Get That Heart Pumping! Celebrate American Heart Month With These 3 Tips
Another easy method is to park a little farther away next time you go to the grocery store and then make yourself walk down every aisle, even if you don’t need anything. This technique gets in those steps without extra planning or time. Start an aerobic exercise program! Any exercise that increases your heart rate and pushes more oxygenated blood through your body is considered aerobic. These exercises are perfect for heart health because they help condition your cardiovascular system. Common aerobic exercises include yoga, Pilates, weight lifting, group fitness classes, and working out at home or in a gym. It doesn’t matter which exercise you choose to start. The important thing is you get your body moving and your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes each day, five days a week.
So, instead of frozen Brussels sprouts covered in a pre-made sauce, buy the Brussels sprouts fresh and make the sauce yourself at home. Incorporate cardio. When people think of cardio, it’s usually something super intense, like sprinting, but that isn’t required! Regular walking is great for your heart, and we recommend aiming for 10,000 steps a day. This may seem like a lot of steps, especially if you aren’t tracking how much you walk now, but there are some effortless ways to ensure you get those steps in. The first way is to divide your walks into smaller, more manageable chunks. So, instead of one 30-minute walk, try to take three 10-minute walks. You can even aim for one walk before work, one at lunch, and one after dinner. FETA CHICKEN BURGERS
February is American Heart Month, and with heart disease being a leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association, citizens all across the country are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular fitness.
The great thing is heart disease is preventable, and you can do a few
simple things this month to improve your cardiovascular health. So, to celebrate, here are three tips to keep your heart healthy! Focus on healthy eating . You don’t need a strict cleanse or diet to maintain a healthy heart; you just need to shift your mindset to focus more on nutritious food options! For example, try making your meals from only whole foods. This might sound like a significant change, but it just means avoiding processed foods with long ingredient lists.
HAVE A LAUGH
Try these delicious chicken burgers with a Mediterranean spin on the classic sandwich we all love. Featuring Greek- style toppings and seasonings, this recipe is refreshing and super healthy too.
Ingredients
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1/2 tsp Greek seasoning 1/4 tsp black pepper
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1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 1/2 lbs lean ground chicken 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
BURGERS: •
1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red pepper
6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted
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1 tsp garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat broiler and mix chopped cucumber and mayonnaise. 2. For the burgers, mix the red pepper, garlic powder, Greek seasoning, and black pepper. Add chicken and cheese; mix lightly but thoroughly (the mixture will be sticky). Shape into 6 patties about 1/2-inch thick. 3. Broil burgers, remembering to cook both sides thoroughly. Serve on buns with cucumber sauce. If desired, top with lettuce and tomato. Enjoy!
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