Heart Happiness

Chocolate

Keep blood pressure low and help cut the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease by adding foods like chocolate, bananas, beans and figs to your diet.

Bananas

Beans

Figs

Persimmon

        A persimmon is an edible fruit. It is generally light yellow orange or dark orange red in color.

It's either acorn or pumpkin shaped. Persimmons are high in glucose, with a balanced protein profile.

There are different types of persimmons grown in different countries.

For instance there is the "Japanese persimmon" also known as the "kaki", which is sweet and slightly tangy in flavor.

The "American persimmon", native to the United States has one of the highest amounts of vitamin C compared to some of the others grown elsewhere.

The "velvet apple" is native to the Philippines. when ripened, this type of persimmons turns bright red.

It's also native to China, where it is known as the "shizi"

Less Commonly available is the "chocolate persimmon", known for it's dark brown flesh. Maru sold as "Cinnamon persimmons" has a spicy flavor and Hykume is sold as "brown sugar".

Culinary uses;

Persimmons are eaten fresh, dried, or cooked.

When eaten fresh, it is cut and peeled, then made into quarters. It can also be enjoyed whole like an apple.

Walnuts & sun dried tomato pasta

Here's a great vegan recipe, that's tasty and has offers a good amount of protein as well.

Ingredients;

1 package whole grain pasta

Extra virgin olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, minced

1 tbs of dried basil, or 1/2 cup of fresh chopped basil

1/2 cup of  pinto or pink beans(cooked)

1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes

1/3 cup of chopped walnuts

Crushed red pepper, heat to your liking (optional)

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta as directed on the package.

Meanwhile, heat a good amount of olive oil(about 6 tbs) in a skillet. 

Once heated add chopped garlic for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add cooked pasta to the oil and garlic, including a bit of reserved pasta water, about 1/3 cup or less.

Add the remaining ingredients and toss well. Continue to toss over heat until well mixed and heated through. If pasta seems a bit dry, add more olive oil and toss again.

Serve immediately.

Walnuts

Nuts give both sweet and savory dishes flavor and some heart healthy benefits.

Walnuts contain the highest amounts of omega-3s out of all other nut, making the walnut a great defender against heart disease. Their stores of fiber and unsaturated fat helps to lower bad cholesterol.

Keep shelled nuts stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage and preserve taste.

The mind contains all possibilities.

Buddha

Vegetables that are in season all winter

During the winter many of us avoid the farmer's market thinking we won't find fresh in season produce there.

The fact is that long after the blueberries are gone, there is still a variety of vitamin packed vegetables to choose from all winter long. 

Some great choices are sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, brussel sprouts and winter squash.

Not only are they full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, they also fight against disease.

Here's a simple roasted vegetable recipe, that goes perfect along side many main dishes.

Ingredients;

10 brussel sprouts, halved

2 large beets, sliced

2 medium parsnips, chopped

3 medium carrots. chopped

Extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt

Black pepper

1 tbs thyme

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tbs rosemary

Preheat oven to 450.

Place all chopped vegetables on a large baking sheet.

Drizzle a good amount of olive oil over the vegetables.

Add the herbs.

Season with sea salt and pepper.

Toss well and roast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.

Serve with your favorite main dish.

Produce

Onions, garlic, asparagus, artichokes, and banannas are packed with a sugar compound that boosts levels of "good" bacteria in the colon to ease constipation.

Honey for Stomach Flu

There's now a new and tastier way to get rid of the stomach flu and that's with honey.

Recent studies show that those who had one tsp of honey, while sick with the stomach flu, had much less vomiting and diarrhea. They also recovered 1 day faster than those who did not take honey during their stomach bug.

Next time your feeling sick try a teaspoon of honey in your tea, on toast, or take it alone.

Every wakeful step, every mindful act is the direct path to awakening, wherever you go, there you are.

Buddha

Winter's Harvest

It may be the heart of winter, but there are still plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy.

Here's some great winters picks.

Apples, tangerines, radishes, oranges, pomegranates, leeks, oranges, carrots, kale, pineapples and turnips.

Avocado Salad

Ingredients;

2 ripe avocado,sliced and peeled

The juice from 1 fresh lime

1/3 cup of fresh chopped cilantro

Sea salt to taste

Extra virgin olive oil

Place sliced avocado on a medium plate. Add the rest of the ingredients and drizzle olive oil over the top. Toss lightly.

Serve immediately.