February makes us think of the color red – red hearts for Valentine’s Day and National Wear Red Day. National Wear Red Day is this Friday, February 2^nd and the American Heart Association wants you to wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. Chances are that you know someone who has been directly affected by heart disease and stroke because cardiovascular disease claims the lives of 1 in 3 women, which is about one woman every 80 seconds. Heart disease is largely preventable. Here’s what you can do now to reduce your risk: (1) don’t smoke or quit smoking; (2) eat heart healthy foods such as making half of your plate fruits and vegetables; (3) Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days a week; and (4) ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.

Come and join us at the Person County Senior Center on Wednesday February 14th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. for our “Love Your Heart” Workshop. We will be celebrating American Heart Health month providing information about heart health, cholesterol, and good fats, versus bad fats, as well as have a try at some healthier snacks. This workshop is free and all are welcome.

Below is a delicious snack recipe from the American Heart Association website. For more information on our Food for Thought programs, activities and recipes, check us out online.

Sweet Potato Nachos

From Heart.org – serves 6

• 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced into ¼ inch thick rounds
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/3 cup no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/3 cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, rinsed and drained
• 1/3 cup chopped avocado

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two medium baking pans with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray. In a large bowl, toss together the sweet potatoes, oil, paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder. Spread the sweet potato mixture in a single layer in the baking pans.  Bake for 10 minutes. Using a spatula, turn over the sweet potatoes. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until crisp.  Remove the pans from the oven. Sprinkle the beans and Cheddar over the sweet potatoes. Bake for 2 minutes, or until the Cheddar melts. Sprinkle with the tomato and avocado.