February is all about hearts and love. Celebrate American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day with your loved ones by sharing meals that make their heart stronger and healthier.

Your heart is a muscle that needs exercise in order to stay strong. Heart Disease continues to be the No. 1 killer in the USA especially in women. A heart healthy diet helps to reduce risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Increasing your intake of omega-3 foods such as fish, nuts and plant based oils and adding at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily to your lifestyle will keep your heart strong and healthy. For additional information, visit ABCS of Heart Health.

Now, for a Valentine celebration, start with a glass of red wine and tomato basil bruschetta. A glass of red wine has compounds associated with reducing the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes and olive oil give you lycopene a natural antioxidant that reduces inflammation and healthy fat that helps lower cholesterol.

For the main course skip the red meat. Serve chicken or fish with green vegetables like spinach, kale or broccoli. Lastly, enjoy a heart healthy dessert: Zucchini Chocolate Cake, loaded with antioxidants yet so delicious you won’t taste the zucchini, we promise.

We hope you enjoy our delicious ways to get a healthy heart for longer LOVE.

CUPID'S CREATIONS

RECIPE: Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Takes time but WORTH IT!

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil

• 1/2 cup butter (one stick)

• 2 cups sugar

• 3 eggs beaten

• 1 Tablespoon vanilla

• 2 cups flour

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/3 cup sour cream or buttermilk

• 3 cups peeled, coarsely grated zucchini (about 3 zucchini)

• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (optional)

PREPARATION:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

• Melt chocolate and oil in a saucepan on low heat or in the microwave.

• Cream butter until light and fluffy.

• Add sugar, eggs and vanilla. BEAT WELL.

• Add melted chocolate and mix well.

• Sift together dry ingredients and stir in, alternating with sour cream.

• Add zucchini and nuts.

• Pour into lightly greased & floured two 9 inch cake pans or a 13 X 9 inch rectangular pan.

• Bake for 40 minutes.

NOTE: Check at 35 minutes, best if a LITTLE sticky

TIPS: for a Valentine Feast

CAKE TOPPING

• Top with fruit or dried nuts instead of frosting.

• Lightly sprinkle with powder sugar.

• Serve with low-fat ice cream. Vanilla ice cream works well.

• Cream Cheese Frosting: If you must have frosting: Beat together 4 ounces of cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 cups powdered sugar.

BRUSCHETTA

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tomatoes. Roma are the best right now

• 1/2 onion

• 4 cloves of garlic

• 1 bunch of fresh basil

• 4 tablespoons of olive oil

• Loaf of Italian bread

PREPARATION:

• Dice the tomato, onion, garlic and basil.

• Mix together with olive oil.

• Cut the bread into 1/4 inch thick slices and toast.

• Heap as much of the tomato mixture as you want on each slice of toast.