Keith Ahrens

Saturated fats are the biggest cause of high LDL “bad cholesterol” levels. Read labels, pay close attention to the percentage of saturated fat and avoid or limit any foods that are high. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream, cream, and fatty meats. They are also found in SOME vegetable oils — coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils. – Keith

Contributed by Bertie B.

Ingredients:

Steal cut oats are the best
Dried apricot
Diced apple
Raisins
Flaxseed
Wheat germ
Chopped walnuts or almonds
Cinnamon
Blueberries
Honey

Instructions:

Just follow directions on the package, then I throw in all kinds of different things to make it even more heart healthy. I’ll cut up little pieces of dried apricots and cook it with the oats… maybe 12 of them for a serving of four. I’ll often add just a few pieces of cut up apple and maybe 3/4 of C. of raisins. After it’s all done and in my bowl.. I’ll add 1T ground flaxseed, 1T wheat germ, a fist full of chopped up walnuts or slivered almonds, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and then 1t blueberries. The blueberries sweeten the oatmeal enough or a spoonful of honey – so you don’t need any sugar.

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It’s estimated that only 10{1ee8873d3da54571ef77633feec9b2f18618b0dba2f28faf42edb28003d1c6f7} of the population will not develop risk factors for heart disease.  This is one time I really wish I wasn’t following the crowd.  – Keith

Think of the ones you love.  If you were to see them just one more time, what would you say to them?  Say it the next time you talk to them.  – Keith

Studies have shown a strong connection between water intake and our heart health. Letting the body get dehydrated could be as hard on the heart as not getting enough exercise, eating poorly, and smoking.  Plain water absorbs quickly in the bloodstream which can help naturally thin the blood which helps to prevent artery-clogging clots.  – Keith

Contributed by Bertie B.

Ingredients:

hard boiled egg
peanut butter (no salt added)
pumpkin seeds (unsalted)

Instructions:

Take a hard boiled egg, cut it in half remove the yolk, spoon in just enough all natural no salt added peanut butter and sprinkle with no salt pumpkin seeds, it’s heart healthy!

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Another opportunity for a Heart Healthy month is here.  Did you accomplish your goals last month?  We start with a clean slate today.  Challenge yourself to improve your heart health this month.  Make the commitment today.  – Keith