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.