SHOWYOUR HEART SOME LOVE 4 Preventive Steps You Can Take During American Heart Month In addition to the chocolate hearts and heartfelt notes we will send this month for Valentine’s Day, February is also American Heart Month. The goal is to consider the ways we can improve our heart health and lower our risk of heart disease — the No. 1 killer in the United States. Let’s change that statistic. Here are four steps you can take to do just that this February. Eat Well One of the easiest — and tastiest — ways to boost your heart’s function is to eat a diet rich in heart-friendly vitamins and nutrients. Foods like leafy greens, salmon, berries, beans, and dark chocolate have been shown to be the best for your ticker. You can determine if a food is heart-healthy by looking for the American Heart Association seal or good monounsaturated fats on the nutrition label. Reduce Stress Daily expectations and pressures can create stress, which has adverse effects on your health. As your mental health declines, you may experience nausea, insomnia, headaches, and, yes, heart conditions. Stress increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Prevention is simple: Take time to relax! Some tactics include reading, walking, or meditating. Get Moving Like your biceps or quadriceps, your heart is a muscle that needs to be worked — and beat faster — to get stronger. The good news is that you don’t have to exercise very hard to make this happen! Go for a walk, bike ride, hike, or swim or do other joint-friendly and easy activities to get your heart working. Stabilize Chronic Conditions In recent decades, health experts have come to better understand the different ways the body and heart are connected. For example, a stroke can cause vascular dementia. Similarly, those with diabetes face an increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Managing your diabetes and other conditions, like kidney and liver disease, can also protect your heart. Talk with your doctor about the best methods for managing your conditions and protecting your heart.
l Spouses Should Discuss
SICK OR PASS AWAY
accounts for paying bills. We would encourage you to change this. You don’t have to pay bills together. (How’s that for date night?) But you should both know which bills get paid when, how to access accounts, and the process for saving and spending. 2. Determine Powers of Attorney: Both financial and medical directives need to be made prior to an accident. This ensures the other spouse — or whomever you decide is best — is able to make the financial and medical decisions that person would want should they become unable to make these choices themselves. 3. Create a Will: When a person dies without a will, the courts will determine who gets which of the deceased’s assets. This could mean their wishes are not fulfilled and could create animosity in the family. A will and other estate planning directives can avoid this. If this is your second marriage, this may be more vital as families and expectations blend together. These conversations can be awkward, but with the help of a trusted expert, you can ensure your wishes are met. Begin planning for the inevitable so you can enjoy today worry-free. Call Trinity Elder Law to get started or to update your plan, and please direct those who may need help to us, too!
Strawberry Kissed Almond Butter Muffins
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
1 cup oat flour
• •
1 cup ripe bananas, mashed 3/4 cup natural creamy almond butter (can substitute creamy peanut butter)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup strawberry fruit spread, divided (we recommend Bonne Maman INTENSE)
• •
2 large eggs
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
•
1 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
5. Evenly divide batter into liners. Add 1 tsp strawberry fruit spread to the top of each muffin. 6. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the spread into the batter. 7. Bake for 22–27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 8. Transfer muffins to wire rack to cool and enjoy!
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin
with liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, mix bananas, almond butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. 4. Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
For more heart-healthy tips, visit the American Heart Association online at Heart.org.
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