Heart Healthy Eats: Shrimp♥

I’m a die-hard seafood fanatic and will always defend my devotion to those tasty creatures under the sea by referring to the many health benefits that fish and other water foodstuffs yield. Being that it is American Heart Month, I think it’s perfect timing to discuss one of my favorite seafood eats—shrimp. These scrumptious crustaceans are beneficial to the cardiovascular system as a whole and help lower blood pressure.
Research studies have shown a diet sufficient in shrimp raises HDL (good cholesterol; see this post for more information on “good” and “bad” cholesterol) levels and decreases levels of triglycerides (a form in which fat is carried through the blood). Shrimp is also an excellent source of nutrients that are needed to ward off heart disease, like vitamin B12. Omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent blood clots as well as heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and inflammation, are found in shrimp. Read more about the benefits of shrimp here.

Here is another heart healthy recipe courtesy of Eating Well that incorporates two heart-friendly ingredients: shrimp and broccoli. Whip up this tasty recipe and throw on a side of brown rice and you’ve got yourself the perfect dinner meal. Eat to your health!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Flickr

Hearty Breakfast: Frittatas

We’ve all been told not to skip out on breakfast and that it’s the most important meal of the day. It’s true, having a plentiful meal in the morning charges you up and gets you well and ready for the day ahead. But sometimes we get a little lazy and either grab something prepackaged and eat on the go or pickup a skimpy snack on the way to work or school when in fact the best breakfast is always homemade. What makes a homemade breakfast even more rewarding and beneficial is when it’s packed with ingredients that will help your body function at tip-top levels. Frittatas are a hearty Italian dish that are usually served for breakfast but since they're so fulfilling they can serve as a lunch break eat or a quick fix for a delicious dinner meal.

This scrumptious broccoli and potato frittata recipe from The Food Channel is perfect for a satisfying breakfast. It adds nutritious ingredients including antioxidant rich oregano, rosemary and thyme as well as broccoli which aids in heart health, fiber rich potatoes (as long as you keep the nutritious skin on), and vitamin enriched tomatoes. Once you make this easy recipe you’ll definitely never miss out on a hearty homemade breakfast again.

Note: The mouthwatering photo at the top of this post features a frittata made with smoked salmon, dill, capers and onions--a great alternative recipe would be to substitute some of the ingredients in the recipe above with these healthy ingredients or even add them to this recipe. Either way the result will be a delicious one.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Flickr

Heart Healthy Dinner: Salmon♥

My absolute favorite food has got to be salmon. I enjoy it every which way from smoked and cured to grilled or broiled. There are so many ways to season and cook salmon that there is no way you could get bored of eating it. Being that it’s American Heart Month, it’s only appropriate to bring up salmon. Salmon is chock-full of heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) which are essential to human health but not produced by the body. According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, Omega-3 fatty acids decrease chances of a sudden heart attack and plaque on arteries as well as lowers blood pressure. The AHA recommends eating Omega-3 rich fish like salmon at least 2 times a week for optimum heart health. To learn more about the healthy benefits of salmon read this informative post or go to SalmonFacts.org.

Here’s a heart healthy dinner recipe for succulent salmon from Eating Well. Throw on a side of steamed veggies and roasted potatoes and you’ve got yourself a meal your heart will thank you for.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of cwirthy.com

Slurpalicious Smoothies

Ice-cold fruit blended drinks, or smoothies, are not only tasty but they're really nutritious. As I scoured the web in search of yummy smoothie recipes I couldn't make up my mind as to which one I wanted to try. They all looked and sounded delish. So I thought I would go ahead and share some of the recipes I found that I'll be trying the next few days. Follow these slurp-worthy formulas and drink away...Enjoy!

Passion Fruit, Pineapple and Mango Smoothie
This tropical treat is packed with exotic fruits that you can actually find at your local supermarket. This smoothie recipe is chock-full of antioxidant infused ingredients and a hint of spice to put a little kick in your step.
Courtesy of bbcgoodfood.com



Raspberry Smoothie
Raspberries, bananas and fresh orange juice team up to create this fruity blast. This recipe adds a little bit of vanilla yogurt to give it that creamy consistency. Yum!
Courtesy of myrecipes.com





Banana Berry Smoothie
This tasty recipe adds honey to the mix to make it a thick and truly sweet treat. The sticky honey also enhances the flavor of the bananas and strawberries.
Courtesy of myrecipes.com






Raspberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Alright, so it’s okay to have a decadent smoothie every once in a while. This recipe is more dessert than smoothie but who can say "no" to a liquefied cheesecake? Not me!
Courtesy of Old Orchard Juice






Vanilla Honey-Nut Smoothie
This hearty breakfast treat will have you savoring every mouthful. This recipe blends soy milk, frozen yogurt, tofu, honey and peanut butter to create a delightful smoothie that’s like no other.
Courtesy of myrecipes.com




Blueberry Smoothie
What’s a smoothie without blueberries? Infused with healthy antioxidants and a long list of health benefits, blueberries are one of the most health boosting foods you could consume. Break out the berries , follow this tasty recipe and drink to your health!
Courtesy of dietsinreview.com