Eating with heart health on your mind has never tasted so good. While many aspects of life can impact heart health, opting for nutritious foods, such as a Tart Cherry Granola Smoothie Bowl, plays an especially important role.
Go Tart for Your Heart![]() (Family Features) Eating with heart health on your mind has never tasted so good. While many aspects of life can impact heart health, opting for nutritious foods plays an especially important role. “Heart-healthy eating can be delicious and on-trend with vibrant colors and sweet-tart flavors. There are simple ways to add nutrient-rich ingredients to your favorite recipes that add depth of flavor and texture, too,” said Michelle Dudash, registered dietitian. “Packed with beneficial phytonutrients, including anthocyanins, research shows Montmorency tart cherries may help lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation and reduce belly fat – all factors linked to heart disease risk.” Start the day off by blending frozen tart cherries into a Tart Cherry Granola Smoothie Bowl or incorporating dried tart cherries into your favorite trail mix when it’s time for a snack. This heart-healthy, ruby-red fruit has a distinct sweet-tart taste that makes an easy addition to a variety of dishes and is available year-round in dried, frozen, juice and concentrate forms. To learn more about the health benefits of Montmorency tart cherries and find more delicious recipes, visit ChooseCherries.com. Recipe courtesy of Sonja Overhiser of A Couple Cooks on behalf of the Cherry Marketing Institute Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Servings: 2 Granola:
Smoothie Bowl:
Note: Granola can be stored in air-tight container up to 1 month. To make smoothie bowl: Blend together tart cherries, lemon juice, maple syrup, banana and almond milk. If necessary, add additional milk for a smoother consistency. Serve smoothie in bowl with 1/4 cup tart cherry granola. SOURCE:Cherry Marketing Institute
It’s true that classics never go out of style, but they can also evolve to keep current while still maintaining their original appeal. One updated idea is for stuffed peppers, such as with this recipe for Southwestern Bean Salad Stuffed Peppers.A Classic Recipe Makeover![]() (Family Features) It’s true that classics never go out of style, but they can also evolve to keep current while still maintaining their original appeal. For example, take the iconic tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich duo. Today’s tomato soup might be seasoned with herbs and garlic, and the grilled cheese might swap goat cheese and mozzarella for the traditional American or cheddar. Meatloaf could be prepared with sriracha replacing Worcestershire sauce or other seasonings. Another updated idea is for stuffed peppers. It’s easy to give them a Tex-Mex spin simply by using a can of READ Southwestern Bean Salad as the base for the filling. The salad already has black and kidney beans, hominy and corn in it, as well as a slightly spicy dressing. Build on that flavorful combination by adding browned ground beef or turkey, cheese and tortilla chips. Poblano peppers could be substituted for bell peppers for an even more authentic south-of-the-border flair. While this meal in a pepper bakes, make a salad of spinach or other greens topped with avocado slices and orange segments. Dinner is done and on the table in under an hour. For more easy, flavorful dinner ideas, visit READsalads.com. Southwestern Bean Salad Stuffed Peppers
Variation: Ground chicken or turkey breast may be substituted for ground beef. Add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil to skillet and heat until hot before adding ground chicken or turkey and onion to skillet. Nutritional information per serving: 252 calories; 15 g protein; 20 g carbohydrate; READ
If you’re having trouble getting started, or even sticking to, a healthy eating regimen, you may be surprised that one highly effective practice doesn’t require counting calories or hours of exercise. You simply need to plan out your meals and include tasty recipes like these Quinoa Lentil Tacos.Eat Healthy with Easy Meal-Planning Tricks![]() (Family Features) If you’re having trouble getting started, or even sticking to, a healthy eating regimen, you may be surprised that one highly effective practice doesn’t require counting calories or hours of exercise. You simply need to plan out your meals. When hunger strikes, it’s tempting to grab the fastest, easiest-to-make food available, but that’s rarely the best choice for your health. Planning your meals encourages you to invest in better-for-you options ahead of time and reduces food waste, while saving significant time and money in the long-term. If you don’t know where to start, follow these easy tips to help make meal planning a breeze:
![]() Quinoa Lentil Tacos
ALDI
Anything is possible when you have the energy to take on the day. Protein shakes have grown in popularity because they’re a convenient and healthy way to curb hunger and give your body sustained energy. Plus, they can give your favorite recipes a protein boost, like with these recipes for Old-Fashioned Caramel Cinnamon Rolls, Orange and Vanilla Butternut Squash Soup, Twice-Baked Sweet and Savory Potatoes, and Double Chocolate Breakfast Bread Pudding.
