garlic powder and not garlic salt!)
Valentine Makeover
Valentine’s Day does not have to be fueled by chocolates and sugary heart-shaped candies. Show everyone how much you LOVE them with heart-healthy, fun, creative treats!
Crepes with a huge pile of fresh strawberries. Pro tip: Before you start the crepes, wash and slice the berries. In a bowl, toss the berries with a dash of sugar, and a few drops of balsamic vinegar. The sugar will pull the liquid from the berries; the liquid will mix with the balsamic vinegar and create a sauce for the berries.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. For extra heart-health, use just enough cheese to “glue” the slices of bread together. Bonus points for cutting the sandwiches into heart shapes!
Strawberry salsa – this might sound crazy, but try making salsa with diced strawberries instead of tomatoes! Toss together finely diced strawberries, peppers, onion and cilantro. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt and pepper bring all the flavors together! [source: GimmeSomeOven]