Protein Power
When choosing a shake, look for an option such as Premier Protein Shakes, which can help provide fuel to make the day yours with sweet and savory recipes from cinnamon rolls and bread pudding to soups and twice-baked potatoes. Each single-serve, 160-calorie shake is packed with 30 grams of protein, is low in fat and contains just 1 gram of sugar. Explore more energy-boosting recipes plus nutrition facts and tips at PremierProtein.com or Facebook.com/PremierProtein. Old-Fashioned Caramel Cinnamon Rolls Rolls:
Glaze:
![]() Orange and Vanilla Butternut Squash Soup
![]() Twice-Baked Sweet and Savory Potatoes
![]() Double Chocolate Breakfast Bread Pudding
Premier Protein
If you’re looking for an easy way to celebrate with family and friends, brunch is a perfect option. This Eggs Benedict with Duck Bacon recipe feeds a crowd and is ready in less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect choice when you want to whip up a quick entree for family or friends.Celebrate with a Gourmet Brunch![]() (Family Features) As warmer weather approaches, so do a variety of special occasions. If you're looking for an easy way to celebrate with family and friends, brunch is a perfect option. Not too early and not too late, everyone can enjoy a hearty meal and good company before the day gets busy. A brunch menu can include both elegant options and classic favorites, so it's easy to customize to fit the occasion and your guests' preferences. With so many possibilities, brunch is the perfect opportunity to get creative. Develop your own versions of traditional dishes by incorporating new ingredients, such as using duck bacon to change up your menu and add some extra flair. With a rich, hearty texture, duck bacon is more like pork bacon than traditional poultry bacons. Made from duck breast meat, it brings a touch of sophistication to any menu item. Plus, duck bacon is healthier for you, too. With 26 percent less sodium and 57 percent less fat than traditional pork bacon, it's the perfect way for you to enjoy great flavor without the extra calories. For an exciting added element, use duck bacon with this version of classic Eggs Benedict. This brunch recipe feeds a crowd and is ready in less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect choice when you want to whip up a quick entree for family or friends. Find more brunch recipes and information about cooking with duck at mapleleaffarms.com. ![]() Eggs Benedict with Duck Bacon Hollandaise Sauce:
Maple Leaf Farms
(BPT) - "Date night" is an activity people typically look forward to with great anticipation. The good news is, your plans don't have to be elaborate for evenings together to turn out romantic and fun. Sometimes the most-satisfying date nights are the relaxing evenings spent at home with the one you love, while enjoying a simple meal you've prepared with each other. For planning your next dinner rendezvous, here are five great reasons to put seafood on the menu. * Seafood is a healthier dinner option. Seafood and other lean meats both average about 45 calories per ounce, but seafood usually contains more "good fats" that have been shown to lower cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Many types of seafood, such as salmon, also are rich in vitamin B-12, which supports your metabolism and neurological functioning. * Seafood offers plenty of flavor possibilities. Far beyond what beef or chicken might have to offer, seafood provides an ocean of flavor choices. Start your date night with shrimp - America's favorite seafood - and then move on to crab cakes or lobster if you're looking to really impress. Or, if fish is more to your liking, salmon, flounder, or tuna can all be prepared in a variety of ways. * A dish to match your evening. Date night is what you make of it. You could go casual with shrimp cocktail or pasta, or you can make it a more-formal affair, accompanied by a fine wine. Whatever type of evening you plan, there's a seafood dish to match. * Seafood's a cinch to prepare. No need to spend an entire evening preparing something complicated. A quick visit to the frozen food aisle will help you get cooking with brands like SeaPak offering effortless meal solutions to help make date night a breeze. For more recipe inspiration and ideas, head to SeaPak.com. * You can get creative. To prepare a tasty seafood dish, the only limit is your imagination. Once you decide what you're in the mood for, you can find a seafood option to match. For example, this Shrimp Diavolo recipe is sure to seduce your taste buds. Whatever path you choose, the food should match the mood when it comes to your date night menu. For an unforgettable, relaxing evening together, don't forget to add seafood to the mix.
It’s the perfect time of year to gather loved ones for a leisurely meal, then linger over dessert as you enjoy this season of refreshment. No dessert menu is complete without an array of treats, and these creamy, homemade Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars are the perfect way to put a sweet finishing touch on your celebrations. Or go for a crowd pleaser with this Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert and its smooth, velvety texture and plump, juicy cherries.
Sweet Spring Desserts![]() (Family Features) When the scent of fresh blooms begins to fill the air, it’s a sure sign that spring has sprung. It’s the perfect time of year to gather loved ones for a leisurely meal, then linger over dessert as you enjoy this season of refreshment. No dessert menu is complete without an array of treats, and these creamy, homemade Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars are the perfect way to put a sweet finishing touch on your celebrations. Or go for a crowd pleaser with this Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert and its smooth, velvety texture and plump, juicy cherries. The secret ingredient in each of these desserts is Lucky Leaf Fruit Fillings, which are GMO-free and contain plenty of fruit – and no high-fructose corn syrup – for exceptional tasting desserts every time. With popular flavors like apple, blueberry, cherry and strawberry, you have plenty of convenient, versatile ways to dress up desserts. Find more tasty treats for all your spring entertaining at luckyleaf.com. Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars
![]() Cherry Cheesecake Lush Dessert
Lucky Leaf baking
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